Solving Verb Problems in Police Reports

by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

Verbs (“action words”) are important components of police reports.

Every sentence in your reports must include at least one verb.

We use verbs every time we talk or write.

Most verbs are easy to use.

But verb mistakes sometimes happen.

Let’s see how to avoid them.

Rule #1: Use the correct form of the verb.

“Seen” requires a helping verb (is, are, was, were, has, have).

The suspect was last seen running north on Main Street.Watson said she had seen him in her shop earlier that day.

If you don’t use a helping verb, saw is the correct verb.

I saw the suspect running north on Main Street.Watson said she saw him in her shop earlier that day.

The correct past tense for drag is dragged, not drug.

He drug Cole’s body to the back door.IncorrectHe dragged Cole’s body to the back door.Correct

The correct past tense for pass is passed, not pasted.

He pasted me going 65 mph in a 40 mph zone.IncorrectHe passed me going 65 mph in a 40 mph zone.Correct

Rule #2: Be careful with verb endings.

Be sure to use verb endings whenever they’re needed. It’s easy to overlook “s” and “-ed” when you’re writing quickly.

Writers sometimes forget the “s” in verbs like lists, asks, constructs, sweats.

Read these sentences aloud, making sure to say the “s” and “-ed” endings. It’s easy to omit them!

Although he always sweats during our morning run, he isn’t really pushing himself.

If the town constructs a youth center, we’ll have a safe place for teens to gather.

The old handbook listed all the departments.

I asked if she had a permit for the weapon.

Rule #3: Match each verb to the correct word.

(English teachers call this agreement.)

Try this sentence:

The misuse of prescription drugs (is, are) a significant problem.

What is the “significant problem”? Is it the prescription drugs...or the misuse of them?

Answer: The misuse. So here’s how the sentence should read:

The misuse of prescription drugs is are a significant problem.

Here it is again:

The misuse of prescription drugs is a significant problem.

Let’s try another one.

The policy about weekends and holidays (need, needs) to be updated.

What needs updating: The policy, or the weekends and holidays?

The policy. So here’s the correct sentence:

The policy about weekends and holidays needs need to be updated.

Here it is again:

The policy about weekends and holidays needs to be updated.

Let’s try a few more of these. (Look for the important word. Hint: It always comes first.)

The box of knives and razor blades (was, were) hidden under a blanket.

The family, including Jill and her three children, (live, lives) upstairs.

Workshops for the coming year (include, includes) communication, first aid, and leadership.

Here are the answers. How did you do?

The box of knives and razor blades (was, were) hidden under a blanket.

The family, including Jill and her three children, (live, lives) upstairs.

Workshops for the coming year (include, includes) communication, first aid, and leadership.

Here they are again:

The box of knives and razor blades was hidden under a blanket.

The family, including Jill and her three children, lives upstairs.

Workshops for the coming year include communication, first aid, and leadership.

We have one more rule. It’s #4:

Be careful with sentences beginning with here and there.

Try this sentence:

There’s the handcuffs we were looking for.

Is that correct?

Here’s how you figure it out: Flip the sentence around.

The handcuffs we were looking for is there.

Oops! You would say the handcuffs are there.

The handcuffs we were looking for are there.

So here’s the correct sentence:

There are the handcuffs we were looking for.

Let’s try another one:

There (was, were) four people in the car.

First, flip it around: Four people were there in the car.

Were is correct: There were four people in the car.

Now you know how to avoid the most common verb problems.

Congratulations!

You can learn more about verbs (and many other usage issues) at

www.YourPoliceWrite.com.

Everything there is free, and no registration is needed:

www.YourPoliceWrite.com.

And if you’re looking for a low-cost, practical book that covers sentence patterns, English usage, and police reports…

Criminal Justice Report Writing is available from www.Amazon.com for just $17.95.

View a free sample online.

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A free Instructor’s Manual is available on request: Send an e-mail to jreynoldswrite at aol.com.