Vexing Verbs FORM

• To use the correct verb, you must memorize it!

I see you. I saw you yesterday. I have seen you before.
I go now. I went yesterday. I have gone before.
I bring it now. I brought it yesterday. I have brought it before.
I do it now. I did it yesterday. I have done it before.

TENSE (Yes, English has 12 tenses, but don't get tense about them!)

• Don't switch between tenses without reason.

PRESENT: Action occurring at the present moment (also to state a truth, to discuss a creative work)
 I dance. Charlie dances. The Titanicexemplifies social inequalities.
PAST: Action completed at a definite time before the present moment
 We danced the night away.
FUTURE: Action occurring at some time beyond the present moment
Next year we will dance.
PRESENT PERFECT: Action continuing up to the present moment
 I have danced for the last time.
PAST PERFECT: Action continuing to a fixed moment in the past
 I had danced with Charlie before I married him.
FUTURE PERFECT
Action continuing to a fixed moment in the future
Before Christmas, I will have waltzed all night long with Charlie.

VOICE

• Use the active voice unless the receiver of the action is more important than the doer of the action.

 PASSIVE: The president was shot by a lawyer.
 ACTIVE: A lawyer shot the president.

AGREEMENT

• Use singular verbs with singular subjects, and use plural verbs with plural subjects.

Charlie dances. Charlie and Tonya dance. To dance and to sing are enviable.
Star Wars is a movie.