Conventions Of Usage & Agreement, & Conventions Of Verb Tense & Word Choice

Chapter: Standard English Conventions (SEC)

A Guide to Clear and Confident Writing.

The topics covered in this chapter will include:

Subject-verb agreement, Verb tense and consistency, Use of correct and appropriate words, Double negatives and their avoidance, Appropriate use of pronouns and avoiding ambiguous references, Clear antecedents for pronouns, Correct placement of adjectives and adverbs, avoiding misplaced and dangling modifiers, Proper use of coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, Appropriate use of commonly confused words (e.g., affect/effect, their/there/they're)

1. Subject-Verb Agreement: How to validate and maintain a rhythm in sentence formation.

Imagine a dance where the partners move out of sync. That's what a sentence with subject-verb disagreement looks like! Subject-verb agreement ensures the subject (who or what performs the action) and verb (the action itself) match in number (singular or plural).

• Singular Subjects & Verbs:
  • The cat chases the yarn (Correct)

• The cat “chase” the yarn (Incorrect)
• • The book lies on a table (Correct)
    • The book lies on a table. (Incorrect)
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• Plural Subjects & Verbs:
  • The cats chase the yarn. (Correct)
    • The cats “chases” the yarn (Incorrect)
  • The books lie on the table. (Correct)
    • The books lies on the table (incorrect)

Common mistakes made by students:

• Subjects with "s" endings: Nouns that appear plural but are singular (e.g., "news," "measles") require singular verbs.
  • The news is good.
• Compound Subjects: Subjects joined by "and" usually take a plural verb, but if they represent a single unit, they take a singular verb.
  • Bread and butter go well together. (plural)
  • Fish and chips is my favourite meal. (singular)
• Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., "everyone," "anyone") are singular, while others (e.g., "both," "few") can be singular or plural depending on context.
  • Everyone wants a slice of cake. (singular)
  • Both of the children were excited. (plural)

2. Modifier Placement: Adding Precision to Your Sentences

How to placing modifiers in the statement?

Modifiers (adjectives, adverbs, phrases) add detail to your writing. Placing them carefully ensures clarity and avoids confusion.

• Adjectives: Typically placed directly before the noun they modify.
  The bright red car caught my eye.
• Adverbs: Can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. She spoke softly. (modifies verb) He is exceptionally talented. (modifies adjective)
• Misplaced Modifiers: Can lead to unintended meanings. Squinting with suspicion, the detective entered the room. (Who is squinting?) Corrected: The detective, squinting with suspicion, entered the room.
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Verb Tense and Consistency – Keeping Time

• What are some tips for maintaining verb tense consistency when writing about events happening at different points in time?

Verbs act like time machines in your sentences, transporting readers to the present, past, or future. Using verb tenses consistently ensures your story flows smoothly and avoids confusion.

• Simple Tenses:
  • Present Simple: Expresses habits, truths, and general facts (e.g., I write every day. The earth revolves around the sun.)
  • Past Simple: Describes completed actions in the past (e.g., She baked a delicious cake yesterday.)
  • Future Simple: Expresses actions that will happen in the future (e.g., They will travel to Europe next summer.)
• Progressive Tenses:
  • Present Continuous: Describes ongoing actions at the moment of speaking (e.g., We are reading a fascinating book.)
  • Past Continuous: Describes actions that were ongoing at a specific point in the past (e.g., While I was waiting in line, I bumped into an old friend.)
  • Future Continuous: Expresses actions that will be ongoing at a specific point in the future (e.g., They will be working on their project all week.)

Tip: Pay close attention to time markers (e.g., yesterday, tomorrow, always) within your sentences and choose verb tenses accordingly.

3. Choosing the Right Words In the statement- Precision is Power

The right word paints a vivid picture, while the wrong one can leave your audience confused. Here are some tips for impactful word choice:

• Precise vs. Vague: Opt for precise words that evoke clear imagery (e.g., sauntered instead of walked, glimmered instead of shined).
• Formal vs. Informal: Consider the context and audience. Formal writing requires a more sophisticated vocabulary, while informal settings allow for simpler language.
• Synonyms: Explore synonyms to add variety and avoid repetition. However, ensure the chosen synonym accurately conveys the intended meaning.

Remember: A strong vocabulary is an essential tool for clear communication. Read extensively, explore dictionaries and thesauruses, and gradually expand your word bank.

 Nixing Double Negatives – Keeping it Clear

Double negatives can be tricky! They involve using two negative words together (e.g., "I don't have no money"). In formal writing, it's best to avoid them as they can create confusion about the intended meaning.

• Incorrect: I don't have no money. (Double negative)
• Correct: I don't have any money. (Single negative)

Tip: Read your sentences aloud. If you encounter two negative words negating each other, rephrase the sentence for clarity.

4. Adverbial Explorations – Modifying Verbs, Adjectives, and Other Adverbs

How to use verbs, adjectives and adverbs in the statement?

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, adding details about how, when, where, why, or to what extent.

• Modifying Verbs: Adverbs typically follow the verb they modify.
  • She spoke softly. (adverb describes how she spoke)
  • They ran quickly across the field. (adverb describes how they ran)
• Modifying Adjectives or Other Adverbs: Adverbs can modify adjectives or other adverbs to provide additional detail.
  • He is exceptionally talented. (adverb modifies the adjective "talented")
  • She arrived unusually early. (adverb modifies the adverb "early")

Tip: Be mindful of overusing adverbs. Strong verbs and precise adjectives can often convey the same meaning without an adverb.

The Peril of Misplaced Modifiers – Avoiding Confusion

Misplaced modifiers create ambiguity by attaching themselves to the wrong word, leading to unintended and often humorous consequences.

• Dangling Modifiers: These modifiers appear to modify something they aren't grammatically connected to.
  • Incorrect: Exhausted from the hike, we collapsed onto the couch. (who is exhausted?)
  • Correct: We collapsed onto the couch, exhausted from the hike.
• Misplaced Adjectives: These adjectives unintentionally modify the wrong word.
  • Incorrect: We saw a brightly colored house with a white picket fence in front. (is the fence brightly colored?)
  • Correct: We saw a house with a white picket fence in front, which was brightly colored

5. Coordinating Conjunctions – What is the concept of conjunctions.

The FANBOYS of Sentence Connection

Coordinating conjunctions, also known as FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), connect grammatically equal elements within a sentence.

• Joining Independent Clauses: These conjunctions can join two independent clauses (sentences) to create a compound sentence.
  • The movie was long, but it was entertaining. (independent clause + independent clause)
  • We went hiking and had a picnic afterwards. (independent clause + independent clause)
• Lists: Coordinating conjunctions can create lists, separating items with equal weight.
  • I bought apples, oranges, and bananas for the fruit salad.
  • She is intelligent, compassionate, and always willing to help.

Tip: When using coordinating conjunctions to join independent clauses, ensure each clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Subordinating Conjunctions – Building Complex Relationships

Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses, which rely on the main clause for complete meaning. These conjunctions establish relationships between clauses, such as time, cause, condition, or contrast.

• Common Subordinating Conjunctions: after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, while
• Time: "Since" and "until" express time relationships.
  • Since I woke up early, I decided to go for a run.
  • We waited until the rain stopped before leaving the house.
• Cause and Effect: "Because" and "since" show cause-and-effect relationships.
  • I was late because I missed the bus. (cause)
  • Since it was raining, we stayed indoors. (cause)
• Condition: "If" and "unless" introduce conditional clauses.
  • If you study hard, you will succeed.
  • We won't go to the beach unless the weather improves.

Tip: The dependent clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction usually cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Sentence Variety and Avoiding Excessive Coordination

• Sentence Variety: While coordinating conjunctions are useful, overuse can lead to choppy writing. Employ subordinating conjunctions and vary sentence structure for a more engaging flow.
  • Choppy: I went to the store. I bought groceries. I came home. (all simple sentences with coordinating conjunctions)
  • Improved: Since I needed groceries, I went to the store and came home quickly. (subordinating conjunction + compound sentence)
• Emphasis with Placement: The placement of the subordinating conjunction can affect the emphasis within the sentence.
  • Before the main clause: emphasizes the dependent clause.
    • When the weather is nice, I enjoy going for walks.
  • Within the main clause: emphasizes the main clause.
    • I enjoy going for walks, when the weather is nice.

6. Word Choice: How to use correct words in the statement?

Affect vs. Effect – Unveiling the Difference

• Affect (verb): To influence or change something.
  • The new regulations will affect the way we operate.
• Effect (noun): A change that results from an action or cause.
  • The storm had a devastating effect on the coastal towns.

Tip: Remember, "affect" is all about action, while "effect" is the resulting impact.

There, Their, They're – Taming the Trio

• There (adverb): Indicates a place.
  • The book is right there on the table.
• Their (possessive adjective): Shows ownership for a plural noun or two or more singular nouns.
  • The children built their sandcastle with pride.
• They're (contraction): Short for "they are."
  • They're coming to the party later tonight.

Trick: Substitute "he is" or "she is" for "they're" to see if the contraction fits grammatically.

Its vs. It's – Dots and Possessives

• Its (possessive adjective): Shows ownership for a singular noun (not ending in "s").
  • The cat chased its tail around the room.
• It's (contraction): Short for "it is."
  • It's a beautiful day for a picnic.

Remember: The apostrophe in "it's" indicates the missing letters to form the contraction.

Who's vs. Whose – Questions of Ownership

• Who's (contraction): Short for "who is" or "who has."
  • Who's coming to the door?
• Whose (possessive pronoun): Shows ownership for a question about someone or something.
  • Whose turn is it to play the game?

Tip: Think about using "who is" or "who has" to see if a contraction with an apostrophe is appropriate.

Then vs. Than – Sequencing and Comparisons

• Then (adverb): Indicates time sequence (after that).
  • First, preheat the oven. Then, bake the cake for 30 minutes.
• Than (conjunction): Used in comparisons.
  • This dress is more comfortable than the other one.