English Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement Basics

Summary

The video script explains the subject-verb agreement rule, emphasizing the need for the subject and verb to match in number. It illustrates singular subjects with examples like 'she', 'this', and proper nouns, and plural subjects with 'they', 'we', and nouns ending in 's' or 'es'. The script also addresses complex scenarios with 'or', 'either', 'neither', and 'nor', showing how the verb agrees with the closest noun or pronoun. It provides clear examples to help viewers understand and apply these rules correctly.

Takeaways

• 📚 The subject-verb agreement rule states that the subject and verb must match in number (singular or plural).
• 🔍 If a subject is singular, the verb must also be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well.
• 👧 Singular subjects include singular pronouns like 'he', 'she', 'it', and singular nouns like 'tomato', 'goose', or proper nouns like 'New York City' and 'Steve Harvey'.
• 🏙️ Singular subjects should take singular verbs: 'Gina answers her homework alone', 'New York City is a beautiful place'.
• 👥 Plural subjects include plural pronouns like 'they' and 'we', nouns that add 's' or 'es' to become plural like 'tomatoes' and 'fruits', or irregular plurals like 'mice' and 'geese'.
• 📘 Plural subjects should take plural verbs: 'Fruits give a lot of vitamins to the body', 'Shelley, Martin, and Kate are going to the party'.
• 🔗 When two singular subjects are connected by 'or', 'either...or', or 'neither...nor', they take a singular verb: 'Janet or James is arriving by train today'.
• 📏 In 'or', 'either...or', or 'neither...nor' sentences, the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it: 'Either the denim jacket or the shirts go in the drawer'.
• 📝 Proper application of subject-verb agreement ensures clarity in both written and spoken English.
• ✅ The rule also applies when combining two or more nouns connected by 'and': 'Apples and oranges are delicious.'

Q & A

What is the main principle of the subject-verb agreement rule?

The main principle of the subject-verb agreement rule is that the subject and verb must agree in number, meaning if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

How is a singular subject identified in the subject-verb agreement rule?

A singular subject is identified by a singular pronoun like 'she', 'he', 'that', 'this', and 'it', or by a regular or irregular noun in its original form, or by a proper noun representing a single entity.

Can you provide an example of a sentence with a singular subject and verb?

Yes, an example is 'A car is a popular means of transportation.' Here, 'car' is a singular subject and 'is' is a singular verb.

What are the criteria for considering a subject plural?

A subject is considered plural if it is a plural pronoun like 'they' and 'we', a regular noun with an 's' or 'es' added to the original word, an irregular noun in its plural form, or a series of two or more nouns connected with 'and'.

Give an example of a sentence with a plural subject and verb.

An example is 'Gina and Mike answer their homeworks together.' Here, 'Gina and Mike' is a plural subject and 'answer' is a plural verb.

How does the subject-verb agreement rule apply when two singular subjects are connected by 'or', 'either', 'or', 'neither', 'nor'?

In such cases, the verb should agree with the noun or pronoun closest to it. For example, in the sentence 'Either the denim jacket or the shirts go in the drawer', the verb 'go' agrees with 'shirts', which is plural and closest to the verb.

What should be the verb form when neither the shirts nor the denim jacket is the subject?

The verb should be singular if the noun closest to it is singular, as in 'Neither the shirts nor the denim jacket goes in that drawer.' Here, 'jacket' is singular and closest to the verb 'goes'.

Can you explain the rule for subject-verb agreement when the subject is a series of two or more nouns connected with 'and'?

When a series of two or more nouns are connected with 'and', the verb should be plural. For example, in 'Apples and oranges are fruits', the verb 'are' is plural to agree with the plural subject 'apples and oranges'.

What is the significance of the subject-verb agreement rule in English grammar?

The subject-verb agreement rule is significant as it ensures clarity and correctness in sentence construction, helping to avoid confusion about the number of subjects being referred to.

Are there any exceptions to the subject-verb agreement rule?

While the rule is generally strict, there can be exceptions, especially with collective nouns which can be treated as either singular or plural depending on the context.

How can one practice and improve their understanding of the subject-verb agreement rule?

One can practice by reading and writing sentences with various subjects and verbs, paying close attention to the number agreement, and by reviewing grammar exercises that focus on subject-verb agreement.