Rules
What is the rule of opposites?
If the subject has an s, then the verb has NO s; if the subject has no s, then the verb has an s
The championship trophy was won by the underdog team.
Active: The underdog team won the championship trophy.
The orchestra played a complex symphony.
The orchestra plays a complex symphony.
Yesterday, Maria walked to the library and searches for a book about the War of 1812.
Yesterday, Maria walked to the library and searched for a book about the War of 1812.
What is a passive verb?
A being verb + past tense verb
Ex. The car was fixed by the mechanic.
What is the rule for:
either/or
neither/nor
Look at the second part! IGNORE everything in front of it.
Neither the mom nor the dad came to the game.
The monthly budget report was reviewed by the store manager.
Active: The store manager reviewed the monthly budget report.
She will submit her history research paper tomorrow.
She submits her history research paper tomorrow.
The professor explains the assignment, and the students take detailed notes.
Correct
What is a progressive verb?
Being verb + -ing verb
Ex. They are studying for the history exam.
What is the rule for Intervening Phrases
Phrases in between: IGNORE any phrases in between the subject and verb. They will confuse you. IGNORE anything in between commas or parentheses.
A beautiful song was played by the street musician.
Active: The street musician played a beautiful song.
The technician was repairing the server.
The technician is repairing the server.
While the musicians were tuning their instruments, the conductor enters the stage.
While the musicians were tuning their instruments, the conductor entered the stage.
Which is NOT a being verb:
are, were, am, is, not, be, been
not
What is the and = 1+1=2 rule?
When two subjects are joined by "and", they combine to form a plural subject ($1 + 1 = 2$). In English grammar, plural subjects take plural verbs, which do not end in an "s".
The guitar and the bass sound great together.
Careful! Peanut butter and jelly tastes delicious. (Counts as one sandwich flavor combination)
The error was corrected by the software engineer before launch.
Active: The software engineer corrected the error before launch.
The children built a large sandcastle on the beach.
The children build a large sandcastle on the beach.
By next week, the engineering team will finish the construction project.
Correct
What verb is correct?
The car (back / backs) into the parking space.
backs
What is the rule for an intervening phrase?
IGNORE any phrases between the subject and verb. They will confuse you. IGNORE anything between commas or parentheses.
Ex. The captain of the basketball players is giving a speech.
Fresh coffee is brewed by the barista every morning.
Active - The barista brews fresh coffee every morning.
hey will be studying for the algebra exam.
They are studying for the algebra exam.
Although the thunderstorm was loud, the baby sleeps peacefully through the night.
Although the thunderstorm was loud, the baby slept peacefully through the night.
Who is the best English teacher in the whole wide world?
Ms. Pruett