Sentence Punctuation PatternsSummary:This handout describes eight sentence punctuation patterns with examples.Contributors:Dana Lynn Driscoll, Allen BrizeeLast Edited: 2011-10-05 01:09:36

To punctuate a sentence, you can use and combine some of these patterns. For more information on independent and dependent clauses plus independent and dependent markers, see our handouts on those subjects.

Pattern One: Simple sentenceThis pattern is an example of a simple sentence:

Independent clause [ . ]

Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma.

Pattern Two : Compound Sentence

This pattern is an example of a compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction:

Independent clause [ , ] coordinating conjunction independent clause [ . ]

There are seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma,but they don't

know the reasons for it.

Pattern Three: Compound SentenceThis pattern is an example of a compound sentence with a semicolon.

Independent clause [ ; ] independent clause [ . ]

Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma;they are unsure

of its cause.

Pattern Four: Compound Sentence

This pattern is an example of a compound sentence with an independent marker.

Independent clause [ ; ] independent marker [ , ] independent clause [ . ]

Examples of independent markers are the following: therefore, moreover, thus, consequently, however, also.

Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma;therefore, they

have called for more research into its causes.

Pattern Five: Complex SentenceThis pattern is an example of a complex sentence with a dependent marker.

Dependent marker dependent clause[ , ] Independent clause[ . ]

Examples of dependent markers are as follows: because, before, since, while, although, if, until, when, after, as, as if.

Example: Because doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, they

have called for more research into its causes.

Pattern Six: Complex SentenceThis pattern is an example of a complex sentence with a dependent marker.

Independent clause dependent marker dependent clause [ . ]

Examples of dependent markers are as follows: because, before, since, while, although, if, until, when, after, as, as if.

Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthmabecause it is a

common, treatable illness.

Pattern SevenThis pattern includes an independent clause with an embedded non-essential clause or phrase

First part of an independent clause [ , ] non-essential clause or phrase, rest of the independent clause [ . ]

A non-essential clause or phrase is one that can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence or making it ungrammatical. In other words, the non-essential clause or phrase gives additional information, but the sentence can stand alone without it.

Example: Many doctors, including both pediatricians and family practice

physicians, are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma.

Pattern EightThis pattern includes an independent clause with an embedded essential clause or phrase

First part of an independent clause essential clause or phrase rest of the independent clause [ . ]

An essential clause or phrase is one that cannot be removed without changing the overall meaning of the sentence.

Example: Many doctors who are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma have

called for more research into its causes.

Identifying Independent and Dependent ClausesSummary:This handout defines dependent and independent clauses and explores how they are treated in standard usage.Contributors:Chris Berry, Allen BrizeeLast Edited: 2010-04-17 06:01:23

When you want to use commas and semicolons in sentences and when you are concerned about whether a sentence is or is not a fragment, a good way to start is to be able to recognize dependent and independent clauses. The definitions offered here will help you with this.

Independent Clause

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

Dependent Clause

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.

When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (What happened when he

studied? The thought is incomplete.)

Dependent Marker Word

A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.

When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy.

Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever,whether, and while.

Connecting dependent and independent clauses

There are two types of words that can be used as connectors at the beginning of an independent clause: coordinating conjunctions and independent marker words.

1. Coordinating Conjunction

The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the beginning of an independent clause are and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet. When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction:

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to concentrate

because of the noise.

2. Independent Marker Word

An independent marker word is a connecting word used at the beginning of an independent clause. These words can always begin a sentence that can stand alone. When the second independent clause in a sentence has an independent marker word, a semicolon is needed before the independent marker word.

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz; however, it was hard to

concentrate because of the noise.

Some common independent markers are: also, consequently, furthermore, however,moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.

Some Common Errors to AvoidComma Splices

A comma splice is the use of a comma between two independent clauses. You can usually fix the error by changing the comma to a period and therefore making the two clauses into two separate sentences, by changing the comma to a semicolon, or by making one clause dependent by inserting a dependent marker word in front of it.

Incorrect: I like this class, it is very interesting.

Correct: I like this class. It is very interesting. (or) I like this class; it is very interesting. (or) I like this class, and it is very interesting. (or) I like this class because it is very interesting. (or) Because it is very interesting, I like this class.

Fused Sentences

Fused sentences happen when there are two independent clauses not separated by any form of punctuation. This error is also known as a run-on sentence. The error can sometimes be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to separate the two sentences.

Incorrect: My professor is intelligent I've learned a lot from her.

Correct: My professor is intelligent. I've learned a lot from her. (or) My professor is intelligent; I've learned a lot from her. (or) My professor is intelligent, and I've learned a lot from her. (or) My professor is intelligent; moreover, I've learned a lot from her.

Sentence Fragments

Sentence fragments happen by treating a dependent clause or other incomplete thought as a complete sentence. You can usually fix this error by combining it with another sentence to make a complete thought or by removing the dependent marker.

Incorrect: Because I forgot the exam was today.

Correct: Because I forgot the exam was today, I didn't study. (or) I forgot the exam was today.

The Difference between Adjectives and AdverbsSummary:

This worksheet discusses the differences between adjectives and adverbs. It defines adjectives and adverbs, shows what each can do, and offers several examples of each in use. Click here for some examples.Contributors:Paul Lynch, Allen BrizeeLast Edited: 2010-09-21 01:33:47

The Basic Rules: AdjectivesAdjectives modify nouns. To modify means to change in some way. For example:

"I ate a meal." Meal is a noun. We don't know what kind of meal; all we know is that someone ate a meal.

"I ate an enormous lunch." Lunch is a noun, and enormous is an adjective that modifies it. It tells us what kind of meal the person ate.

Adjectives usually answer one of a few different questions: "What kind?" or "Which?" or "How many?" For example:

"The tall girl is riding a new bike." Tall tells us which girl we're talking about. Newtells us what kind of bike we're talking about.

"The tough professor gave us the final exam." Tough tells us what kind of professor we're talking about. Final tells us which exam we're talking about.

"Fifteen students passed the midterm exam; twelve students passed the final exam." Fifteen and twelve both tell us how many students; midterm and final both tell us which exam.

So, generally speaking, adjectives answer the following questions:

Which? What kind of? How many?

The Basic Rules: AdverbsAdverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. (You can recognize adverbs easily because many of them are formed by adding -ly to an adjective, though that is not always the case.) The most common question that adverbs answer is how.

Let's look at verbs first.

"She sang beautifully." Beautifully is an adverb that modifies sang. It tells us how she sang. "The cellist played carelessly." Carelessly is an adverb that modifies played. It tells ushow the

cellist played.

Adverbs also modify adjectives and other adverbs.

"That woman is extremely nice." Nice is an adjective that modifies the noun woman.Extremely is an adverb that modifies nice; it tells us how nice she is. How nice is she? She's extremely nice.

"It was a terribly hot afternoon." Hot is an adjective that modifies the nounafternoon. Terribly is an adverb that modifies the adjective hot. How hot is it? Terribly hot.

So, generally speaking, adverbs answer the question how. (They can also answer the questions when, where, and why.)

Some other rules:Most of the time, adjectives come before nouns. However, they come after the nouns they modify, most often when the verb is a form of the following:

be feel taste smell sound look appear seem

Some examples:

"The dog is black." Black is an adjective that modifies the noun dog, but it comes after the verb. (Remember that "is" is a form of the verb "be.")

"Brian seems sad." Sad is an adjective that modifies the noun Brian. "The milk smells rotten." Rotten is an adjective that modifies the noun milk. "The speaker sounds hoarse." Hoarse is an adjective that modifies the noun speaker.

Be sure to understand the differences between the following two examples:

"The dog smells carefully." Here, carefully describes how the dog is smelling. We imagine him sniffing very cautiously.

But:

"The dog smells clean." Here, clean describes the dog itself. It's not that he's smelling clean things or something; it's that he's had a bath and does not stink.

AppositivesSummary:This handout defines appositives and explains how they are used.Contributors:Chris Berry, Dana Lynn DriscollLast Edited: 2011-03-23 03:18:35

An appositive is a noun or pronoun — often with modifiers — set beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it. Here are some examples of appositives (the noun or pronoun will be in blue, the appositive will be in red).

Your friend Bill is in trouble.

My brother's car, a sporty red convertible with bucket seats, is the envy of my

friends.

The chief surgeon, an expert in organ-transplant procedures, took her nephew on a

hospital tour.

An appositive phrase usually follows the word it explains or identifies, but it may also precede it.

A bold innovator, Wassily Kadinsky is known for his colorful abstract paintings.

The first state to ratify the U. S. Constitution, Delaware is rich in history.

A beautiful collie, Skip was my favorite dog.

Punctuation of appositivesIn some cases, the noun being explained is too general without the appositive; the information is essential to the meaning of the sentence. When this is the case, do not place commas around the appositive; just leave it alone. If the sentence would be clear and complete without the appositive, then commas are necessary; place one before and one after the appositive.

Here are some examples.

The popular US president John Kennedy was known for his eloquent and inspirational

speeches.

Here we do not put commas around the appositive because it is essential information. Without the appositive, the sentence would be, "The popular US president was known for his eloquent and inspirational speeches." We wouldn't know who the president is without the appositive.

John Kennedy, the popular US president, was known for his eloquent and inspirational

speeches.

Here we put commas around the appositive because it is not essential information. Without the appositive, the sentence would be, "John Kennedy was known for his eloquent and inspirational speeches." We still know who the subject of the sentence is without the appositive.

John Kennedy the popular US president was quite different from John Kennedy the

unfaithful husband.

Here we do not put commas around either appositive because they are both essential to understanding the sentence. Without the appositives, the sentence would just be John Kennedy was

quite different from John Kennedy. We wouldn't know what qualities of John Kennedy were being referred to without the appositive.

Articles: A versus AnSummary:This short handout deals with which article to use before a noun -- "a" or "an."Contributors:Chris Berry, Allen BrizeeLast Edited: 2011-07-27 11:20:13

How do you know when to use the indefinite articles?

The choice of article is actually based upon the phonetic (sound) quality of the first letter in a word, not on the orthographic (written) representation of the letter. If the first letter makes a vowel-type sound, you use "an"; if the first letter would make a consonant-type sound, you use "a." However, you may follow these basic rules when deciding to use "a" or "an," remembering that there are some exceptions to the rules.

"A" goes before words that begin with consonants.

a cat a dog a purple onion a buffalo a big apple

"An" goes before words that begin with vowels:

an apricot an egg an Indian an orbit an uprising

ExceptionsUse "an" before unsounded "h." Because the "h" hasn't any phonetic representation and has no audible sound, the sound that follows the article is a vowel; consequently, "an" is used.

an honorable peace an honest error

When "u" makes the same sound as the "y" in "you," or "o" makes the same sound as "w" in "won," then a is used. The word-initial "y" sound ("unicorn") is actually a glide [j] phonetically, which has consonantal properties; consequently, it is treated as a consonant, requiring "a."

a union a united front a unicorn a used napkin a U.S. ship a one-legged man

For more information, please visit this page on the OWL.

Using ArticlesSummary:This handout discusses the differences between indefinite articles (a/an) and definite articles (the).Contributors:Paul Lynch, Allen Brizee, Elizabeth AngeliLast Edited: 2011-03-03 10:04:28

What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.

English has two articles: the and a/an. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns;a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article.

the = definite article

a/an = indefinite article

For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a specific book. If I say, "Let's read abook," I mean any book rather than a specific book.

Here's another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group. For example, "I just saw the most popular movie of the year." There are many movies, but only one particular movie is the most popular. Therefore, we use the.

"A/an" is used to refer to a non-specific or non-particular member of the group. For example, "I would like to go see a movie." Here, we're not talking about a specific movie. We're talking about any movie. There are many movies, and I want to see any movie. I don't have a specific one in mind.

Let's look at each kind of article a little more closely.

Indefinite Articles: a and an"A" and "an" signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. For example:

"My daughter really wants a dog for Christmas." This refers to any dog. We don't know which dog because we haven't found the dog yet.

"Somebody call a policeman!" This refers to any policeman. We don't need a specific policeman; we need any policeman who is available.

"When I was at the zoo, I saw an elephant!" Here, we're talking about a single, non-specific thing, in this case an elephant. There are probably several elephants at the zoo, but there's only one we're talking about here.

Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So...

a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot;an orphan a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins

with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; a unicycle an + nouns starting with silent "h": an hour a + nouns starting with a pronounced "h": a horse 

o In some cases where "h" is pronounced, such as "historical," you can use an. However, a is more commonly used and preferred.

A historical event is worth recording.

Remember that these rules also apply when you use acronyms:

Introductory Composition at Purdue (ICaP) handles first-year writing at the

University. Therefore, an ICaP memo generally discusses issues concerning English 106

instructors.

Another case where this rule applies is when acronyms start with consonant letters but have vowel sounds:

An MSDS (material safety data sheet) was used to record the data. An SPCC plan (Spill

Prevention Control and Countermeasures plan) will help us prepare for the worst.

If the noun is modified by an adjective, the choice between a and an depends on the initial sound of the adjective that immediately follows the article:

a broken egg an unusual problem a European country (sounds like 'yer-o-pi-an,' i.e. begins with consonant 'y' sound)

Remember, too, that in English, the indefinite articles are used to indicate membership in a group:

I am a teacher. (I am a member of a large group known as teachers.) Brian is an Irishman. (Brian is a member of the people known as Irish.) Seiko is a practicing Buddhist. (Seiko is a member of the group of people known as Buddhists.)

Definite Article: theThe definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. For example:

"The dog that bit me ran away." Here, we're talking about a specific dog, the dog that bit me.

"I was happy to see the policeman who saved my cat!" Here, we're talking about aparticular policeman. Even if we don't know the policeman's name, it's still a particular policeman because it is the one who saved the cat.

"I saw the elephant at the zoo." Here, we're talking about a specific noun. Probably there is only one elephant at the zoo.

Count and Noncount Nouns

The can be used with noncount nouns, or the article can be omitted entirely.

"I love to sail over the water" (some specific body of water) or "I love to sail over water" (any water).

"He spilled the milk all over the floor" (some specific milk, perhaps the milk you bought earlier that day) or "He spilled milk all over the floor" (any milk).

"A/an" can be used only with count nouns.

"I need a bottle of water." "I need a new glass of milk."

Most of the time, you can't say, "She wants a water," unless you're implying, say, a bottle of water.

Geographical use of theThere are some specific rules for using the with geographical nouns.

Do not use the before:

names of most countries/territories: Italy, Mexico, Bolivia; however, the Netherlands,the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, the United States

names of cities, towns, or states: Seoul, Manitoba, Miami names of streets: Washington Blvd., Main St. names of lakes and bays: Lake Titicaca, Lake Erie except with a group of lakes likethe Great

Lakes names of mountains: Mount Everest, Mount Fuji except with ranges of mountains

likethe Andes or the Rockies or unusual names like the Matterhorn names of continents (Asia, Europe) names of islands (Easter Island, Maui, Key West) except with island chains

like theAleutians, the Hebrides, or the Canary Islands

Do use the before:

names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Nile, the Pacific points on the globe: the Equator, the North Pole geographical areas: the Middle East, the West deserts, forests, gulfs, and peninsulas: the Sahara, the Persian Gulf, the Black

Forest, the Iberian Peninsula

Omission of ArticlesSome common types of nouns that don't take an article are:

Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese, English, Spanish, Russian (unless you are referring to the population of the nation: "The Spanish are known for their warm hospitality.")

Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseball Names of academic subjects: mathematics, biology, history, computer science

Prepositions for Time, Place, and Introducing ObjectsSummary:This section deals with prepositions and their standard uses.Contributors:Chris Berry, Allen Brizee, Elizabeth AngeliLast Edited: 2011-03-23 03:07:43

One point in timeOn is used with days:

I will see you on Monday. The week begins on Sunday.

At is used with noon, night, midnight, and with the time of day:

My plane leaves at noon. The movie starts at 6 p.m.

In is used with other parts of the day, with months, with years, with seasons:

He likes to read in the afternoon. The days are long in August. The book was published in 1999. The flowers will bloom in spring.

Extended timeTo express extended time, English uses the following prepositions: since, for, by, from—to, from-until, during,(with)in

She has been gone since yesterday. (She left yesterday and has not returned.) I'm going to Paris for two weeks. (I will spend two weeks there.) The movie showed from August to October. (Beginning in August and ending in October.) The decorations were up from spring until fall. (Beginning in spring and ending in fall.) I watch TV during the evening. (For some period of time in the evening.) We must finish the project within a year. (No longer than a year.)

PlaceTo express notions of place, English uses the following prepositions: to talk about the point itself: in, to express something contained: inside, to talk about the surface: on, to talk about a general vicinity, at.

There is a wasp in the room. Put the present inside the box. I left your keys on the table. She was waiting at the corner.

Higher than a pointTo express notions of an object being higher than a point, English uses the following prepositions: over, above.

He threw the ball over the roof. Hang that picture above the couch.

Lower than a pointTo express notions of an object being lower than a point, English uses the following prepositions: under, underneath, beneath, below.

The rabbit burrowed under the ground. The child hid underneath the blanket. We relaxed in the shade beneath the branches. The valley is below sea-level.

Close to a point

To express notions of an object being close to a point, English uses the following prepositions: near, by, next to, between, among, opposite.

She lives near the school. There is an ice cream shop by the store. An oak tree grows next to my house The house is between Elm Street and Maple Street. I found my pen lying among the books. The bathroom is opposite that room.

To introduce objects of verbsEnglish uses the following prepositions to introduce objects of the following verbs.

At: glance, laugh, look, rejoice, smile, stare She glanced at her reflection.

(exception with mirror: She glanced in the mirror.) You didn't laugh at his joke. I'm looking at the computer monitor. We rejoiced at his safe rescue. That pretty girl smiled at you. Stop staring at me.

Of: approve, consist, smell I don't approve of his speech. My contribution to the article consists of many pages. He came home smelling of alcohol.

Of (or about): dream, think I dream of finishing college in four years. Can you think of a number between one and ten? I am thinking about this problem.

For: call, hope, look, wait, watch, wish Did someone call for a taxi? He hopes for a raise in salary next year. I'm looking for my keys. We'll wait for her here. You go buy the tickets and I'll watch for the train. If you wish for an "A" in this class, you must work hard.

Count and Noncount Nouns: Basic RulesSummary:This handout discusses the differences between count nouns and noncount nouns. Count nouns can be pluralized; noncount nouns cannot.Contributors:Paul Lynch, Allen BrizeeLast Edited: 2012-06-08 08:22:39

Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

The Basic Rules: Count and Noncount NounsA count noun is one that can be expressed in plural form, usually with an "s." For example, "cat—cats," "season—seasons," "student—students."

A noncount noun is one that usually cannot be expressed in a plural form. For example, "milk," "water," "air," "money," "food." Usually, you can't say, "He had many moneys."

Count and Noncount Nouns with Adjectives

Most of the time, this doesn't matter with adjectives. For example, you can say, "The cat was gray" or "The air was gray." However, the difference between a countable and uncountable noun does matter with certain adjectives, such as "some/any," "much/many," and "little/few."

Some/Any: Some and any countable and uncountable nouns.

"There is some water on the floor." "There are some students here." "Do you have any food?" "Do you have any apples?"

Much/Many: Much modifies only uncountable nouns. Many modifies only countable nouns.

"We don't have much time to get this done." "Many Americans travel to Europe."

Little/Few: Little modifies only uncountable nouns.

"He had little food in the house." "The doctor had little time to think in the emergency room."

Few modifies only countable nouns.

"There are few doctors in town." "Few students like exams."

Other basic rulesA lot of/lots of: A lot of/lots of are informal substitutes for much and many. They are used with uncountable nouns when they mean much and with countable nouns when they mean many.

"They have lots of (much) money in the bank." "A lot of (many) Americans travel to Europe." "We got lots of (many) mosquitoes last summer." "We got lots of (much) rain last summer."

A little bit of:A little bit of is informal and always precedes an uncountable noun.

"There is a little bit of pepper in the soup." "There is a little bit of snow on the ground."

Enough: Enough modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

"There is enough money to buy a car." "I have enough books to read."

Plenty of: Plenty of modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

"They have plenty of money in the bank."

"There are plenty of millionaires in Switzerland."

No: No modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

"There is no time to finish now." "There are no squirrels in the park."

Making Subjects and Verbs Agree Summary: Ever get "subject/verb agreement" as an error on a paper? This handout will help you understand

this common grammar problem. Contributors:Joshua M. Paiz, Chris Berry, Allen Brizee

Last Edited: 2012-05-23 10:01:31 This handout gives you several guidelines to help your subjects and verbs agree. 1. When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected

by and, use a plural verb. She and her friends are at the fair.

2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a singular verb.

The book or the pen is in the drawer.

3. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb.

The boy or his friends run every day.

His friends or the boy runs every day.

4. Doesn't is a contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural subject. The exception to this rule appears in the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you. With these pronouns, the contraction don't should be used.

He doesn't like it.

They don't like it.

5. Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.

One of the boxes is open

The people who listen to that music are few.

The team captain, as well as his players, is anxious.

The book, including all the chapters in the first section, is boring.

The woman with all the dogs walks down my street.

6. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb.

Each of these hot dogs is juicy.

Everybody knows Mr. Jones.

Either is correct.

7. Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles, and news require singular verbs. The news is on at six.

Note: the word dollars is a special case. When talking about an amount of money, it requires a singular verb, but when referring to the dollars themselves, a plural verb is required.

Five dollars is a lot of money.

Dollars are often used instead of rubles in Russia.

8. Nouns such as scissors, tweezers, trousers, and shears require plural verbs. (There are two parts to these things.)

These scissors are dull.

Those trousers are made of wool.

9. In sentences beginning with there is or there are, the subject follows the verb. Since there is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows.

There are many questions.

There is a question.

10. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but that are considered singular and take a singular verb, such as group, team, committee, class, and family.

The team runs during practice.

The committee decides how to proceed.

The family has a long history.

My family has never been able to agree.

In some cases in American English, a sentence may call for the use of a plural verb when using a collective noun.

The crew are preparing to dock the ship.

This sentence is referring to the individual efforts of each crew member. The Gregg Reference Manual provides excellent explanations of subject-verb agreement (section 10: 1001).

11. Expressions such as with, together with, including, accompanied by, in addition to, or as well do not change the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is too.

The President, accompanied by his wife, is traveling to India.

All of the books, including yours, are in that box.

Sequence of Tenses Summary:

This handout explains and describes the sequence of verb tenses in English. Contributors:Chris Berry, Allen Brizee, Elizabeth Angeli

Last Edited: 2012-07-20 09:28:14 Strictly speaking, in English, only two tenses are marked in the verb alone, present (as in "he

sings") and past (as in "he sang"). Other English language tenses, as many as thirty of them, are marked by other words called auxiliaries. Understanding the six basic tenses allows one to re-create much of the reality of time in his writing.

Simple Present: They walk

Present Perfect: They have walked

Simple Past: They walked

Past Perfect: They had walked

Future: They will walk

Future Perfect: They will have walked

Problems in sequencing tenses usually occur with the perfect tenses, all of which are formed by adding an auxiliary or auxiliaries to the past participle, the third principal part.

ring, rang, rung

walk, walked, walked

The most common auxiliaries are forms of "be," "can," "do," "may," "must," "ought," "shall," "will," "has," "have," "had," and they are the forms we shall use in this most basic discussion.

Present Perfect

The present perfect consists of a past participle (the third principal part) with "has" or "have." It designates action which began in the past but which continues into the present or the effect of which still continues.

1. Betty taught for ten years. (simple past)

2. Betty has taught for ten years. (present perfect)

The implication in (1) is that Betty has retired; in (2), that she is still teaching.

1. John did his homework. He can go to the movies.

2. If John has done his homework, he can go to the movies.

Infinitives, too, have perfect tense forms when combined with "have," and sometimes problems arise when infinitives are used with verbs such as "hope," "plan," "expect," and "intend," all of which usually point to the future (I wanted to go to the movie. Janet meant to see the doctor.) The perfect tense sets up a sequence by marking the action which began and usually was completed before the action in the main verb.

1. I am happy to have participated in this campaign!

2. John had hoped to have won the trophy.

Thus the action of the main verb points back in time; the action of the perfect infinitive has been completed.

Past Perfect

The past perfect tense designates action in the past just as simple past does, but the action of the past perfect is action completed in the past before another action.

1. John raised vegetables and later sold them. (past)

2. John sold vegetables that he had raised. (past perfect)

The vegetables were raised before they were sold.

1. Renee washed the car when George arrived (simple past)

2. Renee had washed the car when George arrived. (past perfect)

In (1), she waited until George arrived and then washed the car. In (2), she had already finished washing the car by the time he arrived.

In sentences expressing condition and result, the past perfect tense is used in the part that states the condition.

1. If I had done my exercises, I would have passed the test.

2. I think George would have been elected if he hadn't sounded so pompous.

Future Perfect

The future perfect tense designates action that will have been completed at a specified time in the future.

1. Saturday I will finish my housework. (simple future)

2. By Saturday noon, I will have finished my housework. (future perfect)

Review

1. Judy saved thirty dollars. (past)

2. Judy will save thirty dollars. (future)

3. Judy has saved thirty dollars. (present perfect)

4. Judy had saved thirty dollars by the end of last month. (past perfect)

5. Judy will have saved thirty dollars by the end of this month. (future perfect)

Notice: There can be only one "would have" action group in a sentence.

Active Verb TensesSummary:This handout gives some examples of the different tenses verbs can have.Contributors:Allen BrizeeLast Edited: 2010-06-25 12:38:46

 

Simple PresentPresent or Action Condition General Truths

I hear you. Here comes the bus. There are thirty days in September.

Non-action; Habitual Action Future Time I like music. I run on Tuesdays and Sundays. The train leaves at 4:00 p.m.

 

Present ProgressiveActivity in Progress Verbs of Perception

I am playing soccer now. He is feeling sad.

 

Simple PastCompleted Action Completed Condition

We visited the museum yesterday. The weather was rainy last week.

 

Past ProgressivePast Action that took place over a period of time Past Action interrupted by another

They were climbing for twenty-seven days. We were eating dinner when she told me.

 

FutureWith will/won't — Activity or event that will or won't exist or happen in the future

With going to — future in relation to circumstances in the present

I'll get up late tomorrow. I won't get up early

I'm hungry. I'm going to get something to eat.

 

Present PerfectWith verbs of state that begin in the past and lead up to and include the present To express habitual or continued action

He has lived here for many years He has worn glasses all his life.

With events occuring at an indefinited or unspecified time in the past — with ever, never, before Have you ever been to Tokyo before?

 

Present Perfect ProgressiveTo express duration of an action that began in the past, has continued into the present, and may continue into the future

David has been working for two hours, and he hasn't finished yet.

 

Past PerfectTo describe a past event or condition completed before another event in the past In reported speech

When I arrived home, he had already called. Jane said that she had gone to the movies.

 

Irregular Verbs: Overview and ListSummary:This handout contains a list and discussion of common irregular verbs.Contributors:Dana Lynn Driscoll, Karl Stolley, Elizabeth AngeliLast Edited: 2010-10-14 04:04:13

Future PerfectTo express action that will be completed by or before a specified time in the future

By next month we will have finished the job. He won't have finished his work until 2:00.

In English, regular verbs consist of three main parts: the root form (present), the (simple) past, and the past participle. Regular verbs have an -ed ending added to the root verb for both the simple past and past participle. Irregular verbs do not follow this pattern, and instead take on an alternative pattern.

List of Irregular Verbs in EnglishThe following is a partial list of irregular verbs found in English. Each listing consists of the present/root form of the verb, the (simple) past form of the verb, and the past participle form of the verb.

Present Past Past Participlebe was, were been

become became becomebegin began begunblow blew blownbreak broke brokenbring brought broughtbuild built builtburst burst burstbuy bought bought

burst burst burstcatch caught caught

choose chose chosencome came comecut cut cutdeal dealt dealtdo did done

drink drank drunkdrive drove driveneat ate eatenfall fell fallen

feed fed fedfeel felt feltfight fought foughtfind found foundfly flew flown

forbid forbade forbiddenforget forgot forgottenforgive forgave forgivenfreeze froze frozen

get got gotten

give gave givengo went gone

grow grew grownhave had hadhear heard heardhide hid hiddenhold held heldhurt hurt hurtkeep kept keptknow knew knownlay laid laid

lead led ledleave left left

let let letlie lay lain

lose lost lostmake made mademeet met metpay paid paidquit quit quitread read readride rode riddenrun ran runsay said saidsee saw seenseek sought soughtsell sold sold

send sent sentshake shook shakenshine shone shonesing sang sungsit sat sat

sleep slept sleptspeak spoke spokenspend spent spentspring sprang sprungstand stood stood

steal stole stolenswim swam swumswing swung swungtake took takenteach taught taughttear tore torntell told told

think thought thoughtthrow threw thrown

understand understood understoodwake woke (waked) woken (waked)wear wore wornwin won won

write wrote written