Chapter 8 – Verbs: Kinds, Voices, Moods, Verbals
Synopsis
Kinds of Verbs
- Transitive verbs – transfer action to an object.
- Intransitive verbs – are complete without transferring action.
- Linking verbs join complements (words that describe or rename the subject) to sentence; they “complete” the meaning of the subject. Linking verbs include the following:
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- “To be” verbs:
am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been
- “Sense” verbs: feels, appears, tastes, seems, sounds
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Verb Voices
- Transitive verbs fall into two categories.
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- Active voice – when action is directed from a subject to an object. Use active voice in most business writing.
- Passive voice – when action is directed toward the subject. Use passive voice when the performer is unimportant or should not be named.
Verb Moods
- Indicative mood – expresses a fact.
- Imperative mood – expresses a command.
- Subjective mood – expresses a doubt, a conjecture, or a suggestion.
Verbals
- Gerunds are verb forms ending in ing that are used as nouns.
- Infinitives are verb forms preceded by to: to write, to work.
- Subjective mood – expresses a doubt, a conjecture, or a suggestion.
Tips for Using Verbals
- Be sure to make the modifiers of gerunds possessive. Example: It was Courtney’s smoking that caused office problems.
- Do not substitute the conjunction and for the infinitive to in phrases. Example: Try to (not try and) call when you arrive.
- Avoid awkward split infinitives. Awkward: Courtney would try to, when she got a new job, stop smoking. Better: When she got a new job, Courtney would try to stop smoking.
- Avoid awkward-sounding participles. Awkward: Being as you are manager, you must make a decision. Improved: Because you are manager, your must make a decision.
- Introductory verbal phrases must be followed by the word or words they can logically modify. Illogical: Turning off the computer, the document was lost. Logical: Turning off the computer, I lost the document.
True or False
1. A transitive verb requires an object. For example, this sentence includes a transitive verb and an object: Kesha wrote the report.
True
False
2. A linking verb joins (or links) a subject with a verb.
True
False
3. An intransitive verb is an action verb that requires no object. Example: Joan listens carefully.
True
False
4. A complement is a word that follows a linking verb; it renames or describes the subject.
True
False
5. Linking verbs are always some form of the to be verb.
True
False
6. Careful business writers use active-voice verbs more frequently than they use passive-voice verbs.
True
False
7. Passive voice de-emphasizes the doer by relegating the doer’s name to a prepositional phrase or by omitting it entirely. Example: The report was finished two weeks ago by Stacy.
True
False
8. The following sentence is correct: Him being late caused us to lose the contract.
True
False
9. The following sentence is correct: The president criticized them traveling by first class.
True
False
10. The following sentence is correct: We must try and finish by 5 p.m.
True
False
Multiple Choice
11. Which sentence contains a transitive verb?
William struggled to remove the jammed copier paper.
Amanda is the supervisor.
She feels bad about her mistake.
Shelley checked several Web sites before ordering office supplies.
12. Which sentence contains an intransitive verb?
The plant manager asked several workers for advice.
Traffic seems especially heavy during road construction.
Courtney has been my good friend for many years.
Alex complained bitterly about his new assignment.
13. Which sentence contains a to be linking verb?
Armando has been a supervisor for many years.
Anita seems happy with her new office position.
Matt sent an e-mail to all employees in his department.
The most interested employees responded immediately.
14. Three of the following sentences contain linking “sense” verbs. One sentence contains a transitive verb. Which one?
The sizzling pizza in the television commercial looks delicious.
This salad dressing tastes too sweet.
The computer technician feels each plug to test its connection.
Wet cardboard boxes often smell disagreeable.
15. Which of the following sentences contains a verb in the active voice?
Your check was sent yesterday.
The pilot flew the plane skillfully.
This letter was printed on our new laser printer.
Her car’s fender had been dented in the company parking lot.
16. Which of the following sentences contains a verb in the passive voice?
McDonald’s has been praised for reducing its use of foam products.
Fast-food franchises are making profits at many college locations.
We keyboarded all 15 letters in fewer than three hours.
The president has taken a real interest in our new software.
17. Classify the verb in this sentence: Passage of the legislation appears likely.
transitive
intransitive
linking
neither transitive, intransitive, or linking
18. Classify the verb in this sentence: Laura was sent to a training seminar to learn desktop publishing.
active voice
passive voice
19. Classify the verb in this sentence: Dr. Alvarez toured the new hospital facilities.
active voice
passive voice
20. Classify the verb in this sentence: Troy was given a job in Germany because of his excellent language skills.
active voice
passive voice
21. Classify the verb in this sentence: Troy has written a report describing job opportunities abroad.
active voice
passive voice
22. Classify the verb in this sentence: The office building was completed on schedule.
active voice
passive voice
23. Which of the following sentences avoids misplaced and illogical modifiers?
Falling from his bicycle, Mike’s leg was broken in three places.
Acting as president, the budget was immediately approved by Lisa.
To receive your complimentary subscription, return the enclosed card.
To receive your complimentary subscription, the enclosed card must be returned immediately.
24. Which of the following sentences is correct?
After revising for months, we finally approved a strict ethics policy.
After revising for months, a strict ethics policy was finally approved.
After scrutinizing all the applications, a candidate was selected.
After scrutinizing all the applications, selection of a candidate was finally made.
25. Which of the following sentences is correct?
For it to be accurate, you must set your watch carefully.
For it to be accurate, your watch must be set carefully.
To be accurate, it is important to set your watch carefully.
Setting your watch carefully, is important to its accuracy.
26. Which of the following sentences is correct?
The garage, which is seen walking up the driveway, holds two cars.
Walking up the driveway, the garage can be seen to hold two cars.
Holding two cars, you can see the garage walking up the driveway.
The garage, which holds two cars, can be seen as you walk up the driveway.
27. Which of the following sentences is correct?
After lingering close to death for days, reporters were allowed to interview the crash survivor.
To find a good job, diligence and perseverance are needed.
While pumping gas, an unoccupied car rolled into mine.
Showing good judgment, Winona enrolled in a paralegal course.
28. Which of the following sentences is correct?
After sending the document to the printer, the paper jammed.
Completing the job before the deadline, a bonus was earned by our team.
Lying in the top drawer, Stephen discovered the missing papers.
To receive the $200 rebate, be sure to fill out the form carefully.
29. Which of the following sentences is incorrect?
Reaching the end of her rope, Tina tied a knot in it and hung on.
After the death of his mother at the age of four, William was raised by his grandparents.
Reacting to stress, women are likely to eat more food than men eat.
To learn the names of the winners, send a self-addressed envelope.
30. Which of the following sentences is incorrect?
Recognizing his error, Dean resealed the envelope immediately.
Recognizing his error, the envelope was immediately resealed by Dean.
Skilled with computers, Rasheen had no trouble finding a good job.
To improve your computing skills, take advantage of your school’s equipment.
