Question

On Saturday, David had to work on a project, write an e-mail to his mother, and (play, to play) in a softball game.

Short answer

The correct form is 'play'

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the sentence structure

In English, when we list different activities or actions, we usually use the base form of the verb without 'to'. In this sentence, David had several activities planned: 'work on a project', 'write an e-mail to his mother', and the third aspect that we need to figure out.

Applying the rule

Applying the rule mentioned above to our third activity, we need to use the base form of the verb without 'to'. Therefore, 'play' would be the correct form.

Key concepts

Understanding Sentence Structure

In English grammar, sentence structure plays a crucial role in how we convey our thoughts. A sentence usually contains a subject and a predicate, and it's important to structure it so that it makes sense to the reader.

Let's look at the example: "On Saturday, David had to work on a project, write an e-mail to his mother, and play in a softball game." This sentence lists the activities David had planned for Saturday, and it must follow a logical sequence.

When listing activities, the structure often involves using a base form of the verb for each action. This format helps keep the sentence clear and fluent. This way of structuring sentences allows the reader to easily follow the sequence of events and understand what actions are being described.

The Role of Verb Usage

Verbs are action words and provide information on what the subject of the sentence is doing. In listings, like in the exercise, verbs take on a specific form.

Consider the activities David had lined up: "work on a project," "write an e-mail," and "play in a softball game." Here, 'work', 'write', and 'play' are all in their base forms. It's crucial because these verbs follow a modal or auxiliary verb such as 'had to' and indicate actions that David needs to perform.

Using the base form without 'to' after 'to have' or 'to need' is standard in lists. This usage not only keeps the consistency within the sentence but also streamlines the information for clearer understanding.

Being consistent with verb forms makes your writing stronger and helps your audience grasp your message.

Exploring Coordinate Conjunctions

Coordinate conjunctions are words that connect elements of equal importance in a sentence. Common conjunctions include 'and', 'or', 'but', and 'so'. In our given exercise, 'and' connects the three activities David undertakes.

The purpose of coordinate conjunctions is to join ideas and clarify relationships between them, ensuring that the sentence remains coherent. In using 'and', we signal to the reader that each action is part of a list of tasks: "work on a project," "write an e-mail to his mother," and "play in a softball game."

Utilizing conjunctions correctly in sentence structures helps avoid fragmented thoughts, making the text more readable and logical. When crafting sentences, a good rule of thumb is to use conjunctions to smooth out transitions and show the connections between clauses effectively.