Business Writing Tips from The Writing Center
Business Grammar - Verb Tenses (3)
February 8, 2007
Here is our third of five rules on using verb tenses:
3. Use
verb forms correctly.
When you use helping verbs (has,
have, had,
etc.), make sure you use the correct form of the main verb.
- Regular verbs add -d or -ed
to the present form.
Examples:
He has cleaned
the copier. (present form = clean)
They have called every day. (present
form = call)
She had asked that the power be turned off before dawn. (present
form = ask)
They had answered each of our letters as directed. (present
form = answer)
- Irregular verbs do not add -d
or -ed but change form in other
ways:
by a vowel change:
begin,
began,
(have)
begun
Example: Beta
testing has begun.
by a consonant change:
make,
made,
(have)
made
Example: She has
made Customer Relations her priority.
by a vowel and consonant change:
do,
did,
(have)
done
Example: They have
done more than expected to ensure a successful transition.
by no change:
put,
put,
(have)
put
Example: We have
put that project on the back burner.
To comment on this topic, visit our
Business Writing Tips Forum.
This edition was adapted from our
Business Grammar Program.
Previous editions
may be read at
http://www.uliveandlearn.com/newsletters/index.cfm.
To receive this free weekly newsletter via e-mail, go to
http://www.uliveandlearn.com/userjoin.cfm and select the newsletter option.
Return now to the Business
Communications Library
|
