Correct Use of verbs

1. Correct Use of verbs Section 10.31-10.44

2. voice • Voice is that property of a transitive verb that tells whether the subject is doing the action or receiving the action described by the verb • There are two types of voice: • Active: the subject is doing the action • A hornet stung Bobby. • Passive: the subject is receiving the action • Bobby was stung by a hornet.

3. Passive Voice • A verb in the passive voice contains a form of the verb “be” (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been) plus the past participle of the main verb • Passive voice = “be” + past participle • Any verb that contains a form of “be” and a past participle is a passive verb • Shall, will, have, has, had are used in addition to “be” and the past participle in forming the future tenses and perfect tenses

4. Changing Voices • When the verb is changed from the active to the passive voice, the object of the verb becomes the subject, and the subject becomes the object of preposition • For example: • The water damaged their new carpet. • Active voice • Subject: water • DO: carpet • Their new carpet was damaged by the water. • Passive voice (has was + past participle of damage) • Subject: carpet • OP: water

5. Changing voices • Retained object: an indirect object or direct object that is retained when the verb is changed from active to passive voice • Example: • My mother gave me a bracelet. (active voice) • IO: me • DO: bracelet • I was given a bracelet by my mother. (passive voice) • The IO becomes the S; the DO is the RO • A bracelet was given me by my mother. (passive voice) • The DO becomes the S; the IO is the RO

6. Changing voices • An objective compliment that is retained when a verb is changed from active to passive voice becomes a subject complement (predicate nominative or predicate adjective) • For example: • We made Scott treasurer. (active voice) • DO: Scott • OC: treasurer • Scott was made treasurer. (passive voice) • DO becomes S; the OC becomes PN • Another example: • We considered Scott dependable. (active voice) • DO: Scott • OC: dependable • Scott is considered dependable. (passive voice) • DO becomes S; the OC becomes PA

7. Passive voice usage • Use the passive voice SPARINGLY • Overuse of passive voice causes a weak and awkward style • Use passive voice if the doer of the action is unknown • Many fine horses are raised in the bluegrass pastures of Kentucky. • Use passive voice if the object (receiver of the action) is more important that the doer of the action • The context determines this condition • Ex: Hardshell clams were used by the Indians as money. • Use the passive voice if you think it better to leave the doer of the action unidentified • Regrettable things were said in the heat of the moment.

8. Mood • The mood of a verb is a grammatical form that indicates the state of mind or manner in which a statement is made • There are three moods in the English language: • Indicative • States a fact or asks a question • He always gives his tithe. • Do you always give your tithe? • Imperative • Gives a command or makes a request • Close the door. • Please take this to the office. • Subjunctive • Expresses an action or condition as a conception of the mind rather than as a reality • If I were you, I would keep my head down. (I am not you) • I wish you were going with us. (You are not going )

9. Uses of the Subjunctive mood • Use the subjunctive mood in dependent clauses to express a condition that is contrary to fact • If he were properly disciplined, he would behave. • Use the subjunctive mood to express a statement following as if or as though • She looked as if she were going to cry. • Use the subjunctive mood in a dependent clause after an independent clause that expresses a wish, a request, or a requirement • I wish that he were able to go. • Use the subjunctive mood in a dependent clause that states a parliamentary motion or a legal judgment • I move that the meeting be adjourned until tomorrow.