English for Legal

Advocacy

Module 3
 Verbs

Lesson 1:
Types of Verbs
1. Action verbs show an action either physical
or mental.
 Smith catches the ball.
 Catriona is wearing an expensive gown.
 Jane imagines great things.

Transitive Verbs - Object

In the afternoon, Jet takes a nap.
The student read three books this semester.

Intransitive Verbs – Complete

Jet sleeps lightly for an hour.
The student read often during the semester.
 2. Verbs of being show a state of existence.
(to be)

 Smith is a provincial news reporter.

 Catriona is the fourth Filipina to wear the crown.
 Jane and Henry are business partners.

3. Linking verbs link the subject to its

complement. (Verbs of the senses)

• The linguini tastes delicious.

• Among the brothers, Jack became the doctor.
• The cake smells good.
 Verbs

Lesson 2:
Tenses of the Verb
Classification of Verb Tenses
 Simple Tenses  Perfect Tenses
 Present  Present
 Ordinary Form  Completed Form
 Progressive Form  Progressive Form
 Past  Past
 Ordinary Form  Completed Form
 Progressive Form  Progressive Form
 Habitual Form
 Future
 Future  Completed Form
 Will/Shall Form  Progressive Form
 “Going to” Form
The Simple Tenses

The Simple Present

Tense
 (1) The Simple Present Ordinary Form

The simple present tense ordinary form is

used to indicate general truth or permanent
condition.

Examples:
• Water boils at 100 Celsius.
• The earth revolves around the sun.
• The sun rises in the east.
• Manila is in Luzon.
• People need food.
 (1) The Simple Present Ordinary Form

The simple present tense ordinary form is

used to indicate habitual action. (adverb of
frequency)

Examples:
• I sometimes go to the cinema.
• Clark plays football every weekend.
• The Chicago Bulls practices in this gym every
month.
• The kid sleeps with his grandparents every
Monday.
 (1) The Simple Present Ordinary Form

The simple present tense ordinary form is

used to indicate present state, feeling or
perception.

Examples:
• The family‟s car looks old.
• Catriona Gray is Miss Universe 2018.
• US people like fried food.
• Babies drink milk.
• Spiders make webs.
(2) The Simple Present Progressive Form

The simple present tense progressive form is

used to indicate continuing or an on-going
action.

Examples:
• At this time, the computer programs are being
updated.
• We are discussing the details of the project at this
moment.
• Right now, Tessa is buying tickets for her children.
The Simple Tenses

The Simple Past

Tense
 (1) The Simple Past Ordinary Form

The simple past tense ordinary form is used to

indicate an action that happened at a definite
time in the past

Examples:
• Last night, I played the guitar loudly, so the
neighbors complained.
• Last year, the family traveled to Japan and
Korea.
• The officers dined with the guest last night.
 (2) The Simple Past Progressive Form

The simple past tense progressive form is

used to show that an ongoing past action was
happening at a specific moment of
interruption, or that two ongoing actions were
happening at the same time.
Examples:
• You were studying when she called.
• When the phone rang, she was writing a
letter.
• John was studying when his mother was
making dinner.
 (2) The Simple Past Progressive Form

Use the past continuous to indicate that a

longer action in the past was interrupted. The
interruption is usually a shorter action in the
simple past.
Examples:
• While John was sleeping last night,
someone stole his car.
• Sammy was waiting for us when we got off
the plane.
• While I was writing the email, the computer
suddenly went off.
 (2) The Simple Past Progressive Form

Use the past continuous to indicate that a

longer action in the past was interrupted.
However, you can also use a specific time as
an interruption.

Examples:
• Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
• At midnight, we were still driving through the
desert.
• Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at
work.
 (2) The Simple Past Progressive Form

Use the past continuous with two actions in the

same sentence that express the idea that both
actions were happening at the same time or
parallel.

Examples:
• While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching
television.
• Were you listening while he was talking?
• I was not paying attention while I was writing the
letter.
 (3) The Simple Past Habitual Form

Use the simple past tense habitual form to indicate

an action that was habitually done in the past and is
no longer done in the present. (used to + verb)

Examples:
• The board used to meet twice a year after the
election.
• My sister used to serve in the election when she was
working in a public school.
• The president used to cancel classes every time
there were rallies held in the past.
The Simple Tenses

The Simple Future

Tense
(1) The Simple Future “Will/Shall” Form

Use the simple future tense “will/shall” form

to indicate an action that will happen in the
future.

Examples:
• The equipment for the new laboratory will be
delivered on Monday.
• The President will sign the memorandum when he
arrives from the trip.
• We shall convene once the officers are all here.
 (2) The Simple Future “Going to” Form

Use the simple future tense “going to” form

with helping verbs am, is, are, will be, and
shall be to also express a future action.

Examples:
• The swimming champion is going to train aspirants
next month.
• In December, this office is going to celebrate its
first year anniversary.
• Tonight, Mr. Santos‟ brothers are going to visit him
at the hospital.
 The Perfect Tenses

The Present Perfect Tense

- Involve at least two time
signals
- Indefinite time in the
past
 (1) Present Perfect – Completed Form

 Use the present perfect completed form to

denote an action that started in the past and
completed in the present.
 Has+ Vpp (3rd singular)
 Have + Vpp (all except 3rd singular)

Examples:
• Jason has (just) finished a degree in medicine.
• His sisters have (just) spoken to his professor in
algebra.
• Their parents have (just) renewed their passports
so that they could travel to Canada.
 (1) Present Perfect – Completed Form

 Use the present perfect completed form to

denote an action that started in the past and
still continuing at the present

Examples:
• The auditors have reviewed the financial
statements since January of this year.
• Their reports have been discussed by the board
several times.
• The chairman of the board has revised his
statements since last month.
 (1) Present Perfect – Completed Form

 Use the present perfect completed form to

denote an action that was completed at an
indefinite time in the past.

Examples:
• The rain has stopped.
• Man has walked on the moon.
• Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
• My English has improved.
• Japanese has become one of the popular courses in
the University.
 (2) Present Perfect – Progressive Form

 Use the present perfect progressive form to

stress the duration of time.

Examples:
• The plants have been growing since they were
transferred to their new location.
• Our son has been studying calculus since his first
day in college.
• We have been working on this project since we
started in the company.
The Perfect Tenses

The Past Perfect

Tense
Had + Vpp
Completed
Progressive
 (1) Past Perfect – Completed Form

 Use the past perfect tense to denote the earlier of

two past actions.

Examples:
• After Ryan had finished his work, he went to lunch.
• The utility man washed the floor after the painter
had gone.
• We had met Anthony before you introduced him to
us at the party.
• She had just left the scene when the ambulance
arrived.
 (2) Past Perfect – Progressive Form

 Use the past perfect tense progressive form to

denote an action that started in the past and still
continuing before another past action occurred.

Examples:
• The passengers had been boarding the plane when
the pilot announced an engine trouble.
• The manager had been reading the email when his
assistant interrupted him.
• The family had been enjoying their dinner for quite
a while when they realized that their youngest son
was missing.
The Perfect Tenses

The Future Perfect

Tense
 (1) Future Perfect – Completed Form

 Use the future perfect tense to denote a future

action which will occur before another future
action or point of time.
 will/shall have + Vpp

Examples:
• By the time the visa needs to be renewed, her sisters will
have worked in London for three years.
• You will have worked 20 hours by Sunday.
• By this time next year, we will have been married for 25
years.
• If everything goes well, Dana will have finished her MBA by
2021.
 (2) Future Perfect – Progressive Form

 Use the future perfect progressive tense to talk

about an action that will already have started and
will still be happening by a certain time in the
future.
Examples:
• By the time you get here, we will have been building
the house for a year.
• By 2022, Adam will have been selling sports
equipment for 10 years.
• The customer service department will have been
operating for 2 years by then.
 Verbs

Lesson 3:
Subject-Verb
Agreement
 General Rule:

 The verb must always agree with its subject.

Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural
subjects take plural verbs.

• The dog growls when it is angry.

• The dogs growl when they are angry.

• My favorite type of movie is comedy.

• Comedies are my favorite types of movie.

• The car stays in the garage.

• The cars stay in the garage.
Subjects with Intervening Expressions

 A verb should agree with its subject even

when words come between them.
• The symptoms of diabetes in the early stages are so
slight that people don‟t notice them.

• The intricacy of the overlapping, brightly colored

patterns makes a viewer slightly dizzy at first.

• Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage

classroom participation include using small groups
and clarifying expectations.
 Compound Subjects joined by AND

 Two or more subjects joined by AND usually

take a plural verb.

• The doctoral student and the committee members

write every day.

• A car and a bike are my means of transportation.

• My friend and his mother are in town.

 Compound Subjects joined by AND

 When two singular nouns joined by „and‟

refer to the same person or thing, the verb is
singular.
• Red beans and rice is my mom's favorite dish.
• The captain and coach of the team has been sacked.
• In case these were two different individuals,
two articles need to be used:
• The captain and the coach of the team have been
sacked.
 Compound Subjects joined by AND

 When a compound subject is preceded by EACH or

EVERY, the verb is usually singular.
• Under the border guard‟s keen eye, every pedestrian,
cyclist, and motorist suffers a close scrutiny.

• Every cave, gorge, and grove was searched for the

missing campers.

• During the trip, every man and woman is required to

sign on the manifesto.

• Every plate and bowl goes on that shelf after use.

 Compound Subjects joined by AND

 When a compound subject is followed by

EACH, the verb is singular.
• Smoking and drinking, each is not allowed inside the
guest room.

• Running around the field and swimming for hours,

each requires great amount of strength and stamina.

• The research process and the publication of works,

each involves a good deal of time and money.
Compound Subjects joined by OR or NOR

 Singular subjects joined by OR or NOR take

singular verbs.
• The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal
before proceeding.
• Either the dog or the cat is responsible for the mess.
 Plural subjects joined by OR or NOR take
plural verbs.
• The chairpersons or the mid-managers approve the
proposal before proceeding.
• Either the dogs or the cats are responsible for the
mess.
Compound Subjects joined by OR or NOR

 When one subject is singular and the other

one is plural, the verb agrees with the nearer
subject.
• Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that
shelf.
• Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that
shelf.
• Either the bears or the lion has escaped from the
zoo.
• Neither the lion nor the bears have escaped from
the zoo.
 Indefinite Pronouns as Subject

 Generally use singular verbs with singular

indefinite pronouns.
• Everyone possesses a generous heart.
• Everybody was asked to observe silence.
• Something in the plan has been changed.
• Use plural verbs for plural indefinite
pronouns.
• Many outcomes are possible.
• Several participants ask for a copy of the notes.
• Both speakers use unique introductions.
 Collective Nouns as Subject

 Collective nouns take singular or plural

verbs depending on how they are used.
• The new company is the result of a merger.
• An average family consists of four people.
• The committee, which was formed in 2012, is made up
of four men and four women.
• The committee have asked for sandwiches for lunch.
They have to leave early.
• My family, who do not see me often, have asked me
home for Christmas.
• The team hope to win next time.
 Nouns Plural in Form but Singular in
Meaning and Use
 Most nouns plural in form singular in
meaning take singular verbs.
• Physics remains a favorite subject of many
students.
• Calculus is a branch of mathematics; mathematics
is not an easy subject for some people.
• Diabetes affects many people around the world
nowadays.
• Politics also destroys families and friends.
• The news about dengue cases has caused alarm to
many.
Inverted Sentences and Sentences that
begin with Here or There
 The verb must agree with the subject even
when the subject follows the verb and when
the sentence begins with THERE or HERE.
• Out of the pages of that best-selling novel appear
eerie characters, mysterious situations, and
philosophical riddles.
• There is a problem with the balance sheet.
• Here are the papers you requested.
• There were five books on the shelf.
• There are several hats outside in the rain
 Sentences with Predicate Nominative

 A linking verb must agree with its subject,

not with the predicate nominative or
predicate adjective.
• The best hope for the future is our children.
• The children are the best hope for the future.

• Peanuts are great appetizers.

• A great appetizer is peanuts.
 Sentences with Relative Pronouns

 After the relative pronouns WHO, WHICH,

and THAT, use a singular verb when the
antecedent is singular and a plural verb
when the antecedent is plural.

• Mr. Ram, who was accompanied by his wife Sita

and his brother, was banished to the forest.
• One of my friends who work here won a free trip to
Korea.
• The company which hires ESL teachers who want to
work abroad is highly recommended.
 Expressions of Time, Money, Units of
Measure, and Titles
 Expressions of time, money, measurement,
weight, volume, fractions, and titles are
singular when they are considered as a
single unit.

• Five gallons of oil was required to get the engine

running.
• Sixty days is not enough time to complete the
project.
• The United Nations is headquartered in New York.
• The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.
 Other Rules

 When the percentage or a part of something

is mentioned with plural meaning the plural
verb is used.
• 40 of every 100 children are malnourished.

• Half of the goods were lost in transit.

• Two-thirds of the people are worried of the

effects of the new law.
 Other Rules
 When any of „few, many, several, both, all,
some‟ is used with a countable noun, the
verb is plural.
• Some men are needed for the battle.
• All of the children were late.
 When any of „few, many, several, both, all,
some‟ is used with an uncountable noun, the
verb is singular.
• Some milk is spoilt.
• All of the pizza was gone.
 Verbs

Lesson 4:
Moods of Verbs
 1. The indicative mood states a fact, asks a
question, or exclaims.

Sample Function
Bella arrives this morning. Statement
Will Bella arrive this morning? Question
Bella may arrive this morning. Statement
How wonderful Bella looks! Exclamation
2. The imperative mood gives a command. The
subject is always understood as "you“.
Sample Function
Eat your spinach. Command
(You) eat your spinach.
Please be good to the Request
babysitter. (You) please be good to
the babysitter.
3. The subjunctive mood occurs in the following
instances:
Instances Sample
The sentence indicates a I wouldn‟t do that if I
situation contrary to fact. were you.
The sentence shows a I demand that you be
wish, desire, or demand here on time.
in a clause beginning
with that following verbs
that desire, demand, She suggested that he see
request, or suggest. a dentist right away.
 The Subjunctive Mood
in Focus

• Forms of the Subjunctive

• Uses of the Subjunctive
 Forms of the Subjunctive Verb
 Present tense subjunctive
• The board insists that the chairman terminate the
president of the firm.
• The police suggested that the complainant file a case
against the suspect.
• It is necessary that the applicant submit his forms now.

 Past tense subjunctive

• I wish I were in Alaska now.
• The staff wishes he were given an early bonus.
• The family wishes they were together this Christmas.
 Uses of the Subjunctive Verb
 It is used in expressing condition which is
doubtful or not factual.

 I would be able to finish all the works if the

day were 32 hours long.
 I would declare today a holiday if I were the
president.
 I would go around the world if I were a
billionaire.
 Uses of the Subjunctive Verb
 It is most often found in a clause beginning
with the word if.

 Incorrect: If I was you, I would run.

 Correct: If I were you, I would run.

(The verb follows if and expresses a non-

factual condition.)
 Uses of the Subjunctive Verb
 It is also found in clauses following a verb that
expresses a doubt, a wish, regret, request,
demand, or proposal.

 Incorrect: I wish he was able to type faster.

 Correct: I wish he were able to type faster.

(The verb is in a clause following a verb expressing

a wish. It also suggests a non-factual or doubtful
condition.)
 Uses of the Subjunctive Verb
 It is also found in clauses following a verb that
expresses a doubt, a wish, regret, request,
demand, or proposal.
 Incorrect: His requirement is that everyone is
computer literate.
 Correct: His requirement is that everyone be
computer literate.

(Subordinate clause follows main clause with a

demand.)
 Uses of the Subjunctive Verb
 It is also found in clauses following a verb that
expresses a doubt, a wish, regret, request,
demand, or proposal.
 Incorrect: He recommended that each driver
reports his tips.

 Correct: He recommended that each driver report

his tips.
Verbs typically followed by clause that
take the subjunctive:

 Ask • Prefer
 Demand • Recommend
 Determine • Regret
 Insist • Request
 Move • Require
 Order • Suggest
 Pray • Wish
 Uses of the Subjunctive Verb
 It is also found in a that clause following an
imperative expression.

 Incorrect: It is important that she meets a lawyer

before filing a divorce.

 Correct: It is important that she meet a lawyer

before filing a divorce.
 Uses of the Subjunctive Verb
 Sometimes we may use
the conditional auxiliary verbs of could,
should, or would to express the same sense.
• Subjunctive: I wish he were kinder to me.
• Conditional: I wish he would be kinder to
me.
 Verbs

Lesson 5:
Active and Passive Voice of the
Verbs
VOICE: Tells whether the
subject is the doer or receiver
of the action.
 The Active Voice
 In most English sentences with an action
verb, the subject performs the action denoted
by the verb.

• The man must have eaten five hamburgers.

• Marilyn mailed the letter.
• Colorful parrots occupy the rainforests.
 The Passive Voice
 In some English sentences, the subject is not
active but is acted upon by the verbs.
• The man must have eaten five hamburgers.
• Five hamburgers must have been eaten by
the man.
• Marilyn mailed the letter.
• The letter was mailed by Marilyn.
• Colorful parrots occupy the rainforests.
• The rainforests are occupied by colorful
parrots.
 Active to Passive Voice
1. Move the active sentence's direct object into
the passive sentence's subject slot.

• Marilyn mailed the letter.

• The letter…
 Active to Passive Voice
2. Place the active sentence's subject into
a phrase beginning with the preposition by

• Marilyn mailed the letter.

• The letter… by Marilyn.

 Active to Passive Voice
3. Add a form of the auxiliary verb be to the
main verb and change the main verb's form.

• Marilyn mailed the letter.

• The letter was mailed by Marilyn.

 Passive to Active Voice
1. Move the passive sentence's subject into the
active sentence's direct object slot.

• The letter was mailed by Marilyn.

• …………………………………the letter.
 Passive to Active Voice
2. Remove the auxiliary verb be from the main
verb and change main verb's form if needed.

• The letter was mailed by Marilyn.

• ………………………mailed the letter.

 Passive to Active Voice
3. Place the passive sentence's object of the
preposition by into the subject slot.

• The letter was mailed by Marilyn.

• Marilyn mailed the letter.

 When to use the Passive
1. When the doer of the action is unknown,
unwanted, or unneeded in the sentence.

• The ballots have been counted.

• Sometimes our efforts are not fully
appreciated.
 When to use the Passive
2. When the writer wishes to emphasize the
action of the sentence rather than the doer of
the action.

• The high jump record was finally broken last

Sunday.
• A suspect was questioned for 16 hours by the
police.
 When to use the Passive
3. When the writer wishes to use passive voice
for sentence variety.

• To determine the significant relationship

between age and TV viewing hours, the t-test
was used.
• The trash bin has been cleaned while the
table has been polished.
 Test I. Correct the following sentences
for errors in verb use.
1. This basketball game was one of the most
entertaining ever.
2. This singer, along with a few others, play the
harmonica on stage.
3. Every one of the shirts have a green collar.
4. When Carol called last night I watched my
favorite TV show.
5. I had worked for this company for more than
thirty years and I intended to stay here until I retire.
 Test I. Correct the following sentences
for errors in verb use.
6. Sharon love to travel. She went abroad almost every
summer. Next year she plan to go to Peru.
7. Thomas is an author who wrote since he was a child.
8. We are late because we have some car problems.
9. By the time we get to the train, Susan has been
waited for us for more than two hours.
10. Every day I got up at six, eat breakfast at seven, and
left for work at eight. However, this morning I get up at
6:30, skips breakfast and left for work late because I
forgotten to set the alarm.
 Test II. Paragraph Writing

 Write a paragraph of 10 sentences on the following

topic: Lessons from COVID 19.

 Be sure to observe correct form of the verbs in terms

of tenses, agreement with the subject, moods, and
voices.