Verbs Tenses and Moods 

15.2 Identify intervening relative clauses.

As you learned in the Syntax and Word Choice lesson, relative clauses are adjectives, so they must go right next to the noun they modify. Remember that a clause has a subject and a verb that agrees with the subject. If the relative clause modifies a singular noun, then the verb of the relative clause must be singular. If the relative clause modifies a plural noun, then the verb of the relative clause must be plural.

Table 15.2. Subject-verb agreement with relative clauses

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
One of the realtors who works in Fernando’s brokerage is Matias.	Matias is one of the realtors who work in Fernando’s brokerage.	The relative adjective clause modifies realtors, a plural noun, so the relative clause must use a plural verb.
One of the students who is studying for the exam is working on her dissertation.	One of the students who are studying for the exam is working on her dissertation.	The relative adjective clause modifies students, a plural noun, so the relative clause must use a plural verb.
One of the houses that was damaged in the storm is being repaired by a humanitarian group.	One of the houses that were damaged in the storm is being repaired by a humanitarian group.	The relative adjective clause modifies houses, a plural noun, so the relative clause must use a plural verb.

15.3 Identify other intervening elements.

Intervening phrases like as well as, along with, and together with do not create compound or plural subjects, so they take singular, not plural, verbs. These phrases are connectors that add extra information, but they do not create a plural subject. The word and creates a compound plural subject.

Table 15.3. Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
The coach, in addition to her players, are flying to the overseas tournament.	The coach, in addition to her players, is flying to the tournament.	The subject, coach, is singular, so the verb must be singular. The phrase in addition to does not create a plural subject.
Maria, together with her friends, are planning a surprise party.	Maria, together with her friends, is planning a surprise party.	The subject, Maria, is singular, so the verb must be singular. The phrase together with does not create a plural subject.
The priceless book, as well as other valuable documents, were lost in the fire.	The priceless book, as well as other valuable documents, was lost in the fire.	The subject, book, is singular, so the verb must be singular. The phrase as well as does not create a plural subject.

16. Match indefinite pronouns and verbs

The Syntax and Word Choice section discusses indefinite pronouns in their function as pronoun antecedents. A similar issue arises when choosing whether to use a singular or plural verb with indefinite pronouns.

Table 16.1 Indefinite pronouns that always take a singular verb

Anyone	*Either	Everything	Nothing
Anybody	Every	Many a	Someone
Anything	Everyone	*Neither	Somebody
Each	Everybody	Nobody	Something

*If either appears with or, and if neither appears with nor, make the verb agree with the noun closer to the verb.

Table 16.2 below shows a few examples. When both nouns are singular or plural, the agreement is simple. However, if one noun is singular and one is plural, place the plural noun second and make the verb plural. Although grammatically correct, the sentence sounds awkward if the singular noun comes second.

Table 16.2 With indefinite pronoun pairs, make the verb agree with the closer noun

Incorrect	Correct
Neither the competitors nor the timekeeper know who crossed the finish line first.	Neither the timekeeper nor the competitors know who crossed the finish line first.
Either the designers or the project manager update the change log.	Either the manager or the designers update the change log.
Either the entrepreneur or her CFO are exaggerating.	Either the entrepreneur or her CFO is exaggerating.
Not only the invoices but also the bill of shipping is inaccurate.	Not only the bill of shipping but also the invoices are inaccurate.

Table 16.3 Indefinite pronouns that always take a plural verb

Both

Few

Several

Many

Table 16.4 Indefinite pronouns that take singular or plural verbs

All	Most	Any	None	More	Some
All the divisions are presenting their reports tomorrow.			The verb is plural because divisions are countable.
Most of the work is finished.			The verb is singular because work is not countable.
Any of the club presidents are welcome to attend.			The verb is plural because presidents are countable.
None of the coupons were redeemed.			The verb is plural because coupons are countable.
More of the credit belongs to Sally.			The verb is singular because credit is not countable.
Some of the files are on Lou’s desk.			The verb is plural because files are countable.

Here’s a handy tip: If the quantity is countable, then the indefinite pronoun takes a plural verb; if the quantity is not countable, use the singular verb.

17. Use the right verb tense

Verb tenses indicate the time of an action or event—present, past, or future. When did the action happen? When will it happen? Is it still happening? Did it happen before something else also happened? Using the correct verb tense clarifies the timeframe of the action.

17.1 Understand verb tenses.

Verb tense refers to the form of the verb that indicates the time of an action or event. It conveys whether the action is in the present, past, or future. The main verb tenses are present, past, and future. Present, past, and future all have conjugations that indicate specific temporal information that accurately expresses the timing of actions or events.

17.2 Reduce double auxiliary verbs.

Writers occasionally reference an event that could have happened in the past but didn't, so they use the phrase would have followed by another verb. Consider this example:

"I would have liked to have seen the movie."

However, that sentence uses double auxiliary verbs—have liked and have seen.

The second have is unnecessary. Changing it to the infinitive—the base verb plus to—more clearly and concisely conveys the same meaning:

I would have liked to see the movie..

Applying this rule simplifies construction.

Table 17.2. Reduce double auxiliary verbs

Sentence	Reduced Sentence
I would have loved to have gone to the concert.	I would have loved to go to the concert.
Claire would have chosen to have played soccer.	Claire would have chosen to play soccer.
Frank and his roommates would have liked to have seen the movie.	Frank and his roommates would have liked to see the movie.
Jacob would have preferred to have stayed at home.	Jacob would have preferred to stay at home.
The case team would have chosen to have studied harder.	The case team would have chosen to study harder.

17.3 Use the present tense to express a permanent truth or condition.

Suppose someone says to you,

"What did you say your name was?"

Though the person might have been introduced to you last week, if your actual name is the same today as it was last week, the question should be phrased,

“What did you say your name is?” or “What is your name?”

Table 17.3 Use present tense to express a permanent truth or condition

Incorrect Example	Corrected Example
What was your name?	What is your name?
She said her name was Maria.	She said her name is Maria.
The book said that cats are independent.	The book says that cats are independent.
What he told me yesterday was that he was happy to present at our upcoming conference.	What he told me yesterday is that he is happy to present at our upcoming conference.
Dr. Ferry was my favorite professor of all time.	Dr. Ferry is my favorite professor of all time.
Reactions to the merger appeared on page 14A of last Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal.	Reactions to the merger appear on page 14A of last Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal.

18. Use the correct mood

A sentence’s verb can express a variety of moods, which indicate whether the writer is stating a fact, issuing a direct command, expressing a condition, implying uncertainty or doubt, or giving a subtle command. The most common English verb moods are indicative, imperative, subjunctive, and conditional.

18.1 The English language uses four moods.

Table 18.1.1 below illustrates the four moods in the English language: indicative, imperative, subjunctive, and conditional.

Table 18.1.1 English language moods

Mood	Definition	Example
Indicative	States facts, makes statements, asks questions, expresses certainty or reality	She sings beautifully.
Imperative	Gives commands, makes requests, offers instructions	Close the door.
Subjunctive	Expresses hypothetical or unreal situations, wishes, recommendations, doubts, or possibilities	I suggest that she retake the GMAT.
Conditional	Expresses actions or situations dependent on a condition or hypothetical circumstance.	I would buy a car if I could earn a little more money.

Even if they know the definitions, writers can easily confuse the conditional and subjunctive moods.

.................

Conditional Mood

The conditional mood is typically used to express hypothetical or conditional situations that depend on a certain condition being met. It expresses possibilities, preferences, or outcomes based on a specific condition or specific events.

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood expresses wishes, doubts, recommendations, or unreal or hypothetical situations that may not be based on a specific condition. Use subjunctive when you discuss something that may not be true or certain.

Table 18.1.2 Conditional vs. subjunctive mood

Conditional Mood	Subjunctive Mood	Differences
Candace would like to read more books, but she does not currently have time.	If Candace had more time, she would read more books.	Conditional expresses a hypothetical condition. Subjunctive expresses a doubt or uncertainty
If Taylen wins the lottery, she could buy a new house.	If Taylen were to win the lottery, she would buy a house.	Conditional expresses a possible, hypothetical condition. Subjunctive expresses the doubtfulness of the situation.
If Adeline would study harder, she could pass the exam.	Dr. Friendly suggested that Adeline study harder to pass the exam.	Conditional implies a possible condition and its outcome. Subjunctive issues a subtle command with the word that.

18.2 Sometimes use plural past tense to form the subjunctive.

In some cases, the subjunctive mood uses the plural past tense of the verb instead of the normal conjugation used in the indicative mood. Why?

The subjunctive mood sometimes uses the plural, past-tense form, like were, instead of the singular, past-tense form was, even when the writer is referencing herself or other singular subjects. This construction might seem odd, but it's an English language convention.

The reason for using the plural, past-tense form is historical. English used to have a clearer distinction between different moods, including the subjunctive. The plural, past-tense form was used in subjunctive constructions; over time, this convention stuck.

Today, using the plural past tense in the subjunctive doesn't necessarily mean more than one subject is involved. It's just a way to signal that we're discussing something hypothetical, unreal, or uncertain. It helps writers express ideas like wishes, possibilities, recommendations, or desires that may not be true or certain.

In simple terms, using the plural, past-tense form in the subjunctive is a grammar rule that shows events that might not actually exist or happen, expressing certain thoughts and possibilities.

Table 18.2 Constructing the subjunctive mood

Incorrect Example	Correct Example	Explanation
If I was president, I would make changes.	If I were president, I would make changes.	This expresses a hypothetical or unreal condition.
Dr. Packer prescribed that Shari takes medication.	Dr. Packer prescribed that Shari take medication.	This sentence expresses a recommendation or requirement.
Alexis suggests that Taylor studies harder.	Alexis suggests that Taylor study harder.	This sentence offers advice or a recommendation.
If I was to speak multiple languages, I could be an interpreter.	If I were to speak multiple languages, I could be an interpreter.	This expresses a desire or an unrealizable wish.

18.3 Use the polite conditional.

Writers sometimes use the polite conditional when they could use the indicative or imperative instead.

When choosing between the polite conditional and the imperative, consider the level of formality, the power dynamics, and the desired tone of the communication, and be aware of the social and cultural norms that may influence the choice of language in a given context.

Table 18.3 Using the polite conditional

Polite Conditional	Ask	Use Indicative or Imperative
I would be delighted to prepare the broccoli.	Under what conditions would you be delighted?	I am delighted to prepare the broccoli.
We would like to welcome you to the 2023 Broccoli Fest.	Under what conditions would you like to welcome me?	Welcome to the 2022 Broccoli Fest!