A Work by a Single Author “Quality is more important than quantity” (Keller 65–67). A Work with Two or More Authors “Quality is more important than quantity” (Keller and Leer 65–67). A Work by an Author Whose Name Is Attributed in the Sentence According to Keller, “Quality is more important than quantity” (65–67). Verbs for Signal Phrases (from The Little Brown Handbook,12th Edition) Use verbs that convey information about source authors’ attitudes or approaches. In the sentence, Smith ____ that the flood might have been disastrous, filling in the blank with observes, finds, or insists would create different meanings. Author is neutral comments describes explains illustrates notes observes points out records relates reports says sees thinks writes Author infers or suggests analyzes asks assesses concludes finds predicts proposes reveals shows speculates suggests supposes Author argues claims contends defends disagrees holds insists maintains Author agrees admits agrees concedes concurs grants Author is uneasy or disparaging
facetious fervent flippant forthright friendly funny gleeful gushy happy sprightly straightforward sympathetic tender tranquil whimsical wistful worshipful zealous Serious Clinical Haughty Objective Shocking Consoling Histrionic Obsequious Sincere Contemplative Humble Patriotic Unemotional Conventional Incredulous Persuasive Urgent Detached Informative leading Vexed Didactic Inquisitive Pretentious Wistful Disbelieving Instructive Provocative Zealous diabolic disappointed disliking disrespectful doubtful embarrassed enraged evasive fatalistic fearful forceful foreboding frantic frightened frustrated furious gloomy grave greedy grim harsh haughty holier-than-thou hopeless self-deprecating selfish serious severe sinister skeptical sly solemn somber stern stolid stressful strident suspicious tense threatening tragic uncertain uneasy unfriendly unsympathetic upset violent wry mood = emotional effect that the text creates for the audience POSITIVE MOOD WORDS NEGATIVE MOOD WORDS amused awed bouncy calm cheerful chipper confident contemplative content determined dignified dreamy ecstatic empowered energetic enlightened enthralled excited exhilarated flirty jubilant liberating light-hearted loving mellow nostalgic optimistic passionate peaceful playful pleased refreshed rejuvenated relaxed relieved satiated satisfied sentimental silly surprised aggravated annoyed anxious apathetic apprehensive barren brooding cold confining confused cranky crushed cynical depressed desolate disappointed discontented distressed drained dreary insidious intimidated irate irritated jealous lethargic lonely melancholic merciless moody morose nauseated nervous nightmarish numb overwhelmed painful pensive pessimistic predatory
Principle: A principle is a rule. Quiet: Quiet means “peaceful” or “without noise.” Quite: Quite means “entirely” or “really” or “rather” or “very.” Quit: Quit means “to give up” or “stop something.” Rain: Rain means “to precipitate.” Reign: Reign means “to rule.” Rein: Rein means “a strap for controlling and animal.” Raise: Raise means “to build up” or “increase” or “lift up.” Raze: Raze means “to tear down.” Rise: Rise means “get up from a sitting or reclining position.” Right: Right means “correct” or “opposite of left.” Rite: Rite means “a religious ceremony.” Write: Write means “to make letters.” Road: Road means “a surface for driving.” Rode: Rode is the past tense of ride.’ Scene: Scene means “where an action occurs.” Seen: Seen is the past participle of see. Seam: Seam means “junction.” Seem: Seem means “appear.” Suppose: Suppose means “to assume” or “to guess.” Supposed: Supposed is the past tense of suppose. Set: Set means “put down.” Sit: Sit means “take a seated position.” Stationary: Stationary means “unmoving.” Stationery: Stationery means “writing paper.” Straight: Straight means “unbending.” Strait: Strait means “a water passageway.” Than: Than is used in making comparisons. Then: Then means “at that time” or “next.” Their: Their is possessive. There: There indicates location. They’re: There is the contraction of they are. Threw: Threw is the past tense of throw and means “tossed.” Through: Through means “finished” or “passing from one point to another.” Though: Though means “if.” (Although) To: To means “toward” or is used with a verb. Too: Too means “also” or “very.” Two: Two is a number. Waist: Waist means “the middle of the body.”
Common Errors Spelling List a lot a/an/and accept/except affect/effect all right alone along although always among apart/a part are/our/or athlete be able benefit breath/breathe buck naked cannot choice choose/chose/chosen/ choosing clothes/cloths college/collage colonel coming convenient/convenience converse/conversation definitely different dining during eighth else embarrass environment escape especially even though everyday/every day exercise experience familiar fifteenth fill/feel/fell finally financial fourth/forth freshman/freshmen frustrate furthermore government grammar grateful high school I’m/I am idea/ideal in case in front of interest its/it’s know/no lose/loose losing mathematics may be maybe meant millennium nervous ninety ninth no one nowadays obstacle occur/occurs/occurred paid pass/passed/past/pasted patient/patience/patients perform prefer principal/principle probable/probably pursue quit/quite/quiet receive remember restaurant said scientists (any plural) semester separate similar since/sense/cents/scents sophomore stereo stopped strict studying suite surprise than/then there/their/they’re think/thank to/too/two tomorrow truly trying twelfth until/till used to/supposed to usual/unusual utmost vacuum weather/whether were/we’re/where whose/who’s writing/written your/you are/you’re No-No’s: we was he don’t would have went had did went ate I seen
Notes on Subject Verb Agreement Rules Subject AGREES with verb in NUMBER Singular subject -> Singular Verb A boy walks Plural Subject -> Plural Verb The boys walk Each } Indefinite (N) Either } Pronouns Every -one } Any -body } No -thing } Some } TAKE SINGULAR VERBS Collective Nouns A group takes a singular verb Examples: Team, committee, tribe, class, jury, Individuals takes a plural verb A number of takes a plural verb One of these takes a plural verb Present Tense Singular Verb ENDS in -s Examples: he says student does she calls person works it falls Jim talks Present Tense Plural Verb Does NOT END in -s Examples: they say students do lawyers call people work Count or MASS WORDS some all most any none FRACTIONAL EXPRESSIONS half of a part of a percentage of a majority of The verbs of these subjects depend on the noun reference. (take singular or plural verbs) EXTRA! EXTRA! Time, Measurements, Mathematical expressions and Money > AMOUNTS titles "the number" "many a" "every" "more than one" TAKE SINGULAR VERBS Singular Helping Verbs Has } Active Does } Verbs Is } Passive Was } Verbs COUNT WORDS THAT TAKE PLURAL VERBS several few both many If your subject functions as a unit, it will usually take a singular verb. Examples: Macaroni and cheese is my favorite food. Here is the fifty dollars I owe you. THERE and HERE are ADVERBS Never subjects The subject follows the verb in inverted sentences. V. S. Ex. Here is the book. COMPOUND SUBJECTS Subject(1) or Subject(2) (N)either Subject(1) (n)or Subject(2) The verb agrees with closest subject Example: Either the earrings or the necklace is enough. Either the necklace or the earrings are enough. Considered---> Singular Plural Civics scissors Politics slacks Linguistics pants News pliers Measles tweezers Economics "a pair of" IN QUESTIONS Helping verbs agree with the subjects Does she go? Do they go? Be aware of inverted sentence patterns: Near the tree sits the rabbit. COMPOUND SUBJECTS Subject(1) and Subject(2) take a PLURAL VERB Both [S] and [S] + plural verb Interrupters like prepositional phrases clauses appositives DO NOT CHANGE THE AGREEMENT