Right form of the Verb / Completing Sentences

Correction

In order to use right forms of the verb, one has to know the structure of sentence, proper usage of
conditionals, subject-verb agreement and tense markers.
Tense:
Tense is the most important factor in right forms of the verb. To use the right form of the verb
one has to know the structure, indicator and the usage of tense.
1. Present Indefinite Tense:
Structure: Sub+V1+object/Adverbial
** If the subject is 3rd person singular then one has to add s, ‘es’ or ‘ies’ with the verb. We usually
add ‘s’ after the verb that ends with a consonant; ‘es’ that ends with a vowel or if the last two
letters are ch or sh; and ‘ies’ that ends with ‘y’ and before ‘y’ there must have a consonant.
For example:
He hits the ball.
He goes to college.
He flies a kite
He buys a shirt.
Indicators:
Daily, usually, regularly, always, often, sometimes, off and on, now and then, occasionally, generally,
accidently, seldom, hardly, every…, on Fridays, on holidays etc.
Usage:
1. Universal truth (The sun rises in the east.)
2. Habitual action (I read the daily regularly)
3. Describing past or historical event (21st February is a red letter day.)
4. Quoting quotation (Shakespeare says, “Life is a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury
signifying nothing)
2. Present Continuous Tense:
Structure: Sub+ am/is/are+ V+ing+object/Adverbial
For example:
The population of Bangladesh is increasing day by day.
No-a-days the prices of daily necessaries are increasing.
He is playing now.
At this moment he is watching telrvision.
Indicators: Now-a-days, day by day, at this…, now, still, rapidly, at present,
Usage:
To indicate any continuous action of present tense that has started just now.

3. Present Perfect Tense:

Structure: Sub+ have/has +past participle of V +object/Adverbial
For example:
a) He has finished the work recently.
b) He has not submitted the assignment yet.
c) Have you ever been to Cox’s Bazar?
Indicators: Recently, already, just, just now, ever, yet, lately
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 Usage:
To indicate any action that has been finished but the result is still being enjoyed

4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense:

Structure: Sub+ have/has+ been+ V+ing+object/Adverbial
For example:
a) It has been raining for two hours
b) We have been living in Dhaka since 2006.
Indicators: For, since
Usage:
To indicate any continuous action of present tense that has started earlier.

5. Past Indefinite tense:

Structure: Sub+ past form of V+ object/Adverbial
For example:
a) He finished the work yesterday.
b) Once upon a time, there lived a king.
Indicators: yesterday, last…, previous…, once, once upon a time, ago, long ago, in the past, in ancient
time, the day before yesterday etc.
Usage:
To indicate any simple action of past tense.

6. Past continuous tense:

Structure: Sub+ was/were+ V+ ing+ object/Adverbial
For example:
a) They were watching movie then.
b) While they were playing football, they encountered in a clash.
Indicators: then, at that…, while +sub,
Usage:
To indicate any continuous action of past tense that started at that moment.

7. Past perfect tense:

Structure: Sub+ had + past participle of V +object/Adverbial
For example:
a) He had had his breakfast before he went to college.
b) No sooner had he reached the spot than the meeting started.
Indicators: before, after, when, no sooner had……….than, hardly had……..when, scarcely
had…….before, as if, as though, since etc.
Usage:
To indicate two actions of past tense at the same time and usually the earlier action in past
perfect tense.

8. Past perfect continuous tense:

Structure: Sub+ had+ been+ V+ing+ object/Adverbial
For example:
a) It had been raining for two hours
b) We had been living in Dhaka since 2006.
Indicators: For, since
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Usage:
To indicate any continuous action of past tense that started earlier.

9. Future Indefinite tense:

Structure: Sub+ shall/ will +VI +object/Adverbial
For example:
a) He will return home tomorrow.
b) My father will go abroad next year.
Indicators: tomorrow, next…, coming…, in the future, soon, day after tomorrow. Very soon
Usage:
To indicate any action of the simple future.

10. Future continuous tense:

Structure: Sub+ shall/will + be +V+ ing+ object/Adverbial
For example:
a) He will be reading then.
b) I shall be playing at the moment.
Indicators: then, at that…,
Usage:
To indicate any continuous action of future tense that will be started at that moment.

11. Future perfect tense:

Structure: Sub+ shall /will + have + past participle of V +object/Adverbial
For example:
a) He will have finished the work by 8 p.m.
b) He will have visited me by Sunday.
Indicators: By + time (by now, by 15th of the next month, by 10 o’clock, by Sunday etc.)
Usage:
To indicate any action that will be finished within a certain period of time.

12. Future perfect continuous tense:

Structure: Sub+ shall have/ will have+ been +V+ing +object/Adverbial
For example:
I shall have been reading the book for two hours
Indicators: For, since
Usage:
To indicate any continuous action of future tense that will be started earlier.

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 Subject-verb Agreement:
The verb of the sentence must be according to the subject. That means one has to find out whether the subject
is singular or plural. Some rules regarding the nature of the subject is discussed below:

1. If the subject is third person singular then you have to add s/es/ies with the verb. If the last letter of the
word is vowel then ‘es’; consonant then s and y then s or ies. If you find consonant before y then will add ies
and vowel before y then will add s. For example:
a) He goes to college daily.
b) She hits the ball.
c) Karim buys a shirt.
d) Sumon flies a kite.

2. If the subject of the sentence begins with every, one of, each of, none of, someone, many a , then the
subject will be singular. For example:
a) Every mother loves her child
b) One of the boys is absent today.
c) Each of the students has paid fifty taka for the party.

3. If the subject of the sentence begins with all, both, few, many, several, some then the subject will be plural.
For example;
a) Few mountain climbers have successfully reached the peak of Everest.
b) Some people in my office are very annoying.

4. If the subject of the sentence is fraction and begins with one then it will be singular but remaining cases it
will be plural. For example:
a) Two-thirds of the work are finished.
b) One third of the work is finished

5. If the subject of the sentence indicates similar length, width, depth, unit, height, etc then the subject will
be singular. In other words, measurements of money, time and distance usually require a singular verb.
a) Fifty miles is a long distance.
b) Thousand dollars is a big amount.

6. If the subject of the sentence is connected with another noun or pronoun with the words or phrases like as
well as, accompanied by, along with, with, in addition to, no less than, except, then the verb will be according
to the first subject (noun or pronoun). For example:
a) He along with his brothers is going to join the party.
b) The students accompanied by the teacher are arranging the programme.

7. If the subject of the sentence is connected with another noun or pronoun with ‘and’ and if you find no or not
after and then the verb will be according to the first subject (noun or pronoun). For example:
a) Mr. Rahman and not his sons has attended the meeting.

8. If the subject of the sentence is connected with another noun or pronoun with ‘and’ and if you find
determiner ‘the’ after and then the subject will be plural. For example:
a) The chairman and the secretary were present in the meeting.
b) The chairman and secretary was present in the meeting.

9. Prepositional phrase can never be the subject of a sentence. For example:

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 a) The author of the stories uses a pen name.
b) The colour of her eyes is black.

10. If you find either ………or, neither …….nor, not only………but also then you have to use the verb according to
the subject closest to the verb. For example:
a) Either you or your brothers have done the work.
b) Not only my brothers but also my sister sings well.
c) Neither Milton nor his cousins have done the work.

11. If the subject begins with here or there then you have to select the verb according to the following
numbers. Because here and there cannot be the subject of a sentence: For example:
a) Here is my shirt.
b) There are two rivers in our village.

12. None can be used as both singular and plural. If you find preposition after none then it will be singular but if
you do not find preposition then it will be plural. For example:
a) None of them is able to do the job.
b) None are helpless because they can always try.

13. The following nouns seem singular but actually they are plural. So if you find that the subject of a sentence
is one of the following nouns then the subject will be plural and the verb should be used accordingly. They
are as follows:
Aristocracy, nobility, clergy, poultry, cattle, people, folk, gentry, vermin, media, memoranda, criteria,
agenda, phenomena, data, rich, poor etc.
For example:
a) The clergy are happy.
b) Media play an important role in our life.

14. The following nouns seem plural but actually they are singular. So if you find that the subject of a sentence
is one of the following nouns then the subject will be singular and the verb should be used accordingly. They
are as follows: Mathematics, physics, news, politics, whereabouts, tennis, small pox, gallows, economics,
billiards, measles, mumps etc.
For example:
a) Tennis is my favourite sport.
b) His whereabouts is known to me.

15. The following nouns seem plural and they are actually plural. So if you find that the subject of a sentence is
one of the following nouns then the subject will be plural and the verb should be used accordingly. They are
as follows:
Spectacles, scissors, tidings, wages, thanks, ashes, alms, assets, aborigines, amends, bowels, auspices, entrails,
nuptials, odds, trousers, shorts, pants, jaws, glasses, shears, vitals, annals, bellows, environs etc. but if you
find the use of definite numeral adjective before these nouns then the subject will be singular:
For example:
a) His spectacles are broken.
b) A pair of shoes is on the table
16. When the word number is preceded with the word a, use a plural verb but if it is preceded with the then use
singular verb. For example:
a) A number of people are waiting to see you.
b) The number of stars in the sky seems countless.

17. If you find relative pronoun in the sentence then the verb will be according to the antecedent of the
relative pronoun. For example:
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 a) He is one of the best players who have played well in the last match.

Conditionals:
1. If
There are four basic structures regarding if. You have to use the right form of the verb on the basis of
either of the either clauses.
a) If + Present Indefinite tense = Future Indefinite tense.
For example: If you read well, you will cut a good figure in the exam.
b) If + Past Indefinite tense = Past Conditional (Second conditional).
For example: If he helped us, we would solve the problem
Past Conditional: Sub+ would/could/might + present form of verb + extension
c) If + Past Perfect tense = Perfect Conditional (Third conditional)
For example: If I had known that fact earlier I would have helped you.
Perfect Conditional: Sub+ would/could/might + have + past participle of verb + extension
d) If +sub+ were= past conditional/perfect conditional
For example: If I were a bird I would fly in the sky.
If I were a king I would have helped you.
2. Had + subject+ ……………….Perfect conditional
If any statement begins with had + subject, then the next clause will be in perfect conditional form.
For example: Had I the wings of a bird I would have flown in the sky.
Had I had enough money I would have bought a car.
3. As if / as though
There are three basic structures regarding as if/ as though. You have to use the right form of the verb on
the basis of either of the either clauses.
a) Present indefinite tense/ perfect tense + as if as though= Past indefinite tense
For example: He speaks as if he knew everything.
b) Past indefinite tense/ perfect tense + as if as though = Past Perfect tense
For example: He proceeded as though I had not spoken.
c) To be verb= were
For example: He speaks as though he were a politician.
4. Since:
There are three basic structures regarding since. You have to use the right form of the verb on the basis of
either of the either clauses.
a) Since……………………….., ……………………..(Balanced structure)
For example: Since he is ill, he is absent.
b) Present indefinite tense/ perfect tense + since = Past indefinite tense.
For example: It is many years since I met you.
c) Past indefinite tense/ perfect tense + since = Past Perfect tense.
For example: It was many years since I had written to you.
5. Would that :
If any statement begins with would that, then the structure will be:
Would that + sub+ could +base form of verb+ extension.
For example: Would that I could help them.
But if you notice to be verb then you can use were.
For example: Would that I were a writer.
6. Wish /Fancy:

If you find wish or fancy after the subject at the beginning of the sentence then the next clause will be in
past indefinite tense but if you find to be verb then it will be were:

For example: I wish I were a king. I fancy I turned pale.

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7. Lest:

If any statement begins with lest, then the structure will be:

Any tense + lest+ should/might + base form of verb + Extension

For example: He was walking fast lest he might miss the bus.

8. While:

There are two structures regarding while.

a) While + verb+ ing = Past indefinite tense/ Past continuous tense

For example: While playing football, I encountered a terrible accident.

b) While + subject + past continuous tense = Past indefinite tense/ Past continuous tense

For example: While I was playing football, I encountered a terrible accident.

9. Before:

There are two structures regarding before:

a) Before + verb +ing = Past indefinite tense/ Past Perfect tense/ Future indefinite tense

For example: Before attending the program, I had finished the work/I will finish the work

b) Past Perfect tense + before + Past indefinite tense

For example: I had had my breakfast before I came to college.

10. After:

There are two structures regarding after:

a) After + verb + ing = Past indefinite tense/ Future indefinite tense

For example: After reaching there, I had `met him/ I will meet him

b) Past indefinite tense + After + Past Perfect tense

For example: We attended the programme after we had finished our work.

11. It is time/High time/Best time/Right time/Proper time:

There are two structures regarding it is time/High time/best time/Right time/Proper time:

a) It is time + subject +Past form of verb

For example: It is time the government should take steps against corruption.

It is high time he understood his problems.

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 b) It is high time + Infinitive phrase: (if there is no subject after it is high time then use infinitive phrase)

For example: It is high time to stop acid throwing.

12. By:

If any statement begins with by, then the structure will be:

By +verb +ing = Positive statement (subject + can/may +base form of verb +Extension)

For example: By working hard, you can succeed in life.

13. Without:

If any statement begins with without, then the structure will be:

Without +verb +ing = Negative statement (subject + can’t/mayn’t +base form of verb +Extension)

For example: Without working hard, you can’t succeed in life.

14. Would you mind:

If any statement begins with would you mind, then the structure will be:

Would you mind + verb + ing………………..

For example: Would you mind closing the window.

15. Hope, believe, predict/assume/expect/suspect/ assure:

If you find hope, believe predict/assume/expect/suspect/ assure after the subject at the beginning of the
sentence then the next clause will be in future indefinite tense.

For example: I hope you will do better in the examination

He expects I will lend him my book.

16. As/since/when/though/although/till/until/unless :

If any statement begins with as/since/when/though/although/till/until/unless then the structure will be

balanced.

For example: As he is ill, he is absent.

Though he is poor, he is honest

17. No sooner had/hardly had/scarcely had:

If any statement begins with No sooner had/hardly had/scarcely had , then the structure will be:

a) No sooner had +Sub +Past participle of Verb +Extension +than + Past indefinite tense

For example: No sooner had he reached the college than the bell rang.

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 b) Scarcely had +Sub +Past participle of Verb +Extension +when + Past indefinite tense

For example: Scarcely had he smoked when he lived in the hostel.

c) Hardly had +Sub +Past participle of Verb +Extension +when + Past indefinite tense

For example: Hardly had he visited his grandparents before he left the town

18. Had better, would better, had rather, would rather, must, dare, modal auxiliaries, let:

If you find hope had better, would better, had rather, would rather, must, dare, modal auxiliaries and let in
the sentence then the structure will be:

Subject +had better + Base form of verb +Extension (There will be no “to” after the phrases)

For example: you had better leave the place.

How dare you hit him?

19. Would rather that + Sub + Verb 2

I would rather that you sang a song in the function.

20. Get/got/getting/gotten, have/has/having/had, remain, to be:

If you find get/got/getting/gotten, have/has/having/had, remain, to be after the subject at the

beginning of the sentence then the next verb will be Past participle.

For example: I had my shoe cleaned.

Our college will remain closed because of summer vacation.

21. To+ base form of verb/ verb +ing:

If you find infinitive ‘to’ in the statement then after ‘to’ you have to use the base form of verb but there
are some exceptional phrases after which you have to add ‘ing’ with the verb.

For example: I went there in order to meet him.

Exceptional phrases:

With a view to, Look forward to, Get/got/getting/gotten used to, To be verb used to, In addition to,
Addicted to, Devoted to, Accustomed to, Indulge to, Adverse to, Prefer to.

For example: I went there with a view to meeting him.

I prefer writing to reading / He was used to playing cricket.

22. Can’t but/ could not but:

If you find can’t but/ could not but after the subject at the beginning of the sentence then the next verb
will be base form.

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 For example: I cannot but help them.

23. Can’t help/could not help:

If you find can’t help/ could not help after the subject at the beginning of the sentence then the next verb
will be gerund form.

For example: The police could not help firing.

24. Preposition + Verb +’ing’:

If you find preposition before verb then you have to add ‘ing’ with the verb:

For example: He prevented me from doing the work.

25. When

If when is used as connector, then you will find two actions of the past tense. If you find that the two
actions happened at the same time then the first action will be past continuous tense and the second action
will be past indefinite tense. But if there is long gap within the action then the first action will be past
perfect tense and the second action will be past indefinite tense.

For example: He was driving the car when the accident took place.

He had lived in the U.S.A. when he bought the camera.

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