A verb is capitalized in the sentence below. What type of verb is it?
Two men and a women suspected of robbing banks in Haysville WERE captured this week.
Helping verb.
The word "were" is a helping verb because it helps the main verb "captured." The word "were" could not stand alone as the only verb in the sentence.
A verb is capitalized in the sentence below. What type of verb is it?
Authorities said no money WAS inside the car.
Linking verb.
The word "was" is a linking verb because it links the subject (money) with the prepositional phrase "inside the car". The verb "was" expresses no action.
What is the verb tense for the capitalized verb in the sentence below?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today ANNOUNCED the shut down of seafood operations at Garrison Foods, Inc. until they comply with food-safety laws.
Past tense.
The word "announced" has an -ed ending, indicating it happened in the past. In new stories, attribution words like "announced" and "said" are usually past tense.
What is the verb tense for the capitalized verb in the sentence below?
The compliant alleges that Garrison Foods HAD FAILED to maintain hand washing and toilet facilities.
Past perfect tense.
The verb "had failed" includes the helping verb "had," which indicates it's in the past perfect tense.
What is the verb tense for the capitalized verb in the sentence below?
Operations WILL RESUME only after the FDA determines that the defendants have complied with all food-safety requirements.
Future tense.
The verb "will resume" includes the helping verb "will," which means it's in the future tense.
What is the verb tense for the capitalized verb in the sentence below?
Operations will resume only after the FDA determines that the defendants HAVE COMPLIED with all food-safety requirements.
Present perfect tense.
The verb "have complied" includes the helping verb "have," which means it's in the present perfect tense.
Select the correct verb form.
Hughes said the gun (lay/laid/lain/lied) on top of the dresser when Smith entered the room.
Lay.
The verb here means "reclined," and so the correct choice is "lay," the past tense of the verb "lie.
Select the correct verb form.
The prosecuting attorney (lied/lay/laid/layed) out her case to the jury, putting special emphasis on the nanny's testimony.
Laid.
The verb here means "set down," and so the correct choice is "laid," the past tense of "lay.
Select the correct verb form.
Rainey said she (sat/set/setted) the luggage on a chair in the baggage claim area.
Set.
The verb here means "set down" and not "sit." Rainey "set" the luggage down on the chair, which is the past tense of the verb "set.
What's wrong with the verb(s) in the following sentences?
Commissioner Helen Bostick said the FDA would pursue all companies that violate the law. "We simply can't allow companies to put the public's health at risk," Bostick says.
Said" and "says" should not be different tenses.
Generally, keep the attribution verb "said" in past tense when you're writing new stories and press releases. Don't switch back and forth between "says" and "said
What's wrong with the verb(s) in the following sentences?
Chase says Fuller is one of the most exciting players on the team.
"She really energizes the players on the floor when she comes off the bench," she said.
Verb tenses should not change from one sentence to the next.
What is the mood of the capitalized verb in the sentence below?
GO to BooksBazaar.com to center your story in the competition.
Imperative.
The verb gives a command. A clue here is that the subject "You" is only implied, and never stated in the sentence. (You go to....)
What is the mod of the capitalized verb in the sentence below?
WERE you to win, you would receive $3,500 and a Huston-Upland computer.
Subjunctive.
The verb suggests the writer in imagining or wishing for something, rather than making a factual (indicative) statement. Note the use of the verb, "were.
In the sentence below, are the capitalized verbs passive or active?
The victim WAS SPOTTED by rescuers in the river near Bear Creek Lodge.
Passive voice.
Rescuers are the ones doing the spotting, but they are stuck in the prepositional phrase "by rescuers." To make the sentence active, move "rescuers" in front of the verb to make it the subject. "Rescuers spotted the victim in the river near
The verb in the sentence below may be in passive voice. If the verb is passive, choose the sentence that makes the verb active.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of tickets are donated to a variety of charities by Thrill Mountain theme parks.
Each year, Thrill Mountain theme parks donate hundreds of thousands of tickets to a variety of charities.
Thrill Mountain theme parks are doing the donating, and so it's the subject and should be moved around in front of the verb "donate.
In the sentence below, are the capitalized verbs passive or active?
They WERE TRYING to pull him from the water at River Park.
Active voice.
When the sentence takes a "subject>verb" form, you have active voice. In this sentence, "They" is the subject.
In the sentence below, are the underlined verbs passive or active?
Sampson WAS HIT by a wild pitch, DeLorens hit a single to centerfield, and Clarke hit a single that scored Sampson.
Passive voice.
The pitch did the hitting, but the "pitch" is stuck in the prepositional phrase "by the wild pitch." To make the sentence active, move "pitch" in front of the verb, so it can be the subject. "The wild pitch hit Sampson...
The verb in the sentence below may be in passive voice. If the verb is passive, choose the sentence that makes the verb active.
Eight new rollercoasters and spectacular nighttime parades will be introduced this summer by Thrill Mountain theme parks, addin
Thrill Mountain theme parks will introduce eight new roller coasters and spectacular nighttime parades this summer, adding to an already impressive array of thrill rides and family-friendly attraction.
"Thrill Mountain theme parks" is doing the introducin
The verb in the sentence below may be in passive voice. If the verb is passive, choose the sentence that makes the verb active.
"Underwater Adventure," a ride based on the animated feature film releasing in July, will be the featured attraction of Thrill
It's already in active voice - no change is needed.