Grammar 2

Tutorial 4:

Concept: “Each” and “Every” : Singular

‘Each’ and ‘every’ as subjects or as words preceding subjects require singular verb form.

Every dog HAS paws.

Every dog and cat HAS paws.

Each of these shirts IS pretty.

Concept: Numerical Words and phrases:

The phrase the number of always takes a singular verb form.

The phrase a number of always takes a plural verb form.

NB: Golden rule/Mantra: When in Doubt, Think Singular as singular subjects dominate the chart.

Tutorial 5: Tense, Mood & Voice

KEEP IT Simple:

Sentences with more than one action do not necessarily require more than one verb tense. In fact, unless the actions do not take place at the same time, you should keep all verb tenses in a given sentence the same. For example:

She WALKED to school in the morning and RAN home in the afternoon.

She WALKS to school in the morning and RUNS home in the afternoon.

She WILL WALK to school in the morning and RUN home in the afternoon.

In the first sentence, both verbs are in the past tense. In the second sentence, both verbs are in the present tense. In the third sentence, both verbs are in the future tense. There is no reason to change tenses.

However, sometimes a logical switch from one tense to another is required.

Perfect Tenses: Only when necessary

The Perfect Tense: An event that started in the past but continues into the present-use present perfect tense.

My family has owned this mansion since the early nineteenth century.

Our country has enforced strict immigration laws for the last thirty years.

Past Perfect: Transition from ‘an earlier past moment’ (past participle)to ‘a later past moment’(simple past).

Several teachers THOUGHT that Jimmy HAD CHEATED on the exam.

The movie HAD ENDED, but we REMAINED in our seats.

Golden Rule/MANTRA: Do not use perfect tenses when simple tenses will do.

Tutorial 6:

Concept: “If” Or “Whether”

The word “If” does not always signal a conditional sentence.

I don’t know IF I will go to dance.

The IF clause here is not followed by a THEN clause, so this is not a conditional clause. In tjhis sentence If carries the meaning of whether.

Correc t: I don’t know WHETHER I will go to the dance.

Concept: MOOD: Subjunctive or Indicative

Concept: The Subjunctive Mood

1.       IF clauses, when the IF clause expresses a condition contrary to reality.

2.       2. Hopes, proposals, desires, and requests formed with the word.

Incorrect: IF I was rich, I would donate money to rebuild my old school.

Correct: If I were rich, I would donate money to rebuild my old school.

Uncertainty: Hopes, proposals, desires, and requests

That+the infinitive form

It is urgent that she SIGN the permission slip.

I respectfully ask that he BE allowed to continue.

My advice is that he simply LOVE her for who she is.

Incorrect: The parolee knew it was imperative that he FOUND a job quickly.

Correct: The parolee knew that it was imperative that he FIND a job quickly.

The above use of subjunctive follows words such as: advice, advisable, ask, arrange, demand, better, desire, desirable, direct, directive, essential, fitting, imperative, important, necessary, insist, instruct, instructions, intend, intentions, order, pray, prefer, preferable, plead, propose, recommend, request, require, suggest, suggestions, urge, urgent, and vital.

Concept: Pronoun Case

Incorrect: Janice and Me went on a picnic together.

Correct: Janice and I went on a picnic together.

The pronoun is part of the subject, so the correct form is I.

Incorrec t: The picnic was attended by Janice and I.

Correct: The picnic was attended by Janice and ME.

Picnic is the subject of the sentence, while the pronoun is part of the object of the sentence.

Incorrect: WHO are you going to marry?

Correct: WHOM are you going to marry?