chapter 5

Mohamed is the new researcher.

(Researcher is a noun complement that completes the meaning of the sentence by renaming Mohamed

The caller was she.

(She is a pronoun complement that completes the meaning of caller.)

English verbs change form (inflection) to indicate four ideas:

(a) number (singular or plural); (b) person (first, second, or third); (c) voice (active or passive); and (d) tense (time).

Many linking verbs are derived from the to be verb form:

am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been. Other words that often serve as linking verbs are feels, appears, tastes, seems, sounds, looks, and smells. Notice that several of these words describe sense experiences.

direct object A noun or pronoun that follows a transitive verb and answers the question What? or Whom?.

A noun or pronoun that follows a transitive verb and answers the question What? or Whom?.

complement

A noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject is called a complement because it completes the meaning of the subject.

transitive

A verb expressing an action directed toward a person or thing; requires an object (a noun or pronoun) to complete its meaning.

participles

A verb form that is used with helping verbs to form the present-participle and the past-participle tenses.

Helping verbs

A verb that combines with a main verb to convey information about tense, mood, or voice.

intransitive

An action verb that does not require an object to complete its action.

primary tenses

Tenses used to indicate the present, the past, and the future; also called "simple tenses".

Irregular verbs form their past participle forms differently.) Like present participles, past participles must combine with one or more helping verbs, which are usually forms of to have, such as has, had, or have:

Madison has researched the company thoroughly. (Past participle researched plus the helping verb has) I have called many companies. (Past participle called plus the helping verb have)

intransitive

Meaghan worked in our department last summer. (The intransitive verb worked requires no object to complete its action.) Stan dreams of opening his own business. (The intransitive verb dreams requires no object to complete its action.)

Using the -s Form Verbs

Note that third-person singular verbs require an -s ending (he needs). Therefore, whenever your subject is singular (other than I or you), you will add an s to the present-tense form of the verb. Add es if the verb ends in s, sh, ch, x, or z.

inflection

Occurs when English verbs change form to indicate number, person, voice, and tense.

passive voice

Occurs when the action in a verb is directed toward the subject.

active voice

Occurs when the verb expresses an action directed by the subject toward the object of the verb.

Active Voice: Technicians scan our computers for viruses. (The doer of the action is clearly identified.) Active Voice: The accountant made three errors in the report. (The doer of the action is named.)

Passive Voice: Our computers are scanned for viruses by technicians. (The doer of the action is subordinated to a by phrase. Emphasis is on the action rather than the doer.) Passive Voice: Three errors were made in the report. (The doer is unnamed. When the doer is unimportant or when tact is necessary, the passive voice may be used.)

Expressing "Timeless" Facts

Present-tense verbs are used to express "timeless" facts, even if these verbs occur in sentences with other past-tense verbs.

simple tenses

Tenses used to indicate the present, the past, and the future; also called "primary tenses".

Angela sent the text message. (

The action of the verb is directed to the object, message. The doer of the action is clearly identified.)

voice of business

The active voice, which writers of business and professional communications should strive to use most of the time.

voice of tact

The passive voice, which can be used to avoid mentioning the performer of the action or when indirectness is desired.

examples of past tense

Two CPAs audited our firm last month. The report focused on changes in our department.

Spelling Verbs That Change Form

Use a dictionary to verify the spelling of verbs that change form. You must be particularly careful in spelling verbs ending in y (hurry, hurries, hurried) and verbs for which the final consonant is doubled (occurred, expelled).

express an action, an occurrence, or a state of being.

Verbs

present tense

express current or habitual action. Present-tense verbs may also be used in constructions showing future action.

Linking verbs

link to the subject words that rename or describe the subject.

past participle

of a regular verb is formed by adding a d or ed to the present tense of the verb.

present participle

of regular and irregular verbs is formed by adding ing to the present tense of the verb. The present participle must be preceded by one or more helping verbs, which are usually forms of the verb to be such as am, is, are, was, were, be, and been.

past tense

show action that has been completed. Regular verbs form the past tense with the addition of d or ed.

future tense

show actions that are expected to occur at a later time. Traditionally, the helper verbs shall and will have been joined with principal verbs to express future tense. In business and professional writing today, however, the verb will is generally used as the helper to express future tense. Careful writers continue to use shall in appropriate first-person constructions (I/We shall attend the meeting).

Rachel creates our online materials. (Action) Winter holidays end the fall semester. (Occurrence) Max is the new manager. (State of being)

verbs