STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION PART 1 # LC UIN BANDUNG

Summary

This educational video focuses on the structure and expression of English grammar, particularly in relation to subject-verb agreement and sentence construction. It introduces strategies for tackling structure and expression questions in exams, emphasizing the importance of focusing on subjects, prepositional phrases, and verb forms. The session covers specific grammatical rules, such as the use of singular and plural verbs with collective nouns and subjects connected by 'or' or 'nor'. Practical examples are given, and students are encouraged to practice exercises to strengthen their understanding. Overall, the video provides valuable tips for mastering English grammar for exams.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on understanding the structure and expression for MB questions, with a focus on sentence construction in English.
• 😀 The structure questions consist of 40 items, split into 15 structure-related questions and 25 expression-related questions.
• 😀 The structure questions typically ask for completion of sentences, while the expression questions focus on identifying the correct choice from options presented.
• 😀 Strategies for approaching structure and expression questions include starting with easier questions (1-5), and avoiding skipping questions, especially towards the end of the test (36-40).
• 😀 It is crucial to focus on the subject-verb agreement and the correct form of the verb, as well as prepositional phrases in structure questions.
• 😀 Prepositional phrases should be ignored when identifying the subject and verb in a sentence, as they do not influence subject-verb agreement.
• 😀 When dealing with singular or plural nouns after 'either' or 'nor', the verb form should match the noun's number (singular or plural).
• 😀 For structure questions, be mindful of the subject that comes before prepositional phrases like 'along with' or 'as well as'.
• 😀 Some common words, like 'everybody' and 'nobody', are always followed by singular verbs despite referring to groups or people.
• 😀 Verbs ending in '-ing' in structure questions often represent nouns, and these should be treated as singular when determining subject-verb agreement.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lecture in the transcript?

The main focus of the lecture is on understanding structure and expression questions in English grammar, particularly on subject-verb agreement and how to approach these types of questions in exams.

What are the two types of questions discussed in the transcript?

The two types of questions discussed are 'Structure' questions and 'Expression' questions. Structure questions typically focus on sentence completion based on grammatical rules, while expression questions require identifying the correct form or error in a sentence.

What is the recommended strategy for tackling the questions in order?

The recommended strategy is to start with the easier questions (1-5), then move on to more challenging ones (11-15 and 36-40). It's important to answer the questions in order to avoid missing simpler questions and to have time for review later.

How should prepositional phrases be treated when identifying the subject of a sentence?

Prepositional phrases should be ignored when identifying the subject of a sentence. Focus on the main subject and not on the intervening phrases.

What is subject-verb agreement, and why is it important in this context?

Subject-verb agreement refers to matching the subject of the sentence with the correct form of the verb, whether singular or plural. This is important in structure questions because it ensures that sentences are grammatically correct and clear.

Why is it important to differentiate between singular and plural subjects when choosing the correct verb?

It is crucial to differentiate between singular and plural subjects to ensure that the verb form matches the subject. For example, a singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb.

What is the role of words like 'nobody', 'everybody', and 'everything' in subject-verb agreement?

Despite referring to groups of people or things, words like 'nobody', 'everybody', and 'everything' are considered singular. Therefore, they should be followed by a singular verb.

How do you handle sentences with gerunds (verbs ending in -ing)?

Gerunds are treated as singular nouns, so they should be followed by a singular verb. For example, 'Swimming is fun' is correct, while 'Swimming are fun' is incorrect.

What is the main takeaway regarding the use of prepositional phrases in subject-verb agreement?

The main takeaway is to focus on the subject of the sentence, not the prepositional phrase. Prepositional phrases can include plural nouns, but they don't affect the subject-verb agreement.

Can a subject be followed by either a singular or plural verb? If so, when?

Yes, a subject can be followed by either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun following 'or' or 'nor'. For example, 'John or his friends are going to the beach' (plural verb for plural noun), but 'John or his friend is going to the beach' (singular verb for singular noun).