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?
