solving verb problems in police reports
DESCRIPTION
Here are four rules for avoiding verb mistakes in your police reports. Clear, jargon-free explanations help you understand the rules - and examples are included for you.TRANSCRIPT
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Solving Verb Problems in Police Reports
by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.
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Verbs (“action words”) are important components of police reports.
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Every sentence in your reports must include at least one verb.
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We use verbs every time we talk or write.
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Most verbs are easy to use.
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But verb mistakes sometimes happen.
Let’s see how to avoid them.
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Rule #1: Use the correct form of the verb.
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“Seen” requires a helping verb (is, are, was, were, has, have).
The suspect was last seen running north on Main Street.Watson said she had seen him in her shop earlier that day.
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If you don’t use a helping verb, saw is the correct verb.
I saw the suspect running north on Main Street.Watson said she saw him in her shop earlier that day.
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The correct past tense for drag is dragged, not drug.
He drug Cole’s body to the back door.IncorrectHe dragged Cole’s body to the back door.Correct
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The correct past tense for pass is passed, not pasted.
He pasted me going 65 mph in a 40 mph zone.IncorrectHe passed me going 65 mph in a 40 mph zone.Correct
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Rule #2: Be careful with verb endings.
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Be sure to use verb endings whenever they’re needed. It’s easy to overlook “s” and “-ed” when you’re writing quickly.
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Writers sometimes forget the “s” in verbs like lists, asks, constructs, sweats.
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Read these sentences aloud, making sure to say the “s” and “-ed” endings. It’s easy to omit them!
Although he always sweats during our morning run, he isn’t really pushing himself.
If the town constructs a youth center, we’ll have a safe place for teens to gather.
The old handbook listed all the departments.
I asked if she had a permit for the weapon.
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Rule #3: Match each verb to the correct word.
(English teachers call this agreement.)
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Try this sentence:
The misuse of prescription drugs (is, are) a significant problem.
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What is the “significant problem”? Is it the prescription drugs...or the misuse of them?
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Answer: The misuse. So here’s how the sentence should read:
The misuse of prescription drugs is are a significant problem.
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Here it is again:
The misuse of prescription drugs is a significant problem.
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Let’s try another one.
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The policy about weekends and holidays (need, needs) to be updated.
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What needs updating: The policy, or the weekends and holidays?
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The policy. So here’s the correct sentence:
The policy about weekends and holidays needs need to be updated.
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Here it is again:
The policy about weekends and holidays needs to be updated.
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Let’s try a few more of these. (Look for the important word. Hint: It always comes first.)
The box of knives and razor blades (was, were) hidden under a blanket.
The family, including Jill and her three children, (live, lives) upstairs.
Workshops for the coming year (include, includes) communication, first aid, and leadership.
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Here are the answers. How did you do?
The box of knives and razor blades (was, were) hidden under a blanket.
The family, including Jill and her three children, (live, lives) upstairs.
Workshops for the coming year (include, includes) communication, first aid, and leadership.
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Here they are again:
The box of knives and razor blades was hidden under a blanket.
The family, including Jill and her three children, lives upstairs.
Workshops for the coming year include communication, first aid, and leadership.
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We have one more rule. It’s #4:
Be careful with sentences beginning with here and there.
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Try this sentence:
There’s the handcuffs we were looking for.
Is that correct?
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Here’s how you figure it out: Flip the sentence around.
The handcuffs we were looking for is there.
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Oops! You would say the handcuffs are there.
The handcuffs we were looking for are there.
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So here’s the correct sentence:
There are the handcuffs we were looking for.
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Let’s try another one:
There (was, were) four people in the car.
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First, flip it around: Four people were there in the car.
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Were is correct: There were four people in the car.
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Now you know how to avoid the most common verb problems.
Congratulations!
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You can learn more about verbs (and many other usage issues) at
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