Verbal Shifts Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.8.1.D

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

There are many instances where a sentence will have two or more verbs. It is imperative that the verbs stay in the same voice and do not undergo a shift. This can confuse the reader as to the intent of the author. If you compose your sentence with an active voice, it will naturally flow better when accommodate this. When in doubt, go with an active voice. The passive voice is much better used when there are several unknowns in the sentence. These worksheets will have students rewrite and compose sentences that strive to maintain a consistent voice throughout the complete length of the sentence.

Verbal Shifts Worksheets To Print:

Verb Errors - You are going to need to tinker with these sentences a bit. Check for verb consistency in the following sentences. Change the second verb in each sentence to match the underlined verb.

Using Verbs Correctly - Some of the verbs have been deliberately omitted put them where they belong.

Avoiding Gear Changes - You will find a bunch of errors in this one. Rewrite the entire paragraph fixing all the mistakes along the way.

Recognizing and Correcting Verbal Shifts - A magnifying glass would come in handy here. Check for consistencies in voice and mood in the following sentences. If there is more than one verb in the sentence, consider the first verb to be correct.

Stay Away! - The paragraph about Sam has some really big hiccups. Fix it by writing the entire paragraph over.

Practice: Actions and Rises - Each of the sentence below contains an error in voice or mood. Identify the error.

Busy Mom - The paragraph about a mom that works in excess of 50 hours a week has many verb-related mistakes.

Correcting Changes - Choose the option that correctly fixes the verb error in each sentence. I would also recommend that you circle the word or phrase you are replacing in each sentence.

Correcting Errors - Check for verb consistency in the following sentences. The underline area should give you hint as to what is missing.

Clean It Up and Up - Determine the main tense and write it on the line given. Then reread the passage and find the six verbs that shift incorrectly from the main tense. Circle these verbs.

Pace Changes - Choose the verb that will correct the inappropriate shift in each of the following sentences.

Multiple Shifts In Sides - Choose the option that correctly fixes the verb error for each sentence below.

Recognizing Verb Errors - Change the second verb in each sentence to match the underlined verb.

Correcting Shifts in Voice - Rewrite the sentence on the line below it so that it no longer contains an inappropriate shift in voice.

Turning Moods - Write the form of the verb that will correct the error on the line. Write the form of the verb that will correct the error on the line.

What Are Verbal Shifts in Voice and Mood


Verbs are used in sentences to represent voice and mood. There are two types of voices verb use represents - active and passive voice. Similarly, the moods represented by verbs in sentences are roughly divided into four main types - imperative mood, Indicative mood, subjunctive mood, and infinitive mood. Usually, verbs in sentences indicate a single voice or single mood.


However, sometimes writers mistakenly shift from one mood to another and from one voice to another in the related sentences with the same verb. This confuses the readers and makes it difficult to understand the clear meaning of whatever is being said. Here is a description of a verbal shift in voice and mood:


Verbal Shifts in Voice


The verb of a sentence is called an active verb whenever the subject of that verb is directly acting. On the other hand, the verb in a statement is called a passive verb whenever the subject of that verb is undergoing an action rather than doing it. Based on this usage of verbs and their subjects in different ways, the sentences are either called active sentences or passive sentences. Most times, active voice is preferred while writing and speaking anything. Whenever a sentence states one clause in active voice and abruptly changes into passive voice in the other clause or vice versa, this event of shift is called verbal shift in voice.


Verbal Shifts in Mood


Verbs can show a writer's mood towards the idea being discussed in the sentence. Writers can use different words to indicate different moods like ordering, requesting, suggesting, asking, or expressing hope for something. Usually, a verb indicates a single mood throughout the statement. However, sometimes abrupt changes do occur in a statement and two moods are indicated through the same verb. This phenomenon is known as verbal shift in mood and is discouraged in formal writing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Avoiding Gear Changes Preview