War on Grammar
Battles
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Verbal phrases
Active and passive voice
Moods in verbs
Avoiding shifts
Comma, ellipses, dash
Evaluation
• After each battle will be a quiz
• After the unit is done, we will take a test after
the final battle
Verbal
• Verb that functions as another part of speech
in a sentence
• Gerunds, participles, infinitives
Gerund
• Verbals that function as nouns and have an –
ing ending
Participles
• Usually function as adjectives and occasionally
as adverbs
• -ed or –ing ending
Infinitives
• May function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs
• The word “to” followed by a verb
Active Voice
• In a sentence using active voice, the subject of
the sentence performs the action expressed in
the verb.
• Concise, direct
• Ex. Mark performed the musical piece at the
winter concert.
Passive Voice
• Action is being performed upon the subject
• Not typically used in academic settings
• Ex. The musical piece was performed by Mark
at the winter concert.
Active Vs. Passive
• Use an active voice in your writing whenever
possible
• Active voice shows action more clearly
• Recognizable formula
– Subject performs action
Active Vs. Passive
• Constant usage of the passive voice becomes
tiresome and can be confusing
Try It!
• Which of the following sentences utilizes an
active voice?
• Bobby tackles the quarterback.
• The quarterback was tackled by Bobby.
Correct This Sentence
• The marathon had been run by Jamie.
Moods in Verbs
• 5 types
• Each has a different function or purpose
• Indicative, imperative, interrogative,
conditional, and subjunctive
Indicative Mood
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Most common of all the moods
Fact or opinion
Ex. I am Mr. Kalbfell
Ex. You are students.
Ex. I think grammar is awesome.
Ex.
Imperative Mood
• Command or request
• Subject is not always directly stated, but is
taken to be “you”
• Ex. Pass the mashed potatoes.
• Ex. Turn on the football game.
• Ex. Get away from me, Uncle Ralph.
• Ex.
Interrogative Mood
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Think “interrogate”
Asks a question
Ex. Where is Dr. Evil’s secret volcano lair?
Ex. Will you leave me alone, Uncle Ralph?\
Ex.
Conditional Mood
• A conditional state that will cause something
to happen.
• “This will happen if this”
• Ex. If you cut the red wire, the building will
explode.
• Ex. If you eat too much turkey, you will fall
asleep.
• Ex.
Subjunctive Mood
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Can be confusing
Shows something that is not a fact
Often appears as a wish
Ex. If he were here right now, I’d give him a
piece of my mind.
• Ex. I wish a genie would appear.
• Ex.
Try It!
• Label each verb with their corresponding
mood
• Make me a sandwich.
• I like the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• I wish I had the talent to play the drums.
• If I work hard, I might be able to learn how to
play the drums.
• Will you teach me to play the drums?
Avoiding Shifts in Voice and Mood
• Remember to keep voice consistent
(active/passive)
• Also, keep mood consistent (indicative,
imperative, interrogative, conditional,
subjunctive)
Shifts in Voice
• Be consistent!
• Ex. The man rolled out of bed and his teeth
were brushed by him.
• Ex. The bird ate the seed and the tree was
flown into.
Shifts in Mood
• Be consistent!
• Ex. Take my phone and you can call your ride.
• Ex. You are the best player on the team, hit it
over the fence.
Comma, Ellipses, Dash
• Comma = “,”
• Ellipses = “…”
• Dash = “—”
Bringing in Allies!
• Fellow Fighter of Poor Grammar