GRAMMAR & USAGE

Lesson 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

When you use a singular subject, use the

singular form of the verb that goes with

it. To make the verb singular, you will

usually add an “s” to the end of it.

For example: Elizabeth plays the game well.

When you use two or more subjects, use

the plural form of the verb that goes with

them. To do that, you will usually omit an

“s” from the end of the verb.

For example: The girls play the game well.

Elizabeth and Amy play the game

well.

**Note: The word “you” is an exception to this

rule. Even though “you” is singular, use a

plural verb with it.

For example: You play the game well, too.

Some verbs, such as “am,” “has,” and

“was,” change form when they are plural.

For example: I am a good student.

They are good students.

He has good grades.

They have good grades.

She was the top student.

They were the top students.

Lesson 2: Verb Tense If you are writing about an event that is

happening now, use the present tense of the verb. For example: My little sister plays with her dolls.

If you are writing about an event that has already happened, use the past tense of the verb. To make most verbs past tense, add “ed” to the end of the verb. For example: My little sister played with her dolls

yesterday. When using some verbs in the past tense,

double the last letter before adding “ed.” For example: Now they stop by only once a week,

but last month they stopped by everyday.

Note that some verbs are irregular and change form completely to make the past tense. For example: Today I can take just a hat,

but yesterday I took an umbrella.

I think I need only a hat today, but yesterday I thought I needed an umbrella.

Lesson 3: Comparative Forms of Adjectives

To compare two people, places, or things, add the letters “er” to the end of the adjective if the adjective has one or two syllables. For example: Jack can jump higher than Jill.

When you compare two people, places, or things, use the word “more” with the adjective if the adjective has three or more syllables. For example: Jill is more interested in sports

than Jack.

When you compare three or more people, places, or things, add the letters “est” to the end of the adjective if the adjective has one or two syllables. For example: That’s the smallest size they

have!

When you compare three or more people, places, or things, use the word “most” with the adjective if the adjective has three or more syllables. For example: That coat is the most expensive

coat in the store.