Problems With Verbs
Problems With Verbs
Problems With Verbs
A verb is a word or phrase that expresses existence, action, or experience. There are
two kind of verbs in English. They are the main verb and the auxiliary verb. In some
grammar books, the auxiliary verb is called a helping verb because it is used with a
main verb. Every english sentence must have a main verb. The sentence may or may
not have an auxiliary.
Even when you understand the correct uses of verb tenses, you can run into
trouble with irregular verbs. Irregular verbs form the past tense and past
participle in a variety of ways, not by adding -d or -ed as regular verbs do.
9. Inconsistency in tenses
Another common error is illogically mixing tenses in a sentence, the verbs must
be consistent, either by being in the same tense or by reflecting past and future
times in relation to your main tense.
In the preceding sentence there is no logical reason to move from the past tense
( went) to the present tense ( walks, picks). Use the past tense or the present
tense—not both. Rewrite the sentence using consistent tenses.
The simple present talk about things in general. We use it to say that something
happens repeatedly all the time or is true in general.
14. Logical Conclusions - “must + have + participle” = past event (avoid using
“should” and “can” instead of “must”). It is a like conclusion of present
observstion about something that happened in the past. Example, when i get up
in the morning I see the sign “missed voice call on my phone cell” I may be
concluded that “someone must have called me last night”
Example: This pen won’t write; it must have run out of ink.
15. Logical Conclusions – “ must be + -ing = event in the present time (avoid
using “verb-word” instead of “ing-form”).
Example: The line is busy; someone must be using the telephone now
16. Logical Conclusions – Events that Repeat (avoid using “an infinitive” or
“an ing- form” instead of “verb-word after must”).
Example: Carol always gets good grades; she must study a lot.
17. Desires= The verb wish is used to say that we feel disappointed about
something that we did or din’t do.
Wish (past) + that + s + had+ participle/
could/would have + participle
Remember that although the verb wish is in present, this pattern refers to desire
in the past.
Avoid using a form of be after the subject. Avoid using the incorrect form of
use to
Avoid using a form of be after used to. Avoid using a verb word instead of an
–ing form.
19. Advisability
Example: You had better not take chemistry 600 this semester
Remember that although had is past form, it refers to future time in this pattern.
Avoid using an infinitive or past form of a verb instead of a verb word. Avoid
using don’t instead of not.
21. Preference
Avoid using a present verb or a verb word instead of a past verb. Avoid
using should and a verb word instead of a past form.
22. Subjunctives
Example: Mr. Johnson prefers that she speak with him personally
Remember that the following verbs are used before that and the verb word
clause.
Ask demand desire insist prefer recommend require suggest
Avoid using a present or past verb instead of a verb word. Avoid using modal
before the verb word
S + BE + , + and + so + BE + S
S + V + , + and + so + DO + S
S + MODAL HAVE TO BE not + verb word participle verb word –ing form, +
and + neither + MODAL HAVE DO BE + S
S + MODAL HAVE DO BE not + verb word participle verb word –ing form +
and + S + MODAL HAVE DO BE not + either