iliaries=

=55a. In dependent clauses and infinitives, the tense is to be considered
in relation to the time expressed in the principal verb.=

Wrong: I intended to have gone. [The principal verb _intended_
indicates a past time. In that past time I intended to do
something. What? Did I intend _to go_, or _to have gone_?]

Right: I intended to go.

Wrong: We hoped that you would have come to the party. [The
principal verb _hoped_ indicates a past time. In that past time
our hope was that you _would_ come, not that you _would have
come_.]

Right: We hoped that you would come.

=b. When narration in the past tense is interrupted for reference to a
preceding occurrence, the past perfect tense is used.=

Wrong: In the parlor my cousin kept a collection of animals
which he shot.

Right: In the parlor my cousin kept a collection of animals
which he had shot.

=c. General statements equally true in the past and in the present are
usually expressed in the present tense.=

Faulty: He said that Venus was a planet.

Right: He said that Venus is a planet.

=d. The subjunctive mode of the verb _to be_ is used to express a
condition contrary to fact, or a wish.=

Faulty: If he was here, I should be happy.

Right: If he were here, I should be happy.

Faulty: I wish that I was a man.

Right: I wish that I were a man.

=e. Use the correct auxiliary. Make sure that the tense, mode, or aspect
of successive verbs is not altered without reason.=

Wrong: By giving strict obedience to commands, a soldier
_learns_ discipline, and consequently _would have_ steady
nerves in time of war. [_Learns_ should be followed by _will
have_.]

Wrong: An automobile _should be_ kept in good working order so
that its life _is_ lengthened. [_Should be_ is properly
followed by _may be_.]

Exercise:

1. Every one hoped that you would have spoken.

2. I saw it in the window. It was the very book I wanted so
long.

3. If I was sick, I should go home.

4. They expected to have won the game.

5. The Masons never invite men to join their lodge, but if a
person expresses a desire to join, his friends would probably
be able to secure membership for him.

=Adjective and Adverb=

=56a. Do not use an adjective to modify a verb.=

Crude: He spoke slow and