Sentence Structure
Passive Voice. Fine Lines recommends that writers use active rather than passive voice for concise, direct sentences. Active voice has the subject performing the action of the verb; whereas, in passive voice, the object precedes the verb.
Active Voice: John threw the ball.
Passive Voice: The ball was thrown by John.
This does not mean, however, that writers should completely discard the passive voice.
Subject-Verb Agreement. Write so that subjects and verbs agree:
Incorrect: The boys throws the ball.
Correct: The boys throw the ball.
A verb should always agree with the number of its subject. When words and phrases come between the subject and the verb, the verb should not be affected.
Example: Each of the boys dressed in his own unique way.
Furthermore, the words each, either, everyone, everybody, neither, nobody, and someone all use a singular verb form.
When connecting nouns to a singular subject with except, together with, as well as, with, no less than, and in addition to, use a singular verb.
Example: Her typing as well as her attitude was impeccable.
Pronoun Shifts. Use consistent pronouns (I, she/he, one, and so on) throughout sentences and paragraphs.
Incorrect: When Kim eats at a fast food restaurant, one should not expect prime rib.
Correct: When Kim eats at a fast food restaurant, she should not expect prime rib.