Subject-Verb Agreement - English Grammar - Civil Service Review

Summary

This video is part of a series aimed at helping viewers, particularly those preparing for the Civil Service Exam, understand key language concepts. The focus is on Subject-Verb Agreement, a challenge for many Filipinos due to differences in English and Filipino grammar rules. The speaker explains common mistakes and offers clear guidance on identifying subjects and using the correct verb forms. Various grammatical topics, such as prepositional phrases, indefinite pronouns, and proper nouns, are also covered. Through practical examples, viewers are encouraged to be mindful of these rules to improve their exam performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Subject-Verb Agreement can be confusing for many people, especially non-native English speakers like Filipinos.
• 😀 In English, the basic rule for Subject-Verb Agreement is that singular subjects take verbs with an 's' (e.g., 'he runs'), and plural subjects take verbs without 's' (e.g., 'they run').
• 😀 It’s essential to identify the subject of a sentence to apply the correct verb form, regardless of other words or phrases that may be included in the sentence.
• 😀 Sentences with phrases like 'in the province' or 'all day' may confuse people, but the key is to focus on the main subject to determine if it's singular or plural.
• 😀 When dealing with confusing phrases, such as 'one of the crew sisters,' removing unnecessary words (like 'one of') can clarify the subject of the sentence.
• 😀 Prepositional phrases (e.g., 'in the hanger') should be removed to better focus on the subject when determining subject-verb agreement.
• 😀 Words like 'here' and 'there' can be tricky, but the subject that follows the verb determines whether the verb is singular or plural (e.g., 'there are candies').
• 😀 Words like 'every' and 'each' are always singular, meaning the verb should also be singular (e.g., 'Every child deserves a good home').
• 😀 When multiple subjects are joined by 'and,' the verb should be plural (e.g., 'Reading, writing, and drawing are my hobbies').
• 😀 Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' are treated as singular, so the verb should be singular (e.g., 'Everyone knows').
• 😀 The rule for phrases like 'half of' or '80% of' depends on the noun that follows: if it’s singular (e.g., 'half of the city'), the verb is singular; if plural (e.g., '80% of the citizens'), the verb is plural.

Q & A

Why do many people find Subject-Verb Agreement difficult in English, especially in the Philippines?

Many people in the Philippines find Subject-Verb Agreement difficult because English is not their first language. Additionally, in Filipino, subject-verb agreement is simpler, as the verb does not change significantly based on whether the subject is singular or plural.

What is the basic rule for Subject-Verb Agreement in English?

The basic rule for Subject-Verb Agreement in English is that singular subjects take verbs with an 's' (e.g., 'He runs'), while plural subjects do not (e.g., 'They run').

What does the speaker emphasize when explaining subject-verb agreement?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of identifying the subject in a sentence, regardless of other elements that may be included, to ensure the verb matches in number (singular or plural).

What was the example provided to explain the subject-verb agreement with the word 'children'?

The example given was 'In the province, the children blank in the yard all day.' The correct verb is 'play' because 'children' is plural, so no 's' is added to the verb.

What advice does the speaker give regarding answering multiple-choice questions in exams?

The speaker advises students to stick with the simpler, shorter answers, as exam creators often use longer options as distractions. The simplest answer is usually correct.

How does the speaker explain the use of 'tanggal' phrases in Subject-Verb Agreement?

The speaker explains that 'tanggal' phrases are parts of a sentence that can be removed without changing the meaning. By removing these parts, students can focus on the true subject to determine the correct verb form.

What is a prepositional phrase, and why is it important in subject-verb agreement?

A prepositional phrase provides information about the position or location of something in a sentence (e.g., 'in the yard'). The speaker advises removing prepositional phrases to focus on the subject when determining the verb.

How does the speaker address sentences starting with 'here' or 'there'?

The speaker clarifies that in sentences starting with 'here' or 'there,' the subject following the verb should be identified to determine whether the subject is singular or plural, which dictates the verb form.

What rule does the speaker provide for sentences using 'each' or 'every'?

When sentences use 'each' or 'every,' the subject is always considered singular, meaning the verb must also be singular. For example, 'Every child deserves a good home.'

How should multiple subjects connected by 'and' be treated in subject-verb agreement?

When subjects are connected by 'and,' they are treated as plural, meaning the verb must be plural. For example, 'Reading, writing, and drawing are my hobbies.'

What does the speaker explain about indefinite pronouns and subject-verb agreement?

The speaker explains that indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' are treated as singular, meaning the verb should also be singular, as in 'Everyone knows the answer.'

What rule does the speaker give for 'either or' and 'neither nor' constructions?

In 'either or' and 'neither nor' constructions, the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to it. For example, 'Neither the cash nor the Phantom is aware of the fact.'

How should proper nouns be treated in subject-verb agreement, even if they end in 's'?

Proper nouns, even if they end in 's' (like 'The Beatles'), are treated as singular when referring to the group or entity itself. For example, 'The Beatles is a famous band.'

What is the rule for handling sentences with parts such as 'half' or '80%'?

When a sentence contains parts like 'half' or '80%' referring to a singular noun (e.g., 'half of the city'), the verb is singular. However, if it refers to a plural noun (e.g., '80% of the citizens'), the verb is plural.