TWO: VERBS Flashcards
The verb is meant to express the following seven things:
- Action
- Being
- Condition
- Tense
- Voice
- Person
- Mood
By their spelling what is it that verbs are able to communicate (usually involves more than one word):
- Who is involved in the action.
- Whether that “who” causes or receives the action.
- In a limited way, the attitude of the writer toward the action.
In fact, about the only thing the verb doesn’t do is what?
Indicate the gender of a person involved in the action.
INFLECTION
This is the spelling changes a verb undergoes to indicate verb variants.
What are the three grammatical terms that often involve verbs?
- Number & person
- Number
- person
As it related to verbs what does number refer to?
Number, as it relates to verbs simply refers to “how many.”
When it comes to using verbs as it relates to number - what are the options?
There are only two “number” options: Sing. (one) & Plural (more than one).
What does person refer to?
Person refers to “Who” (we introduced this concept in our discussion on pronouns and POV).
What are the three “persons” & what can they be?
There are three “persons”: first, second, and third, each one of which can be singular or plural.
What are the three groups involving plural and number - when it comes to the simple present tense and familiar verb “be”?
What are the three types of other tenses?
Simple tenses, perfect tenses, and progressive tenses.
What are the two simple tenses?
Simple past tense and simple future tense.
What are the three perfect tenses?
Present, past, and future.
The progressive tense does what?
It described an ongoing action.
What are the three other principle parts of a verb besides present tense?
The three principle parts are the past, the past participle, and the present participle.
What are the four principle parts of tense?
- Present tense
- Past
- Past participle
- Present participle
How is the past and past participle usually formed?
By adding “ed” to the end of a word.
How is the present participle formed?
By adding “ing”
Verbs that have the “ed”/”ing” style of inflection are called what?
regular verbs
Verbs that change their spelling in some other way (other than “ed”/”ing”) are called what?
irregular verbs.
Which tenses fall under which forms?
- Present tense: 1 & 2
- Past: 3
- Past participle: 4,5,6
- Present participle: 7,8,9,10,11, & 12
For #s 1-12 identify what the inflection is for each tense?
The five culprits of subject - verb agreement errors or s-v agr errors include the following:
- indefinite pronoun
- collective noun
- compound subjects
- alternate subjects
- quantities
What is an antecedent?
It is the noun that the pronoun is referring to.
What are the two grammatical rules involving pronouns has to do with what?
It has to do with:
1. Has to do with pronoun-antecedent agreement.
2. Has to do with s-v agreement.
What is the rule involving 1. pronoun-antecedent agreement?
The pronoun must agree in number with its antecedent.
What is the rule involving 2. s-v agr?
The verb must agree in number and person with its subject.
Both of these sentences are examples of what:
They’re both involving the correct use of s-v agr & pronoun-antecedent agreement.
When transitioning from the first to the second sentence - what should be noted about what happens to the noun and verb?
Both the pronoun (his -> their) and the verb (tends -> tend) change when the noun (Bucky -> brothers) changes from singular to plural.
What kind of s-v & pronoun agreement is happening in sentence #1?
“Bucky” is a singular noun and so it takes the singular form of the verb “tends” & the singular pronoun: “his.”
What kind of s-v & pronoun-antecedent agreement is happening in #2?
“Brothers” is a plural noun, taking the plural form of the verb “tend” and the plural pronoun “their.”
The following are examples of what?
- everybody
-everyone
They’re indefinite pronouns.
Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that are what?
These are pronouns where - even no matter how plural they may seem: everybody, everyone - are in fact singular. Therefore, they always take a singular verb.
The following are examples of what?
-team
-band
-committee
They’re examples of collective nouns.
Collective nouns refer to what?
These are nouns that refer to a group of things as a unit (team, band, committee).
With collective nouns what kind of verbs should be used?
It is almost always preferable to use singular forms of the verb for such nouns.
However, what if those within the collection of individuals are acting individually?
Then, the plural must be used.
What is a compound subject and how are they connected?
Compound subjects are two or more nouns or pronouns connected by commas and/or the word “and.”
With compound subjects what kind of verbs should be used?
By definition , such subjects are plural and require plural verbs.
What do alternate subjects involve?
They do involve two or more nouns or pronouns connected by “either/or” or “neither/nor.”
How should the verbs agree with the alternate subjects?
The verb must agree with the nearest alternate subject.
The following is an example of what?
Two plus two is (or are) four.
It is an example of quantities. Using the singular or plural form of the verb:
Two plus two is (or are) four.”
When it comes to quantities - what is this an example of?
Here you go; $15.96 is your change.
This involves quantities. Singular is preferable when dollars and cents are combined into a single amount.
When it comes to quantities what is the rule?
The rule is as follows: When speaking about money and other such quantities, you may use either the singular or the plural form of the verb.
The following is an example of what?
one hundred miles (unit) is the distance we traveled.
It involves quantities in which the subject is a unit, so the verb is singular.
The following is an example of what?
There were a hundred of miles (a number) left to travel.
This involves quantities in which the subject is a number of items, so the verb is plural.
How does the context help you to consider whether to choose a plural or singular verb?
The context of the sentence tells you whether the subject is intended as a unit (sing.) or a number of items (plural).
In an inverted sentence structure what is happening?
The subject is following the verb.
What are these examples of?
They’re inverted sentence structures in which the subject is following the verb.
Why is this sentence a perfect representation of what should be paid attention to when it comes to choosing the correct form of verb?
There were left for Goldilocks only one chair that was too big and one that was too small.
Since this sentence:
There were left for Goldilocks only one chair that was too big and one that was too small.
Contains a compound subject - this should be paid attention to because compound subjects are plural and so that’s why the verb has to be plural: “were.”
We know that a linking verb does what?
We know that a linking verb joins the subject with a word or words that provide additional information about the subject itself.
What is the “subjective complement”?
The “subjective complement” is that which is connected to the linking verb & it gives additional info. about the subject itself.
Frequently, the subjective complement is what when the subject is plural?
Frequently, the “subjective complement” is singular when the subject is plural.
Frequently, the “subjective complement” is what when the subject is singular?
Frequently, the “subjective complement” is plural when the subject is singular.
What is the rule governing linking verbs & the subject?
The linking verb agrees in number with the subject.
When does the subject occur with its corresponding linking verb?
The subject comes before the linking verb.
When does the subjective complement occur with its corresponding linking verb?
The subjective complement comes after the linking verb.
The following sentence is an example of what?
Our most serious problem is indifferent voters.
It’s an example of a singular subject and its corresponding subjective complement which has to be plural.
This sentence in an instance of what?
Indifferent voters are our most serious problem.
It is an instance of an effected verb “are” in an inverted sentence in which the subjective complement is first, thereby becoming the subject.
INTERRUPTIONS
These are phrases and clauses that occur before, within, or after the basic sentence.
What is the “case” in grammar?
The case is the grammatical function of a noun or pronoun.
What are the three cases in grammar?
They are subjective (he), objective (him) and possessive (his).
What do interruptions not change?
They do not change the form of the verb in the basic sentence, any more than they do the case or number of pronouns relating to the basic sentence.
This sentence is an instance of what?
Conrad Schuster spend his vacation at Lake Placid.
It is an instance of an incorrect interruption.
How might this incorrect interruption be corrected?
Conrad schuster, together with several other Philadelphia lawyers, spend their vacations at Lake Placid.
It can be correct by saying:
Conrad Schuster, together with several other Philadelphia lawyers, spends his vacation at Lake Placid.
*Spends” is a transitive verb…there are two kinds of linking verbs: transitive & intransitive.
In this corrected interruption sentence where is the interruption occurring?
Conrad Schuster, together with several other Philadelphia lawyers, spends his vacation at Lake Placid.
The interruption is after the subject: Conrad Schuster.
Why does the plural noun lawyer in the interruption create a dangerous temptation for writers?
Conrad Schuster, together with several other Philadelphia lawyers, spends his vacation at Lake Placid.
The plural noun lawyers occurs just before the main verb: “spends” which tempts the writer to change the main verb to plural (spend), but this would be wrong.
These sentences are examples of what?
These sentences have interrupting phrases instead of interrupting clauses.
What is the difference between the two interrupting phrases within each of the two sentences?
- Interrupting phrase is: “of those children” & 2. Is an interrupting phrase that is much longer: “of those children who seem afraid” that is occurring at the end of the sentence.
So far, we have discussed what two types of verbs?
Action and linking verbs.
What are the two categories of action verbs:
- Intransitive verbs
- Transitive verbs
What does the transitive verb do?
The transitive verb expresses an action taken by the subject toward an object.
Why is the intransitive verb different from the transitive verb?
The intransitive verb does not take on an object because the subject is acting upon itself.
The following are examples of what?
He hit John on the nose.
Bob ran the copier all day.
He failed the test.
These are sentences with transitive verbs in which there is an action upon an object by the subject.
In each sentence with transitive verbs what is the subject and what is the object?’
He hit John on the nose.
Bob ran the copier all day.
He failed the test.
The following are examples of what?
These are sentences with intransitive verbs in which the subject is action upon their self.
In each sentence with intransitive verbs what is the subject?
The snow fell.
The dog barks all night.
He failed
What is the reason for why it is important to know the difference between an intransitive verb and a transitive verb?
There are verbs that are similar in appearance, but can either be exclusively transitive or exclusively intransitive.
What are the most frequently abused verbs when it comes to using them as intransitive vs. transitive?
lie/lay
rise/raise
sit/set
These are examples of what?
lie
rise
sit
These are intransitive verbs that never take on an object.
These are examples of what?
lay
raise
set
These are transitive verbs that always take on an object.
This sentence is an example of what?
This is an intransitive verb & transitive verb both being used.
In this sentence what is the intransitive verb and what is its tense?
The intransitive verb is “had been lying” which is a past perfect progressive tense of “lie.”
How come with an intransitive verb an object is not being taken on?
No object is being taken on because the action applies only to the subject himself.
In the sentence what is the transitive verb?
He had been lying in bed for six months and was so weak that he couldn’t lay the book on the bedside table.
In the sentence the transitive verb is lay = lay.
Why is the transitive verb lay different from the intransitive verb lie?
He had been lying in bed for six months and was so weak that he couldn’t lay the book on the bedside table.
Since lay is a transitive verb, it must take on an object, namely, the book.
This sentence contains what?
Johnny will sit still if we don’t set the radio near his chair.
The sentence contains both an intransitive and transitive verb (sit/set).
In this sentence what is the intransitive verb and why is it intransitive?
Johnny will sit still if we don’t set the radio near his chair.
Due to “sit” only effecting the subject (like: lying) it is the intransitive verb.
In this sentence what is the transitive verb and why is it transitive?
Johnny will sit still if we don’t set the radio near his chair.
What are the three verb moods?
- indicative
- subjective
- imperative
What is the most common verb mood?
Indicative mood.
In what instances does the indicative mood occur?
When it comes to making simple statements.
The following is an example of what?
I know the window was shut.
This is a simple statement in which the indicative verb mood is used.
The indicative mood in this sentence is trying to do what?
I know the window was shut.
The indicative mood is trying to Tell.
The following is an example of what?
This is an imperative verb mood being used.
What is the imperative verb mood trying to do in this sentence?
It is trying to command.
The following is an example of what?
It is an example of the subjective verb mood being used.
What is the subjunctive verb mood trying to do?
The subjunctive verb mood wishes or speculates.
Mood indicates what?
How the writer thinks about a subject.
SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
If you wish something were true or speculate about what might happen.
IMPERATIVE MOOD
Give a command
How do you let a reader know whether you’re trying to communicate a subjunctive mood or an imperative mood?
By either changing the form of the verb or by the omission of certain words.
By using the subjunctive mood/verb “were” what is the wife communicating to the husband?
By using the subjunctive mood/verb “were,” she is not confessing, but rather inviting her husband to consider a hypothetical question.
This question is an example of using what?
So what if my lover was here?
The use of the subjunctive mood in a different situation where “was” is used instead of “were.”
By changing the subjunctive mood verb - what is the wife now communicating to the husband?
So what if my lover was here?
She is now indeed confessing, and wants to know what the husband intends to do about the fact.
This is an example of what?
The captain ordered that the sails be hoisted and the anchor be weighed.
This is an example of the subjunctive being used in a situation where you might expect the imperative.
In this sentences - in what way is the subjunctive being used as opposed to the imperative?
The captain ordered that the sails be hoisted and the anchor be weighed.
You might expect the imperative since the captain is giving an order, but - since the desired condition of the sails and anchor are not yet fact - the subjunctive is used.
The following sentence is an example of what?
The captain saw that the sails were hoisted and the anchor was weighed.
Here, the indicative mood is being used after an order had been carried out.
The following is an example of what?
The imperative mood being used to give a command or direct someone in the performance of a task.
How is the imperative mood created in this sentence?
“(You) Hoist the sails! (You) Weigh anchor!” yelled the captain.
The imperative mood is created by removing the implied subject, which in English is always “you.”
Now we are hearing the captain give the actual order - in contrast to the first sentence, where we are merely reporting what the order was.
What are the two kinds of voice?
- Active Voice
- Passive Voice
The following sentence is an example of what?
We all had a good time.
It is a sentence in which Active voice is employed.
The following is an example of what?
A good time was had by all.
It is an instance in which passive voice is employed.
Between these two sentences - why is active voice better?
Active voice is direct and forceful in the first sentence, but the passive voice in the second sentence is indirect and weak.
In what instance will you apply active voice?
The active voice is employed when the subject you are writing about is causing the action.
In what instance is passive voice employed?
The passive voice is employed when certain subjects are being acted upon.
What is a good rule to follow when it comes to the use of passive voice?
Only use passive voice when necessary.
What are the only situation where passive voice becomes necessary to use?
Always use passive voice when the action is more important than the “actor” (or when the actor is not specific).
The following is an example of What?
The president was elected.
It is an example of passive voice being used.
Why is this sentence a good use of passive voice?
The president was elected.
Because the passive statement of events is more natural than “We elected the president.”
The following is an effective use of what?
Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Boothe.
It is an effective use of passive voice.
How come the following is a good use of employing passive voice?
Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Boothe.
It’s a good use of passive voice because the action and its object (Lincoln) are the most important ideas in the sentence.
By using passive voice as opposed to active voice where is the emphasis being placed?
The emphasis is being placed on the object and less on the subject.
What kind of words are verbals??
Verbals are words that are based on verbs but that aren’t used as verbs in the sentence.
Why is it important to recognize verbals?
It is important to recognize a verbal so that you don’t mistake them for verbs.
What are the three types of verbals?
- The participle
- The gerund
- The infinitive
The participle serves what part of speech?
The participle serves as an adjective.
In the present tense, how is the participle recognized?
The participle can be recognized by the “ing” ending.
What is the most common form of the past participle?
“en” ending is the common past participle.
In this sentence what is the relationship to the verb “break” and the corresponding verbal present participle?
Breaking waves are music to my ears.
The verb “break is used with the participle to create a verbal which is an adjective that also describes “waves.”
This is an example of what?
Breaking waves are music to my ears.
This is an example of a verbal participle “ing” being used.
This sentence is an example of what?
Broken dreams are not easily mended.
It is an example of the past participle “en” being used.
In the above sentence what is the relationship to the verb: “break” and the corresponding past participle?
The verb” “break” is used with the past participle: “broken” to create a verbal wish is an adjective which describes “dreams.”
These two sentences feature what being used?
Swimming is a healthy sport.
Horseback riding is better than swimming.
These two sentences feature a gerund that is being used.
What does the gerund look like?
The gerund looks exactly like the present participle.
What does the gerund serve as?
The gerund serves as a noun.
What is the infinitive that is also a verbal?
It is “to,” which precedes the verbal.
The Infinitive verbal may serve as what parts of speech?
The verbal may serve as a noun, adjective, or even an adverb.
The following is an example of what?
I have an appointment to keep.
The adjective “to keep” is modifying “appointment.”
In this sentence what is the verbal infinitive acting as & what is it modifying?
He joined the club to learn about photography.
The adverb “to learn” is modifying “join.”
In this sentence what is the verbal infinitive acting as?
“To swim” is harder than “to run.”
Both “To swim” & “to run” are acting as nouns.
When you come across verbals what must you always remember?
When you come across verbals, you must always remember that their function in the sentence determines what part of speech they are.
