Language and Grammar: Elaborate

Pair Talk Say one fact about how people use rivers. Your partner then gives more information about that fact. Then you tell something more. Keep going until you cannot elaborate anymore. Use precise action verbs as you elaborate. Then switch roles to tell a new fact.

Farmers use river water.

They irrigate the farm with the water.

Writing and Grammar: Write About a Day at a River

Study the Models When you write about things that happen, you use action verbs. Precise and interesting action verbs help bring your writing to life. They help readers get a clear picture of actions and events. Each verb must agree with the subject of the sentence.

Not Ok

Mr. Roja has a barge business on the Mississippi River. His barge carry passengers on trips down the river. The big barge moves down the Mississippi like a long, low box. It passes under bridges. It travel past towns. Passengers walk around the decks.

Some of the writer’s action verbs are not precise. Other action verbs don’t agree with their subjects.

Ok

Mr. Roja has a barge business on the Mississippi River. His barge carries passengers on trips down the river. The big barge floats down the Mississippi like a long, low box. It drifts under bridges. It travels past towns. Passengers stroll around the decks.

The writer uses precise action verbs. All the verbs agree with their subjects.

Add Sentences Think of two sentences to add to the OK model above. Tell what one passenger does. Use precise action verbs. Be sure the verbs agree with their subjects.

Illustration of a pen icon WRITE ON YOUR OWN Imagine people spending the day at a river. Tell what happens. Be sure to use precise, interesting action verbs. Make sure each verb agrees with the subject of the sentence.

    Remember

  • • Add -s to the end of an action verb that tells what one other person or thing does.

    The barge floats.

  • • Do not add -s to an action verb when the subject names more than one.

    The barges float.