8.1 Subject-Verb Agreement & Verb Tense Consistency

8.1 Subject-Verb Agreement & Verb Tense Consistency

Quick Summary: In border law enforcement, written communication is not merely an administrative task; it is legal evidence. Incident reports, secondary referral notes, seizure logs, and traveler declarations submitted by Border Services Officers (BSOs) are scrutinized in provincial courts, federal administrative tribunals, and Crown prosecution disclosures. A single subject-verb disagreement or an erratic verb tense shift can introduce factual ambiguity, erode officer credibility on the witness stand, or compromise a prosecution under the Customs Act or Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The Officer Trainee Entrance Examination (OTEE) tests your command of foundational grammatical architecture, focusing on complex agreement patterns and strict chronological tense consistency.

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The Operational Stakes of Grammatical Precision in Border Enforcement

When a Border Services Officer authors an enforcement narrative, the document serves multiple formal functions across the Canadian justice system:

• Evidentiary Foundations: Crown prosecutors rely on officer notes to establish reasonable grounds for detention, search, and seizure under Section 99 of the Customs Act and Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
• Court Scrutiny: Defense counsel in cross-examination actively looks for syntactic contradictions, temporal ambiguities, or grammatical confusions to challenge whether an officer accurately recalled the sequence of events.
• Inter-Agency Intelligence: CBSA intelligence units, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and international partners (such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection) depend on precise, factual incident summaries to connect transnational smuggling networks.

A grammatically flawed sentence such as "The driver, accompanied by two passengers, were nervous and denies having foreign currency" contains two severe errors: an agreement failure (driver... were) and an unwarranted tense shift (were... denies). In court, this sloppy phrasing invites questions: Was the driver nervous, or were the passengers nervous? Did the denial occur in the past during the interview, or is the officer describing a present belief? On the OTEE, mastering subject-verb agreement and tense consistency ensures you can instantly identify and correct these structural flaws.

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Fundamental Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement

The golden rule of English grammar is straightforward: a verb must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).

• A singular subject takes a singular verb: The officer examines the conveyance.
• A plural subject takes a plural verb: The officers examine the conveyance.

While this rule appears elementary in simple declarative sentences, the OTEE rarely presents straightforward structures. Instead, exam items deliberately embed structural obstacles between the subject and the verb to test your syntactic awareness.

The Intervening Phrase Trap: Prepositional and Parenthetical Separators

The most frequent trap on the OTEE involves inserting words, phrases, or clauses between the true subject and its verb. Test-takers often fall for the error of proximity, mistakenly matching the verb to the nearest preceding noun rather than the actual grammatical subject.

The Anatomy of an Intervening Phrase Trap:
[True Subject (Singular)] + [Intervening Prepositional / Parenthetical Phrase (Plural Noun)] + [VERB MUST BE SINGULAR!]
Example: "The manifest of the shipping containers [was / were] verified."
          ^^^^^^^^     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^
          Subject      Intervening Phrase      Correct Verb: WAS (matches 'manifest', not 'containers')

1. Prepositional Phrases

A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition (of, in, at, with, under, between, among, on, for, by) and ends with an object (a noun or pronoun). The grammatical subject of a sentence can NEVER reside inside a prepositional phrase.

• Incorrect: The shipment of undeclared commercial pharmaceuticals were seized at Terminal 3.
• Correct: The shipment [of undeclared commercial pharmaceuticals] was seized at Terminal 3.
• Incorrect: The serial number on the two foreign passports were altered.
• Correct: The serial number [on the two foreign passports] was altered.

2. Parenthetical and Additive Expressions

Phrases introduced by expressions such as as well as, along with, together with, in addition to, accompanied by, including, and except are parenthetical. They provide supplementary information but do not compound the grammatical subject.

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Compound Subjects and Conjunction Rules

Compound subjects consist of two or more nouns or pronouns joined by coordinating or correlative conjunctions. The conjunction used determines whether the resulting subject is singular or plural.

1. Subjects Joined by "And"

When two or more distinct subjects are joined by the coordinating conjunction and, they form a compound plural subject and require a plural verb:

• Example: Officer Tremblay and her canine partner patrol the secondary arrivals hall.
• Example: The bill of lading and the commercial invoice were contradictory.

[!NOTE] The Singular Compound Exception: When two nouns joined by and represent a single recognized entity, tool, or person holding a dual role, the subject takes a singular verb.

• Example: Bacon and eggs is the standard mess-hall breakfast.
• Example: The lead investigator and primary search officer [referring to the same person] has signed the seizure documentation.

2. Subjects Joined by "Or" or "Nor" (The Proximity Rule)

When subjects are connected by correlative conjunctions—either... or, neither... nor, or simple or / nor—the verb agrees in number and person with the closer subject (the subject immediately preceding the verb). This is formally termed the Rule of Proximity.

The Proximity Rule Framework:
[Subject 1] + OR/NOR + [Subject 2 (Nearest to Verb)] + [VERB AGREES WITH SUBJECT 2]
- Neither the driver nor the PASSENGERS [were] aware of the false compartment. (passengers = plural -> were)
- Neither the passengers nor the DRIVER [was] aware of the false compartment. (driver = singular -> was)

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Indefinite Pronouns: The Singular, Plural, and SANAM Classifications

Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific persons, places, or things. On the OTEE, indefinite pronouns represent one of the highest-frequency testing categories because everyday spoken English frequently violates formal prescriptive rules.

Indefinite Pronoun Categorization:
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ALWAYS SINGULAR (Singular Verb Required)                                |
| - Each, Every, Either, Neither, One                                     |
| - Pronouns ending in -one: Everyone, Someone, Anyone, No one            |
| - Pronouns ending in -body: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, Nobody        |
| - Pronouns ending in -thing: Everything, Something, Anything, Nothing   |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ALWAYS PLURAL (Plural Verb Required)                                    |
| - Both, Few, Many, Several, Others                                      |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| VARIABLE / SANAM PRONOUNS (Governed by Prepositional Object)            |
| - Some, Any, None, All, More / Most                                     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

1. The "Always Singular" Indefinite Pronouns

Words such as each, either, neither, and any compound ending in -one, -body, or -thing are grammatically singular, regardless of the plural phrases that may follow them:

• Incorrect: Each of the travelers were required to present a valid passport.
• Correct: Each [of the travelers] was required to present a valid passport.
• Incorrect: Neither of the commercial drivers have submitted a digital declaration.
• Correct: Neither [of the commercial drivers] has submitted a digital declaration.
• Incorrect: Everybody among the secondary inspection officers agree with the protocol.
• Correct: Everybody [among the secondary inspection officers] agrees with the protocol.

2. The Variable SANAM Rule

The acronym SANAM stands for Some, Any, None, All, More/Most. These five indefinite pronouns can be either singular or plural depending on the countability of the noun in the prepositional phrase that follows them:

1. Uncountable Noun (Mass / Quantity) -> Singular Verb:
   • Some of the contraband bulk cargo was damaged during transit.
   • All of the undeclared foreign currency was confiscated under the Customs Act.
   • None of the toxic liquid chemical has leaked into the inspection bay.
2. Countable Plural Noun (Discrete Items) -> Plural Verb:
   • Some of the imported firearms were missing serial numbers.
   • All of the shipping containers were routed through the high-energy gamma x-ray scanner.
   • None of the commercial drivers have presented valid commercial driver's licenses.

[!IMPORTANT] The Special Case of 'None': In traditional formal legal and civil service English, none strictly meant not one and took a singular verb. However, contemporary Public Service Commission and CBSA standards adhere to the SANAM rule: when none refers to a plural countable noun (e.g., none of the officers), a plural verb (were / have) is standard and acceptable. When none refers to a singular mass noun (e.g., none of the cash), it strictly takes a singular verb (was / has).

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Collective Nouns in Law Enforcement Contexts

Collective nouns denote a group of individuals or items acting as a unit. In CBSA operational writing, common collective nouns include team, agency, division, crew, committee, squad, canine unit, panel, and public.

Collective Noun Dual Nature:
+------------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| ACTING AS A SINGLE UNIFIED ENTITY  | ACTING AS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS       |
| (Takes Singular Verb)              | (Takes Plural Verb)                |
+------------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| The CBSA enforcement team IS       | The enforcement team ARE dividing  |
| executing a warrant at the port.   | into pairs to search the vessel.   |
| (Unified, singular unit action)    | (Individual members acting apart)  |
+------------------------------------+------------------------------------+

• Unified Action (Singular): When the group acts collectively in unison, use a singular verb.
  • Example: The specialized search team is rummaging the marine container.
  • Example: The parliamentary committee has approved the revised border security budget.
• Individual / Divergent Action (Plural): When the individual members within the group act separately, disagree, or execute divergent tasks, use a plural verb.
  • Example: The inspection crew are taking their respective meal breaks in staggered shifts.
  • Example: The disciplinary panel were divided in their recommendations.

Editorial Best Practice: In law enforcement reports, if treating a collective noun as plural sounds awkward, insert the word members to establish unambiguous plural agreement: The members of the inspection crew are taking their breaks.

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Inverted Sentence Structures & Expletive Constructions

In standard English word order, the subject precedes the verb (Subject + Verb + Object). However, in inverted sentences and expletive constructions, the verb precedes the subject. The verb must still agree with the deferred subject that follows it.

1. Expletive Constructions ("There is/are" and "Here is/are")

The words there and here are dummy pronouns (expletives) that can never serve as grammatical subjects. To determine whether to use a singular or plural verb, identify the true noun that follows the verb:

• Incorrect: There is three undeclared handguns concealed behind the glove compartment.
• Correct: There are [three undeclared handguns] concealed behind the glove compartment.
• Incorrect: Here is the altered bills of lading provided by the commercial carrier.
• Correct: Here are [the altered bills of lading] provided by the commercial carrier.
• Correct (Singular): There is [a discrepancy] between the verbal declaration and the manifest.

2. Prepositional Fronting in Scene Descriptions

Officers frequently open narrative sentences with locational or prepositional phrases to establish scene context. Candidates must look past the introductory prepositional phrase to locate the true deferred subject:

• Incorrect: Concealed inside the passenger door panels was four vacuum-sealed packages of narcotics.
• Correct: Concealed inside the passenger door panels were [four vacuum-sealed packages] of narcotics.
• Incorrect: Beneath the driver's seat was found several prohibited switchblade knives.
• Correct: Beneath the driver's seat were found [several prohibited switchblade knives].

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Verb Tense Consistency in Chronological Incident Narratives

In border enforcement reporting, the prime directive is chronological fidelity. Reports must reflect an unbroken, logically coherent timeline of events. An unwarranted shift in verb tense can distort the timeline, creating confusion about when a traveler made an admission, when a search was conducted, or when a Charter caution was administered.

Chronological Verb Tense Architecture in Law Enforcement Reports:
PAST PERFECT                 SIMPLE PAST                  PRESENT (Avoid in Narratives)
[had + past participle]       [standard -ed / irregular]   [base form / -s]
Events completed BEFORE       Primary baseline narrative   Ongoing general facts
another past baseline event   of officer actions           or permanent statutory rules
----------------------------> ---------------------------> -------------------------------->
"The canine HAD ALERTED       "The officer CONDUCTED      "The Customs Act AUTHORIZES
prior to arrival."            the physical rummage."       routine inspections."

The Baseline Rule: Simple Past Tense for Completed Actions

Because an incident report documents completed investigations and past observations, the simple past tense serves as the narrative anchor. All sequential actions executed by the officer, traveler, or colleagues should remain anchored in the simple past:

• Standard Chronological Sequence: Officer Gagnon approached the vehicle, requested the driver's travel documents, and verified the foreign visa stamps.

The "Tense Drift" Error

A common error on OTEE writing tests is unwarranted tense drift, where an author begins in the past tense and carelessly slips into the present tense during descriptive action:

• Flawed Drift: Officer Gagnon approached the driver, asked for his passport, and notices that the traveler's hands are shaking violently. He requests a secondary inspection slip.
• Corrected Consistency: Officer Gagnon approached the driver, asked for his passport, and noticed that the traveler's hands were shaking violently. He requested a secondary inspection slip.

Mastering the Past Perfect Tense (Had + Past Participle)

The past perfect tense (had + past participle) expresses an action that was completed prior to another past action or reference point.

In CBSA incident reporting, the past perfect is essential for establishing chronological priority:

• Scenario: A traveler arrives at secondary. Prior to arrival, targeting officers in Ottawa flagged the traveler's electronic file. The primary officer also noted suspicious itinerary changes.
• Correct Application: When Traveler Morales arrived (simple past baseline) at the secondary inspection counter, national targeting analysts had already flagged (past perfect - earlier event) his passport profile, and the primary inspection officer had recorded (past perfect - earlier event) verbal declaration inconsistencies.

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High-Frequency Exam Traps on the OTEE

When sitting the Writing Skills module of the OTEE, watch for these four classic exam traps:

1. The "One of the [Plural Noun] Who [Plural Verb]" Structure

Consider this sentence: Inspector Dubois is one of the officers who [has / have] received specialized counter-proliferation training.

• The relative clause who [has/have] modifies the plural noun officers, not the singular noun Inspector Dubois.
• Therefore, the plural verb have is grammatically correct: Inspector Dubois is one of the [officers who have received...].
• Contrast: When preceded by the only one, the relative clause modifies one and takes a singular verb: Inspector Dubois is the only one of the officers who has received specialized training.

2. The Inverted Subject Illusion with Quantities

• Trap: Ten thousand dollars in undeclared banknotes were found.
• Correction: When a plural noun of quantity, time, or currency represents a single aggregate total, it takes a singular verb: Ten thousand dollars in undeclared banknotes was seized. However, when individual bills are emphasized, use plural: Twenty crisp fifty-dollar bills were scattered across the floor.

3. False Coordination with "As Well As"

• Trap: The primary officer as well as the canine handlers were commended.
• Correction: The subject is singular (officer); as well as does not compound the subject. The correct verb is was: The primary officer [as well as the canine handlers] was commended.

4. Premature Past Perfect Usage

Do not use past perfect when two past events occur in simple chronological order linked by before or after, unless necessary to emphasize completion:

• Awkward / Redundant: After the officer had inspected the bag, he had stamped the declaration.
• Clean Chronological: After the officer inspected the bag, he stamped the declaration.