• Unit 3: Making It Clear

    Unit 3 looks at the proper use of specific grammar elements: verbs, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Once we know the correct use of these words, we can edit a variety of texts. The last section of this unit reviews editing strategies to put this knowledge into practice. This unit presents definitions and examples of grammar structures that assist clarity and improve description. Appropriately applying these structures improves the accuracy of a text and the reader's ability to comprehend its meaning.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.


    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • determine correct verb use;
      • identify correct subject-verb and number agreement;
      • recognize appropriate pronoun use, case, and shift in a piece of writing;
      • determine correct use of descriptive and clarifying writing conventions; and
      • assess writing and correct grammatical errors.

    • 3.1: How to Use Verbs

      • Subject-Verb Agreement Page

        When writing a sentence, we want to take care to use the same plural or singular tense and not confuse our readers. This is called "subject-verb agreement". Take this two sentences, for example, the first one uses correct subject-verb agreement, while the second sentence makes an error in number agreement. Can you see the difference?

        1. The pants are too small for my brother.
        2. The pants is to small for my brother. The noun "pants" is plural, so the verb needs to be plural, too. "Are" is plural, but "is" is singular, so "pants are" is the correct use of the noun and verb together. Read this resources for more information on subject-verb agreement.

      • Verb Tense Shift Page

        Just as verbs need to agree with the sentence's subject, they must also agree with each other. If a sentence talks about the past, all the verbs need to remain in the past tense. Similarly, if the sentence is about the present, all the verbs need to stay in the present tense. When you have two sentences giving information about the same event, keep your verbs from both sentences in the same tense to avoid confusing the reader. Read this page on verb-tense agreement.

      • Unnecessary Tense Shifts Page

        Read this brief explanation of unecessary tense shifts and how to spot them when reading or writing.

    • 3.2: What Do I Do with Pronouns?

      • Using Pronouns Correctly Page

        A common error in English grammar is shifting pronouns. Like verbs, pronouns need to agree in number, but they also need to agree with the noun they're replacing (the antecedent). This can be tricky if a sentence has multiple nouns that the pronoun could refer to. Keeping this straight is important for a sentence's clarity. Review this resource, and complete the exercise, to see how pronouns agree with their antecedents.

    • 3.3: Looking for Descriptions

      • Adjectives and Adverbs Book

        English language users love to add layers of descriptions. Think about the last time you ate something truly delicious. How many words could you use to describe it that don't use the name of the food at all? You can start simply, with sweet, salty, hot, or cold. But that's not enough, is it? How about delectable, tender, wholesome, flavorful, or pungent? What about describing how you ate it? We could use heartily, greedily, or carefully. We could also mention how it was prepared: freshly, skillfully, or healthily. We could go on and on. Using adjectives and adverbs adds information and interest to a text. Using these words correctly is important for a message to be easy for a reader to understand and visualize. Read these sections on using descriptive words correctly.

    • 3.4: Building Editing Strategies

      • Editing Grammatical Errors Page
        Now that we understand a variety of grammatical structures, let's practice how to identify and correct errors. By revising a text to make its language use more accurate, we improve its clarity and efficacy. Read this resource and complete the exercises to practice recognizing and editing grammatical errors.

    • Unit 3 Knowledge Check

      • Unit 3 Knowledge Check Page

        Unit 3 reviewed the best ways to use descriptive words and pronouns. We also had an opportunity to practice editing strategies to help find and correct errors in language use. Now, you'll read a short passage and then find and correct its grammar errors.

    • Unit 3 Assessment

      • Unit 3 Assessment Quiz
        Receive a grade

        Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

        • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
        • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
        • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.