Subject Verb Agreement | Rules In English Grammar With Examples | Subject Verb Concord | ChetChat

Summary

This video script offers an in-depth exploration of subject-verb agreement, a fundamental grammar rule. It covers basic concepts and advances to more complex scenarios, ensuring viewers are well-prepared for exams like GMAT, SAT, and CAT. The presenter explains various rules, such as the 'jumping s' rule, the 'and' rule, and the impact of collective nouns and indefinite pronouns on verb form. The script is designed to clarify common pitfalls and equip learners with the skills to tackle subject-verb agreement in all its forms.

Takeaways

• 📚 Subject-verb agreement, or concord, is a fundamental grammar rule where the verb form must match the subject's number (singular or plural).
• 🔄 The 'Jumping S Rule' explains that in common nouns, an 's' or 'es' makes them plural, but in verbs, it makes them singular, and this 's' or 'es' can 'jump' between the noun and verb.
• ✍️ The 'And Rule' states that when two nouns are connected by 'and', they form a plural subject and require a plural verb, unless they represent a single entity.
• 📖 Proper nouns, like names of bands or movies, are treated as singular even if they sound plural, such as 'The Beatles' or 'Star Wars'.
• 🏠 Collective nouns like 'team' or 'family' are usually singular, but the verb form can change based on whether the group is acting as one unit or as individual members.
• 📈 Uncountable nouns, such as 'information' or 'advice', are always singular and require singular verbs, despite ending in 's'.
• 👥 Plural nouns that end in 's' but are countable, like 'surroundings' or 'earnings', always take a plural verb.
• 🔢 The phrases 'more than one' and 'a number of' are used with singular nouns and thus require singular verbs, while 'more than two' and 'many a' are used with plural nouns and take plural verbs.
• 💰 Sums of money, periods of time, and measurements are considered singular and take singular verbs, regardless of their size or quantity.
• 🎭 Gerunds (verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns) are singular and take singular verbs, even when the action involves multiple activities.
• 🎉 The video script also covers various pronouns, conjunctions, and adjectives that affect subject-verb agreement, emphasizing the importance of understanding their usage in different contexts.

Q & A

What does 'subject-verb agreement' refer to in English grammar?

Subject-verb agreement, also known as subject-verb concord, refers to the rule that the verb must agree with its subject in number, meaning a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.

What is the 'jumping s rule' mentioned in the script?

The 'jumping s rule' is a concept where the 's' or 'es' that indicates plurality either stays with the noun or moves to the verb, but it does not stay with both at the same time. For example, 'the girls sing' is correct, not 'the girls sings'.

How does the 'and rule' work in subject-verb agreement?

The 'and rule' states that when two nouns are joined by 'and', the subject is considered plural, and a plural verb form is used, unless the nouns represent the same idea, in which case a singular verb is used.

What is the difference between 'the Smith family' and 'The Smiths' as per the script?

The phrase 'the Smith family' is treated as a singular entity, so the verb is singular. In contrast, 'The Smiths' implies multiple people from the Smith family, making it plural and requiring a plural verb.

How should uncountable nouns be treated in terms of subject-verb agreement?

Uncountable nouns are treated as singular in subject-verb agreement, regardless of the quantity, and therefore require singular verbs. Examples include 'information', 'advice', and 'equipment'.

What is the rule for using verbs with collective nouns?

Collective nouns are usually considered as single entities, so they are treated as singular and require singular verbs. However, if the collective noun refers to individual members acting separately, a plural verb may be used.

What are singular indefinite pronouns, and how should they be used with verbs?

Singular indefinite pronouns, such as 'everyone', 'anyone', 'someone', 'no one', 'everybody', 'nobody', 'somebody', 'nothing', 'something', and 'everything', are used with singular verbs because they refer to one person or thing at a time.

How does the 'rule of proximity' apply to sentences with 'either...or' or 'neither...nor'?

The 'rule of proximity' states that the verb should agree with the noun closest to it in sentences using 'either...or' or 'neither...nor'. For example, 'neither the shoes nor the bag matches' uses 'matches' because 'bag' is closer to the verb.

What are plural indefinite pronouns, and how should they be used with verbs?

Plural indefinite pronouns, such as 'several', 'few', 'many', 'others', 'both', 'various', and 'multiple', require plural verbs because they imply more than one entity.

How should the word 'data' be treated in terms of subject-verb agreement?

Although 'data' is a plural noun in Latin, in English, it is often treated as an uncountable noun and thus requires a singular verb. However, when referring to individual pieces of data, a plural verb may be used.

What is the correct way to use verbs with phrases starting with 'more than'?

When using 'more than', the verb should agree with the noun closest to it. If 'more than' is followed by a singular noun, use a singular verb; if followed by a plural noun, use a plural verb.