Grammar Guide

Most proper adjectives are capitalized; only a few have become common adjectives (without capitals), such as manila folder.

True - Most adjectives derived from proper nouns retain their capitalized form, such as French dressing, English garden, and British rock.

Do not capitalize business titles that follow names, such as in Margaret Drew, director of Human Resources Department.

True - We don't capitalize business titles [such as director]. However, we do capitalize departments within our own organization [such as Human Resources Department].

Objective-Case Pronouns

Use objective-case pronouns as objects of prepositions and verbs. Examples: Send the e-mail to her and me (not she and I). (The pronouns her and me are objects of the preposition to.) The CEO appointed Rick and him (not he) to the committee. (The pronoun him is the object of the verb appointed.)

Singular Verbs

Use singular verbs for most indefinite pronouns. The following pronouns all take singular verbs: anyone, anybody, anything, each, either, every, everyone, everybody, everything, neither, nobody, nothing, someone, somebody, and something. Examples: Everyone in both offices was (not were) given a bonus. Each of the employees is (not are) being interviewed.

Present Tense is "write". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "write"?

wrote, written

Use quotation marks to (a) enclose the exact words of a speaker; (b) enclose the titles of articles, chapters, or other short works; and (c) enclose specific definitions of words or expressions.

"If you make your job important," said the consultant, "it's quite likely to return the favor." (Quotation marks enclose the exact words of a speaker.) The recruiter said that she was looking for candidates with good communication skills. (Omit quotation marks because the exact words of the speaker are not quoted.) In The Wall Street Journal, I saw an article titled "Communication for Global Markets." (Quotation marks enclose the title of an article. Italics identify the names of newspapers, magazines, and books.) The term tweet refers to "a post made on the microblogging site Twitter." (Quotation marks enclose the definition of a word.)

Possessive Prronouns

Use to show ownership. Possessive pronouns (such as hers, yours, whose, ours, theirs, and its) require no apostrophes. Examples: All reports except yours (not your's) have to be rewritten. The apartment and its (not it's) contents are hers (not her's) until June.

Use a possessive pronoun or add an apostrophe and s to make a noun possessive when it precedes a gerund (a verb form used as a noun).

We all protested Laura's (not Laura) smoking. (Add an apostrophe and s to the noun preceding the gerund.) His (not Him) talking on his cell phone angered moviegoers. (Use a possessive pronoun before the gerund.) I appreciate your (not you) answering the telephone while I was gone. (Use a possessive pronoun before the gerund.)

Apostrophe If an ownership word does NOT end in an s sound, add an apostrophe and s, whether the word is singular or plural.

We hope to show a profit in one year's time. (Add 's because the ownership word year is singular and does not end in s.) The children's teacher allowed free time on the computer. (Add 's because the ownership word children, although it is plural, does not end in s.)

Plural verbs

With subjects joined by and, use plural verbs. Watch for true subjects joined by the conjunction and. They require plural verbs. Example: The CEO and one of his assistants have (not has) ordered a limo. Considerable time and money were (not was) spent on remodeling. Exercising in the gym and jogging every day are (not is) how he keeps fit.

Run-on sentence

Without a conjunction or a semicolon, a run-on sentence results. A sentence with two independent clauses must be joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but) or by a semicolon (;).

Use singular or plural verbs for collective nouns, depending on whether the members of the group are operating as a unit or individually.

Words such as faculty, administration, class, crowd, and committee are considered collective nouns. If the members of the collective are acting as a unit, treat them as singular subjects. If they are acting individually, it is usually better to add the word members and use a plural verb.

Present Tense is "am". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "am"?

was, been

Present Tense is "pay". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "pay"?

paid, paid

Present Tense is "see". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "see"?

saw, seen

Present Tense is "steal". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "steal"?

stole, stolen

Present Tense is "take". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "take"?

took, takn

Capitalize the main words in titles, subject lines, and headings. Main words are all words except (a) the articles a, an, and the; (b) the conjunctions and, but, or, and nor; (c) prepositions containing two or three letters (e.g., of, for, in, on, by); (d) the word to in infinitives (such as to work, to write, and to talk); and (e) the word as—unless any of these words are the first or last words in the title, subject line, or heading.

I enjoyed the book A Customer Is More Than a Name. (Book title) Team Meeting to Discuss Deadlines Rescheduled for Friday (Subject line) We liked the article titled "Advice From a Pro: How to Say It With Pictures." (Article) Check the Advice and Resources link at the CareerBuilder website. (Note that the titles of books are italicized, but the titles of articles are enclosed in quotation marks.)

Verb Mood Use the subjunctive mood to express hypothetical (untrue) ideas. The most frequent misuse of the subjunctive mood involves using was instead of were in clauses introduced by if and as though or containing wish.

If I were (not was) you, I would take a business writing course. Sometimes I wish I were (not was) the manager of this department. He acts as though he were (not was) in charge of this department. Tip: If the statement could possibly be true, use was. If I was to blame, I accept the consequences.

Use a semicolon to separate items in a series when one or more of the items contains internal commas.

Representatives from as far away as Blue Bell, Pennsylvania; Bowling Green, Ohio; and Phoenix, Arizona, attended the conference. Stories circulated about Henry Ford, founder, Ford Motor Company; Lee Iacocca, former CEO, Chrysler Motor Company; and Shoichiro Toyoda, founder, Toyota Motor Company.

Use parentheses to set off nonessential sentence elements, such as explanations, directions, questions, and references.

Researchers find that the office grapevine (see Chapter 1 for more discussion) carries surprisingly accurate information. Only two dates (February 15 and March 1) are suitable for the meeting. Tip: Careful writers use parentheses to de-emphasize and the dash to emphasize parenthetical information. One expert said, "Dashes shout the news; parentheses whisper it."

Capitalize most nouns followed by numbers or letters (except in page, paragraph, line, and verse references).

Room 14 Exhibit A Flight 12, Gate 43 Figure 2.1 Plan No. 1 Model Z2010

If an ownership word does end in an s sound and is singular, add an apostrophe and s.

The witness's testimony was critical. (Add 's because the ownership word witness is singular and ends in an s.) The boss's cell phone rang during the meeting. (Add 's because the ownership word boss is singular and ends in an s.) If the ownership word ends in an s sound and is plural, add only an apostrophe. Both investors' portfolios showed diversification. (Add only an apostrophe because the ownership word investors is plural and ends in an s.) Some workers' benefits will cost more. (Add only an apostrophe because the ownership word workers is plural and ends in an s.)

Present Tense is "do". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "do"?

did, done

Capitalize names of geographic locations. Capitalize north, south, east, west, and their derivatives only when they represent specific geographic regions.

from the Pacific Northwest heading northwest on the highway living in the West west of the city Midwesterners, Southerners western Oregon, southern Ohio peace in the Middle East a location east of the middle of the city

Present Tense is "give". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "give"?

gave, given

Present Tense is "know". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "know"?

knew, known

Do not capitalize family titles used with possessive pronouns.

my mother, his father, your cousin

Present Tense Past Tense Past Participle

(Today I _________ ) (Yesterday I _________ ) (I have _________ )

Comma splice

A comma splice results when a writer joins (splices together) two independent clauses—without using a coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but).

Conjunction

A sentence with two independent clauses must be joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but) or by a semicolon (;). Without a conjunction or a semicolon, a run-on sentence results.

Capitalize the main words in the specific names of departments, divisions, or committees within business organizations. Do not capitalize general references.

All forms are available from our Department of Human Resources. The Consumer Electronics Division launched an upbeat marketing campaign. We volunteered for the Employee Social Responsibility Committee. You might send an application to their personnel department.

Use a question mark after a direct question and after statements with questions appended.

Are they hiring at BioTech, Inc.? Most of their training is in-house, isn't it?

For jargon, slang, words used in a special sense such as humor or irony, and words following stamped or marked, some writers use italics. Other writers use quotation marks.

Computer criminals are often called hackers (or "hackers"). (Jargon) My teenager said that the film The Hunger Games is sick (or "sick"). (Slang) Justin claimed that he was too ill (or "too ill") to come to work yesterday. (Irony) The package was stamped Fragile (or "Fragile"). (Words following stamped) Tip: Never use quotation marks arbitrarily, as in Our "spring" sale starts April 1.

Use a colon after business letter salutations and to introduce long quotations.

Dear Mr. Duran: Dear Lisa: In discussing social media conversations, the consultant said: "Finding the right balance will take time, if it is ever achieved. Unlike face-to-face conversations, there's really no good way yet for people to let one another know when they are revealing too much." Tip: Use a comma to introduce short quotations. Use a colon to introduce long one-sentence quotations and quotations of two or more sentences.

Capitalize product names only when they refer to trademarked items. Do not capitalize the common names following manufacturers' names.

Dell laptop computer Skippy peanut butter NordicTrack treadmill Eveready Energizer Norelco razor Canon color copier Coca-Cola Panasonic plasma television Big Mac sandwich

Which choice does not represent preferred usage?

Dinner will be at six p.m. - Checked as not preferred usage The numbers in the following sentences are expressed appropriately. We counted 39 representatives at the meeting. He had only $5 in his pocket. Letters will be sent on the 15th of March.

Contractions

Don't confuse possessive pronouns and contractions. Contractions are shortened forms of subject-verb phrases (such as it's for it is, there's for there is, who's for who is, and they're for they are).

Tip: In joining singular and plural subjects with or or nor, place the plural subject closer to the verb. Then, the plural verb sounds natural. For example,

Example: Either the manufacturer or the distributors are responsible.

Tip: Trying to sound less egocentric, some radio and TV announcers incorrectly substitute myself when they should use I

Example: Jimmy and I [not myself] are cohosting the tournament.

For nouns ending in s, x, z, ch, or sh, form the plural by adding es.

Examples: All businesses must pay their taxes. The Lopezes purchased two watches as graduation gifts.

Use possessive pronouns to show ownership. Possessive pronouns (such as hers, yours, whose, ours, theirs, and its) require no apostrophes.

Examples: All reports except yours (not your's) have to be rewritten. The apartment and its (not it's) contents are hers (not her's) until June.

Subjects joined by or or nor may require singular or plural verbs. The verb should agree with the closer subject.

Examples: Either the software or the printer is (not are) causing the glitch. (The verb is controlled by the closer subject, printer.) Neither St. Louis nor Chicago has (not have) a chance of winning. (The verb is controlled by Chicago.)

Use who or whoever for subjective-case constructions and whom or whomever for objective-case constructions. In determining the correct choice, it is helpful to substitute he for who or whoever and him for whom or whomever.

Examples: For whom was this software ordered? (The software was ordered for him.) Who did you say called? (You did say he called) Give the supplies to whoever asked for them. (In this sentence the clause whoever asked for them functions as the object of the preposition to. Within the clause whoever is the subject of the verb asked. Again, try substituting he: he asked for them.)

Tip: When a pronoun appears in combination with a noun or another pronoun, ignore the extra noun or pronoun and its conjunction. Then, the case of the pronoun becomes more obvious.

Examples: Jason asked Jennifer and me (not I) to lunch. (Ignore Jennifer and.) The waiter brought hamburgers to Jason and me (not I). (Ignore Jason and.)

Tip: Be especially alert to the following prepositions: except, between, but, and like. Be sure to use objective pronouns as their objects.

Examples: Just between you and me (not I), that mineral water comes from the tap. Everyone except Robert and him (not he) responded to the invitation.

Make pronouns agree in number and gender with the words to which they refer (their antecedents). When the gender of the antecedent is obvious, pronoun references are simple.

Examples: One of the men failed to fill in his (not their) name on the application. (The singular pronoun his refers to the singular One.) Each of the female nurses was escorted to her car (not their cars). (The singular pronoun her and singular noun car are necessary because they refer to the singular subject Each.) Somebody on the girls' team left her (not their) headlights on. When the gender of the antecedent could be male or female, sensitive writers today have a number of options.

Nouns ending in y form the plural in two ways. When the letter before y is a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), form the plural by adding s only. When the letter before y is a consonant (all letters other than vowels), form the plural by changing the y to ie and adding s.

Examples: Several attorneys worked on the privacy cases. Both cities provided extensive libraries for citizens.

Use subjective-case pronouns as subjects of verbs and as complements. Complements are words that follow linking verbs (such as am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been) and rename the words to which they refer.

Examples: She and I (not her and me) will be collaborating. (Use a subjective-case pronoun as the subject of the verb phrase will be collaborating.) We hope that Marci and he (not him) will join our team. (Use a subjective-case pronoun as the subject of the verb phrase will join.) It must have been she (not her) who called last night. (Use a subjective-case pronoun as a subject complement.) Tip: If you feel awkward using subjective pronouns after linking verbs, rephrase the sentence to avoid the dilemma. Instead of It is she who is the boss, say, She is the boss.

Use pronouns ending in self only when they refer to previously mentioned nouns or pronouns.

Examples: The president himself ate all the M&Ms. Send the chocolates to Mike or me (not myself).

Numbers one through twenty are generally written as words in business documents.

False - Numbers one through ten are usually written as words.

Tip: Polite requests often sound like questions. To determine the punctuation, apply the action test. If the request prompts an action, use a period. If it prompts a verbal response, use a question mark.

Faulty Could you please correct the balance on my next statement? (This polite request prompts an action rather than a verbal response.) Improved Could you please correct the balance on my next statement.

Tip: Be sure that the statement before a colon is grammatically complete. An introductory statement that ends with a preposition (such as by, for, at, and to) or a verb (such as is, are, or were) is incomplete. The list following a preposition or a verb actually functions as an object or as a complement to finish the sentence.

Faulty Three Big Macs were ordered by: Pam, Jim, and Lee. (Do not use a colon after an incomplete statement.) Improved Three Big Macs were ordered by Pam, Jim, and Lee. Faulty Other items that they ordered were: fries, Cokes, and salads. (Do not use a colon after an incomplete statement.) Improved Other items that they ordered were fries, Cokes, and salads.

Tip: To determine whether an ownership word ends in an s, use it in an of phrase.

For example, one month's salary becomes the salary of one month. By isolating the ownership word without its apostrophe, you can decide whether it ends in an s.

Fragments.

Fragments often can be identified by the words that introduce them—words such as although, as, because, even, except, for example, if, instead of, since, so, such as, that, which, and when. These words introduce dependent clauses. Make sure such clauses are always connected to independent clauses.

What words require semi-colons?

In joining independent clauses, beware of using a comma and words such as consequently, furthermore, however, therefore, then, and thus. These conjunctive adverbs require semicolons.

Semicolons, Colons Use a semicolon to join closely related independent clauses. Experienced writers use semicolons to show readers that two thoughts are closely associated. If the ideas are not related, they should be expressed in separate sentences. Often, but not always, the second independent clause contains a conjunctive adverb (such as however, consequently, therefore, or furthermore) to show the relation between the two clauses. Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb of two or more syllables (such as however, consequently, therefore, or furthermore) and a comma after it.

Learning history is easy; learning its lessons is almost impossible. (A semicolon joins two independent clauses.) He was determined to complete his degree; consequently, he studied diligently. (A semicolon precedes the conjunctive adverb, and a comma follows it.) Serena wanted a luxury apartment located near campus; however, she couldn't afford the rent. (A semicolon precedes the conjunctive adverb, and a comma follows it.)

Verb Agreement

Make subjects agree with verbs despite intervening phrases and clauses. Become a detective in locating true subjects. Don't be deceived by prepositional phrases and parenthetic words that often disguise the true subject. Examples: Our study of annual budgets, five-year plans, and sales proposals is (not are) progressing on schedule. (The true subject is study.) The budgeted item, despite additions proposed yesterday, remains (not remain) as submitted. (The true subject is item.) A vendor's evaluation of the prospects for a sale, together with plans for follow-up action, is (not are) what we need. (The true subject is evaluation.)

Do not capitalize titles following names unless they are part of an address:

Mark Yoder, president of Yoder Enterprises, hired all employees. Paula Beech, director of Human Resources, interviewed all candidates. Send the package to Amanda Lopez, Advertising Manager, Cambridge Publishers, 20 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. (Title in an address)

Use one period to end a statement, command, indirect question, or polite request. Never use two periods.

Matt worked at BioTech, Inc. (Statement. Use only one period.) Deliver it before 5 p.m. (Command. Use only one period.) Stacy asked whether she could use the car next weekend. (Indirect question) Will you please send me an employment application. (Polite request)

Capitalize courtesy, professional, religious, government, family, and business titles when they precede names.

Mr. Jameson, Mrs. Alvarez, and Ms. Robinson (Courtesy titles) Professor Andrews, Dr. Lee (Professional titles) Rabbi Cohen, Pastor Williams, Pope Francis (Religious titles) Senator Tom Harrison, Mayor Jackson (Government titles) Uncle Edward, Mother Teresa, Cousin Vinney (Family titles) Vice President Morris, Budget Director Lopez (Business titles)

Do not capitalize a title when it is followed by an appositive (that is, when the title is followed by a noun that renames or explains it).

Only one professor, Jonathan Marcus, favored a tuition hike. Local candidates counted on their governor, Lee Jones, to help raise funds.

Generally, do not capitalize a title that replaces a person's name.

Only the president, his chief of staff, and one senator made the trip. The director of marketing and the sales manager will meet at 1 p.m.

Tip: To avoid the punctuation dilemma with polite requests, do not phrase the request as a question. Phrase it as a command:

Please correct the balance on my next statement. It still sounds polite, and the punctuation problem disappears.

Prepositions

Prepositions are connecting words that show the relationship of a noun or pronoun to other words in a sentence.

Capitalize only specific academic courses and degrees.

Professor Donna Hernandez, PhD, will teach Accounting 121 next spring. James Barker, who holds bachelor's and master's degrees, teaches marketing. Jessica enrolled in classes in management, English, and business law.

Capitalize proper nouns and proper adjectives. Capitalize the specific names of persons, places, institutions, buildings, religions, holidays, months, organizations, laws, races, languages, and so forth. Do not capitalize seasons, and do not capitalize common nouns that make general references.

Proper Nouns Common Nouns Michelle Deluca the manufacturer's rep Everglades National Park the wilderness park College of the Redwoods the community college Empire State Building the downtown building Environmental Protection Agency the federal agency Persian, Armenian, Hindi modern foreign languages Annual Spring Festival in the spring Proper Adjectives Hispanic markets Italian dressing Xerox copy Japanese executives Swiss chocolates Reagan economics

Learn the three cases of pronouns and how each is used. Pronouns are substitutes for nouns. Every business writer must know the following pronoun cases.

Subjective (Nominative) Case Objective Case Possessive Case Used for subjects of verbs and subject complements Used for objects of prepositions and objects of verbs Used to show possession we I me my, mine us our, ours you you you, yours he him his she her her, hers Subjective (Nominative) Case Objective Case Possessive Case Used for subjects of verbs and subject complements Used for objects of prepositions and objects of verbs Used to show possession it it its they them their, theirs who, whoever whom, whomever whose

Verb Agreement tip

Subjects are nouns or pronouns that control verbs. To find subjects, cross out prepositional phrases beginning with words such as about, at, by, for, from, of, and to. Subjects of verbs are not found in prepositional phrases. Also, don't be tricked by expressions introduced by together with, in addition to, and along with.

Use a colon after a complete thought that introduces a list of items. Words such as these, the following, and as follows may introduce the list or they may be implied.

The following cities are on the tour: Louisville, Memphis, and New Orleans. An alternate tour includes several West Coast cities: Seattle, San Francisco, and San Diego.

Past-particle tense

The past-participle tense requires auxiliary verbs such as has, had, have, would have, and could have. The most frequent mistake in tenses results from substituting the past-participle form for the past tense.

Use a dash to (a) set off parenthetical elements containing internal commas, (b) emphasize a sentence interruption, or (c) separate an introductory list from a summarizing statement. The dash has legitimate uses. However, some writers use it whenever they know that punctuation is necessary, but they are not sure exactly what. The dash can be very effective, if not misused.

Three top students—Gene Engle, Donna Hersh, and Mika Sato—won awards. (Use dashes to set off elements with internal commas.) Executives at Apple—despite rampant rumors in the stock market—remained quiet regarding dividend earnings. (Use dashes to emphasize a sentence interruption.) Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey—these were areas hit by recent earthquakes. (Use a dash to separate an introductory list from a summarizing statement)

Tip: Don't use a semicolon unless each clause is truly independent. Try the sentence test. Omit the semicolon if each clause could not stand alone as a complete sentence.

Tip: Don't use a semicolon unless each clause is truly independent. Try the sentence test. Omit the semicolon if each clause could not stand alone as a complete sentence. Faulty There is no point in speaking; unless you can improve on silence. (The second half of the sentence is a dependent clause. It could not stand alone as a sentence.) Improved There is no point in speaking unless you can improve on silence. Improved Although I cannot change the direction of the wind; I can adjust my sails to reach my destination. (The first clause could not stand alone.) Improved Although I cannot change the direction of the wind, I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.Faulty

Correct The Finance Committee is working harmoniously. (Committee is singular because its action is unified.) The Planning Committee are having difficulty agreeing. (Committee is plural because its members are acting individually.) Improved The Planning Committee members are having difficulty agreeing. (Add the word members if a plural meaning is intended.)

Tip: In the United States, collective nouns are generally considered singular. In Britain collective nouns are generally considered plural.

160 Frequently Misspelled Words

absence convenient familiar maintenance accommodate correspondence fascinate manageable achieve courteous feasible manufacturer acknowledgment criticize February mileage across decision fiscal miscellaneous adequate deductible foreign mortgage advisable defendant forty necessary analyze definitely fourth nevertheless annually dependent friend ninety appointment describe genuine ninth argument desirable government noticeable automatically destroy grammar occasionally bankruptcy development grateful occurred becoming disappoint guarantee offered beneficial dissatisfied harass omission budget division height omitted business efficient hoping opportunity calendar embarrass immediate opposite canceled emphasis incidentally ordinarily catalog emphasize incredible paid changeable employee independent pamphlet column envelope indispensable permanent committee equipped interrupt permitted congratulate especially irrelevant pleasant conscience evidently itinerary practical conscious exaggerate judgment prevalent consecutive excellent knowledge privilege consensus exempt legitimate probably consistent existence library procedure control extraordinary license profited prominent remittance sufficient unnecessarily quality representative supervisor usable quantity restaurant surprise usage questionnaire schedule tenant using receipt secretary therefore usually receive separate thorough valuable recognize similar though volume recommendation sincerely through weekday referred software truly writing regarding succeed undoubtedly yield

Confusing words

accede: to agree or consent credible: believable exceed: over a limit creditable: good enough for praise or esteem; reliable accept: to receive except: to exclude; (prep) but desert: (n) arid land; (v) to abandon adverse: opposing; antagonistic dessert: sweet food averse: unwilling; reluctant device: invention or mechanism advice: suggestion, opinion devise: to design or arrange advise: to counsel or recommend disburse: to pay out affect: to influence disperse: to scatter widely effect: (n) outcome, result; (v) to bring about, to create elicit: to draw out illicit: unlawful all ready: prepared envelop: (v) to wrap, surround, or conceal already: by this time envelope: (n) a container for a written message all right: satisfactory every day: each single day alright: unacceptable variant spelling everyday: ordinary altar: structure for worship farther: a greater distance alter: to change further: additional appraise: to estimate formally: in a formal manner apprise: to inform formerly: in the past ascent: (n) rising or going up grate: (v) to reduce to small particles; to cause ir-ritation; (n) a frame of crossed bars blocking a passage assent: (v) to agree or consent assure: to promise great: (adj) large in size; numerous; eminent or distinguished ensure: to make certain insure: to protect from loss hole: an opening capital: (n) city that is seat of government; wealth of an individual; (adj) chief whole: complete capitol: building that houses state or national lawmakers imply: to suggest indirectly infer: to reach a conclusion cereal: breakfast food lean: (v) to rest against; (adj) not fat serial: arranged in sequence to quote; to summon location lien: (n) legal right or claim to property legally responsible damaging written statement cite: to quote; to summon liable: legally responsible site: location libel: damaging written statement sight: a view; to see loose: not fastened coarse: rough texture lose: to misplace course: route; part of a meal; unit of learning miner: person working in a mine complement: that which completes minor: (adj) lesser; (n) person under age compliment: (n) praise or flattery; (v) to praise or flatter patience: calm perseverance conscience: regard for fairness personal: private, individual conscious: aware personnel: employees council: governing body plaintiff: (n) one who initiates a lawsuit counsel: (n) advice, attorney, consultant; (v) to give advice plaintive: (adj) expressive of suffering or woe populace: (n) the masses; population of a place than: conjunction showing comparison populous: (adj) densely populated then: adverb meaning "at that time" precede: to go before their: possessive form of they proceed: to continue there: at that place or point precedence: priority they're: contraction of they are precedents: events used as an example to: preposition; sign of the infinitive principal: (n) capital sum; school official; too: adverb meaning "also" or "to an excessive (adj) chief extent" principle: rule of action two: a number stationary: immovable waiver: abandonment of a claim stationery: writing material

Present Tense is "begin". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "begin"?

began, begun

Present Tense is "break". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "break"?

broke, broken

Present Tense is "bring". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "bring"?

brought, brought

Present Tense is "come". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "come"?

came, come

Present Tense is "choose". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "choose"?

chose, chosen

Present Tense is "go". What is the Past Tense and Past Particle for "go"?

went, gone