importance verb

IMPORTANCE

Missing Main Verb

English sentence must have a subject and a main verb.

a. The sound of the dryer bothers my concentration

b. The prettiest girl in our class has long brown hair and brown eyes.

c. In my opinion, it is soon to make a decision.

d. Do you know whether the movie starts at seven?

e. Sam is almost always a lot of fun.

f. The book that I lent you has a good bibliography?

Verbs that require an Infinitive in the Complement.

Remember the following words require an infinitive for a verb in the complement

agree                decide             hesitate            need                refuse

appear              demand           hope                offer                seem

arrange            deserve            intend              plan                 tend

ask                   expect              learn                prepare            threaten

claim                fail                   manage            pretend            wait

consent            forget              mean                promise            want

Avoid using -ing form after the verbs listed.

a. We planned to leave the day before yesterday

b. He wanted to speak with Mr. Brown.

c. We demand to know our status.

d. I intend to inform you that we cannot approve your application.

e. They didn't plan to buy a car.

f. The weather tends to improve in May.

Verbs that Require an -ing Form in the Complement.

1.      Admit                    appreciate                    avoid               complete                      consider

2.      delay                     deny                            discuss             enjoy                           finish

3.      keep                       mention                       miss                 postpone                      practice

4.      quit                        recall                            recommend     regret                           risk

5.      stop                       suggest                        tolerate            understand

Avoid using an infinitive after the verbs listed.

a. He enjoys traveling by plane.

b. She is considering not going.

c. We enjoyed talking with your friend.

d. Hank completed writing his thesis this summer.

e. I miss watching the news when I am traveling.

f. She mentions stopping at El Paso in her letter.

Verb phrases that Require an-ing Form in the Complement.

approve of                   be better off                can't help                     count on

do not mind               forget about                 get through                  insist on

keep on                        look forward to           object to                      think about

think of

Avoid using an infinitive after the verbs listed.

a. She forgot about canceling her appointment.

b. She is likely to know.

c. Let's go to the movie when you get through studying.

d. We can’t help wondering   why she left.

e. We wouldn't mind waiting.

Factual Conditionals-Absolute, Scientific Results.

1.      If a catalyst is used the reaction occurs more rapidly

2.      If a catalyst is used the reaction will occur more rapidly.

3.      If water freezes, it becomes a solid.

4.      If water freezes, it will become a solid.

5.      If children are healthy, they learn to walk at about eighteen months old.

6.      If children are healthy, they will learn to walk at about eighteen months old.

7.      If oranges blossoms are exposed to very cold temperatures, they wither and die.

8.      If oranges blossoms are exposed to very cold temperatures, they will wither and die.

Factual Conditionals – Probable Results for the Future

Avoid using  the present tense verb instead of a modal and a verb word in the clause of result

1.      If we find her address, we will write her

2.      We will write her if we find her address.

3.      If you put too much water in rice when you cook it, it will get sticky.

4.      It will get sticky if you put too much water in rice when you cook it.

5.      We will wait if you want to go.

6.      If you want to go, we will wait.

7.      If we finish our work a little early today, we will attend the lecture at the art museum.

8.      We will attend the lecture at the art museum if we finish our work a little early today.

Contrary-to-Fact Conditionals- Change in Conditions Unless.

            Avoid deleting unless from the sentence.

1        Luisa won't return unless she gets a scholarship.

2        I can't go unless I get my work finished.

3        They are going to get a divorce unless he stops taking drugs.

4        You won't get well unless you take your medicine.

5        We can't pay the rent unless the scholarship check comes.

6        Dean never calls his father unless he needs money.

 SUBJUNCTIVE

            The following words are used before that and the verb word clause to express importance.

            Ask                  Demand                      Desire              Insist               Prefer              Propose

            Request           Recommend                Require            Suggest           Urge               

            e.g.

a. Johnson prefers that she speak with him personally

                  b. The doctor suggested that she not smoke

c. I propose that the vote be secret ballot.

      d. The foreign student advisor recommended that she study more English before enrolling at

 the university.

e. The law requires that everyone have his car checked at least once a year.

f. She insisted that they give her a receipt.

“A SMOOTH SEA NEVER MAKES A GOOD SAILOR!”