Quick Review of Basic Grammar

There are five things to remember about verbs.

First, the verb can be in the first, second, or third person. It must be in the same person as the subject. For example:

-         First person: I am hungry.

-         Second person: You are hungry.

-         Third person: She is hungry.

Second, subject/verb agreement is crucial.

-         When a singular subject is used, the verb must be singular.

Example: The pen is on the table.

-         When a plural subject is used, the verb must be plural.

Example: The pens are on the table.

Further, when a subjective complement follows the subject, the verb must agree with the subject.

- Example: The gifts that she brought are good. (Here, the subject is gifts and the verb is are.)

Third, a verb may be in the active voice or the passive voice.

-         Example: The ball hit the car. (active)

-         Example: The car was hit by the ball. (passive)

For the passive voice, a form of the verb be is always used with the past participle. In the above example, was is the form of the verb be and hit is the past participle.

Fourth, the verb can have one of three moods:

-         Indicative: The cat is happy. (Used for statements or questions)

-         Imperative: Go! Leave the house immediately. (Used especially for commands and suggestions)

-         Subjunctive: I wish I were in the lead. (past tense form is used after wish when the statement expresses something that isn’t reality)

2nd Subjunctive example: If I knew the answer, I would disclose it. (again, past tense form used after If)

Fifth, the verb has three basic tenses:

-         Present tense: I throw the ball. I hear the song. I see the car.

-         Past tense: I threw the ball. I heard the song. I saw the car.

-         Past Participle: I have thrown the ball. I have heard the song. I have seen the car.

There are other tenses, but these are the three basic forms.

These basic grammar rules are essential to good writing.