Subject Verb Agreement | English Lesson | Common Grammar Mistakes

Summary

In this mmmEnglish lesson, Emma addresses a common grammar issue for English learners: subject-verb agreement. She explains that the subject and verb in a sentence must match in number, with plural subjects requiring a plural verb form and singular subjects needing a singular verb form. Emma highlights exceptions, such as the pronouns 'I' and 'you', which take a plural verb form despite being singular. She also covers the use of auxiliary verbs, modal verbs, and the complexities introduced by indefinite pronouns, compound subjects, and group nouns. Emma emphasizes the importance of clearly pronouncing final consonant sounds for effective communication. She provides examples and tips to help learners master subject-verb agreement, both in writing and speaking, and encourages practice for better understanding and application.

Takeaways

• 📚 Subject-verb agreement is a common grammar mistake where the subject and verb in English sentences must match in number.
• 🏖️ For singular subjects, use a singular verb form (e.g., 'He goes to the beach'), and for plural subjects, use a plural verb form (e.g., 'They go to the beach').
• 🔄 In the present tense, nouns and verbs agree in opposite ways; plural nouns do not add 's' to the verb, while singular nouns do.
• 👤 Exceptions to the rule include 'I' and 'you', which are singular but take the plural form of the verb (e.g., 'I like', 'You like').
• ⚠️ Auxiliary verbs like 'do', 'does', 'am', 'is', 'are', 'was', 'were', 'have', 'has' become the agreeing verb and must match the subject.
• 🚫 Modal auxiliary verbs like 'may', 'could', 'will', 'must', 'should' are followed by the infinitive form of the verb, not the 's' form.
• 🤔 Identifying the subject can be complex in sentences with compound subjects, group nouns, and relative clauses.
• 👥 When two singular subjects are joined by 'and', they become a plural subject and require a plural verb.
• 🏠 Group nouns like 'team', 'family' can be singular or plural depending on whether they refer to the group as a whole or the individuals within it.
• 📰 Some nouns that appear plural, like 'news', and uncountable nouns are treated as singular and require a singular verb.
• 🧐 The position of the subject and verb can change in questions, so it's important to identify the subject correctly to ensure agreement.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the mmmEnglish lesson presented in the transcript?

The main focus of the mmmEnglish lesson is subject-verb agreement in English, which is a common grammar mistake made by English learners.

What is the basic rule for subject-verb agreement in English?

The basic rule for subject-verb agreement in English is that the subject and the verb in a sentence must agree or match in number, whether singular or plural.

How does the verb form change when the subject is plural?

When the subject is plural, the verb form does not add an 's'. For example, 'The cars look expensive', where 'cars' is plural and 'look' is the correct plural verb form.

What is an exception to the subject-verb agreement rule in English?

An exception to the subject-verb agreement rule is when the subject is 'I' or 'you'. Even though they are singular, they take the plural form of the verb, as in 'I like to go swimming'.

How does the presence of an auxiliary verb affect subject-verb agreement?

When there is an auxiliary verb in a sentence, it becomes the agreeing verb that must match the subject in number, as in 'The dogs don't want it' where 'don't' agrees with the plural subject 'dogs'.

What is the rule for subject-verb agreement with modal auxiliary verbs?

With modal auxiliary verbs like may, could, will, must, should, the verb following the modal verb is never in the 's' form. It's always in the infinitive form, as in 'My friend might come'.

What are indefinite pronouns and how do they affect subject-verb agreement?

Indefinite pronouns are words like everybody, nobody, anybody, someone. They usually take singular verbs, as in 'Everybody wants to be loved'.

How does the subject-verb agreement work with compound subjects joined by 'and'?

When two or more singular subjects are joined by 'and', they become a plural subject and require a plural verb, as in 'My mum and dad are proud of me'.

What is the rule for subject-verb agreement with gerunds and gerund phrases as subjects?

When a gerund or a gerund phrase is the subject, it takes the singular form of the verb, as in 'Waiting for the bus is annoying'. However, when linked by 'and', they take the plural form, as in 'Meeting friends after work and going to the beach are my favourite things'.

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

Group nouns like club, team, company, family, crowd, class can be treated as either singular or plural depending on the meaning of the sentence. They are singular when referring to the group as a whole and plural when referring to the individuals within the group.

What is the advice given for English learners who struggle with pronouncing final consonant sounds?

The advice given is to practice out loud during lessons, ensuring to hit those final consonant sounds clearly, to improve pronunciation and clarity in speech.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement in English

Emma from mmmEnglish introduces the common grammar mistake of subject-verb agreement, emphasizing its importance in both writing and speaking. She explains the basic rule that subjects and verbs must match in number, with singular subjects requiring singular verb forms and plural subjects requiring plural forms. Emma also notes exceptions, such as 'I' and 'you' taking plural verbs despite being singular. The paragraph highlights the challenges English learners face in pronouncing final consonant sounds and encourages practicing out loud to improve clarity.

05:00

📘 Advanced Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

This paragraph delves into more complex aspects of subject-verb agreement, including the use of auxiliary verbs that agree with the subject, the infinitive form used after modal verbs, and the intricacies of indefinite pronouns that typically take singular verbs. Emma discusses compound subjects and how they affect verb agreement, as well as the distinction between singular and plural interpretations of group nouns like 'team' or 'family'. She also touches on the importance of identifying the true subject in sentences with relative clauses or noun phrases to ensure correct verb agreement.

10:02

🔍 Identifying Subjects and Verbs in Complex Sentences

Emma concludes the lesson by addressing the difficulty of identifying subjects and verbs in complex sentences, especially in questions where their positions may change. She provides examples to illustrate how to find the subject and ensure verb agreement, even in sentences with relative clauses or noun phrases. The paragraph also mentions nouns that appear plural but are treated as singular, such as 'news', and uncountable nouns. Emma encourages learners to review the lesson, subscribe to the channel for more, and engage with the provided resources to practice pronunciation and learn about silent letters in English.

Keywords

💡Subject-verb agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammar rule in English that states the verb must correspond in number with its subject. This concept is central to the video's theme, as it is the main grammar mistake discussed. For example, the script uses 'The cars look expensive' to illustrate correct agreement with a plural subject, and 'The car looks expensive' for a singular subject.

💡Plural verb form

A plural verb form is used when the subject of a sentence is more than one. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that if the subject is plural, such as 'cars', the verb does not take an 's', as in 'The cars look expensive'. This is a key part of understanding subject-verb agreement.

💡Singular verb form

A singular verb form is utilized when the subject is one. The script explains that with a singular subject like 'car', the verb must include an 's', as shown in 'The car looks expensive'. This distinction is crucial for correct subject-verb agreement.

💡Auxiliary verb

An auxiliary verb, also known as a helping verb, is used in conjunction with the main verb in a sentence to form various tenses. The video clarifies that in sentences with auxiliary verbs like 'do', 'does', 'am', 'is', 'are', 'was', 'were', 'have', or 'has', the subject must agree with the auxiliary verb, not the main verb. For instance, 'The dogs don't want it' versus 'The dog doesn't want it'.

💡Modal auxiliary verbs

Modal auxiliary verbs such as 'may', 'could', 'will', 'must', 'should' are used to express ability, permission, obligation, and other modalities. The video points out that with modal auxiliary verbs, the verb that follows is never in the 's' form but remains in the infinitive, as in 'My friends might come' and not 'my friend might comes'.

💡Indefinite pronouns

Indefinite pronouns like 'everybody', 'nobody', 'anybody', 'someone' do not specify a particular noun but refer to non-specific entities. The script mentions that these pronouns typically take singular verbs, as in 'Everybody wants to be loved', emphasizing the singular form despite the plural appearance.

💡Compound subjects

Compound subjects occur when two or more nouns are joined by 'and', making the subject plural. The video script uses 'My mum and dad are proud of me' to demonstrate that the verb must agree with the compound subject by being plural.

💡Gerunds

A gerund is a verb form that functions as a noun. When a gerund is the subject of a sentence, it takes a singular verb form, as shown in 'Waiting for the bus is annoying'. However, when multiple gerunds are linked by 'and', they are considered a plural subject, requiring a plural verb.

💡Group nouns

Group nouns such as 'team', 'family', 'crowd' can be tricky because they can be singular or plural depending on the context. The video explains that if the group noun refers to the group as a whole, it is singular, as in 'The team is organizing the event'. But if it refers to the individuals within the group, it is plural, as in 'The team are meeting today'.

💡Uncountable nouns

Uncountable nouns, like 'news' or 'furniture', may seem plural due to their form but are treated as singular in English. The script emphasizes that uncountable nouns require a singular verb, as in 'The news is interesting'.

💡Relative clauses

A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun. The video points out that relative clauses can make it difficult to identify the subject, which is necessary for correct subject-verb agreement. An example from the script is 'The car, which belongs to my brother, is not very clean'.

Highlights

Subject-verb agreement is a common grammar mistake for English learners.

The subject and verb in English sentences must match in number.

Use a plural verb form if the subject is plural, and a singular verb form if the subject is singular.

Subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear communication in both writing and speaking.

Pronunciation of final consonant sounds is important for clarity in speech.

In present tense, nouns and verbs agree in opposite ways; plural nouns do not add 's' to the verb.

Singular subjects 'I' and 'you' are exceptions, taking a plural verb form.

Auxiliary verbs agree with the subject, not the main verb in a sentence.

Modal auxiliary verbs are followed by the infinitive form of the verb, not the 's' form.

Complex sentences require careful attention to subject-verb agreement, regardless of intervening words.

Indefinite pronouns usually take singular verbs.

Compound subjects joined by 'and' become plural and require a plural verb.

Subjects joined by 'or' are treated as singular unless indicating a choice between two singular nouns.

Gerunds and gerund phrases take a singular verb unless linked by 'and', then they take a plural form.

Group nouns can be singular or plural depending on whether they refer to the group as a whole or the individuals within.

Some nouns appear plural but take a singular verb, such as 'news'.

Uncountable nouns are always treated as singular and take a singular verb.

Identifying the subject in complex sentences is key to choosing the correct verb form.

Relative clauses and noun phrases can make it difficult to locate the subject and verb for agreement.

The lesson provides valuable insights into mastering subject-verb agreement in English.

Transcripts

Hello, I'm Emma from mmmEnglish!

One of the most common grammar mistakes

that English learners make

is to do with the subject verb agreement.

What's that?

It's as simple as it sounds!

The subject and the verb in English sentences

must agree.

They must match.

We go to the beach on Saturdays.

If the subject is plural,

you need to use a plural verb form.

He goes to the beach on Saturdays.

He goes.

The subject is singular,

so you need to use a singular verb form.

And this is true, most of the time!

Now, you might be thinking that you

understand subject verb agreement.

It's simple, it's easy, right?

But it's the first thing that many English learners forget!

But don't worry, there are some simple

standard rules that you can use to help you.

But some aspects of singular and plural noun usage

make this a little more complex.

So that's why I'm going to teach you some tips

to master subject verb agreement in English.

Before we start,

I want to highlight that there are two main areas

where subject verb agreement can cause you problems.

The first is in your writing.

And it's important to know

the subject verb agreement rules

and how to use them correctly

so that your English writing is grammatically correct.

The other is your speaking skills.

Now, perhaps you feel confident that you know

how to match verbs to their subject

but the challenge is making that clear

when you're speaking.

And sometimes,

you might not even know this is a problem for you.

The final consonant sounds are so important

to communicating clearly.

But for many English learners,

it's not that easy to do.

Pronouncing the difference between do and does.

Now if this sounds like you,

then I want you to try and practise with me

out loud during this lesson.

Make sure you're hitting those final consonant sounds.

Okay?

Let's begin.

In the present tense,

nouns and verbs agree

in opposite ways.

When your subject is plural,

you usually add S to show that it's plural, right?

Car becomes cars.

Baby becomes babies.

But when your subject is plural,

you do not add an S to your verb.

The cars look expensive.

Our noun, cars,

is plural.

Cars.

Now our verb agrees with our subject.

The cars look expensive.

Now compare this to:

The car looks expensive.

When our noun is singular,

our verb needs to include an S.

In these examples,

the noun and the verb agree in opposite ways.

But I can already hear you saying

"What about if your subject is I or you?

They're singular subjects

but they don't use the singular verb form."

Yes,

but they're an exception to the rule.

Subject verb agreement rules are different

when your subject is in the third-person singular.

So that's when your subject is a he,

a she or an it.

The subjects I and you are different.

Even though they're also singular nouns,

they take the plural form of the verb

and you just need to remember that.

I like to go swimming.

She likes to go swimming.

Both of these subjects are singular

but the verb forms are different.

Now,

if there is an auxiliary verb,

a helping verb,

in your sentence

like do or does

in the present simple

or am, is, are, was, were in the continuous tenses

or have or has

in the perfect tenses

then,

you need to think about your subject verb agreement

because the auxiliary verb

becomes the agreeing verb,

the verb that agrees with the subject.

The dogs don't want it.

The dog doesn't want it.

We're going to the beach.

He is going to the beach.

Anna and Tony have been driving for hours.

Anna has been driving for hours.

Now modal verbs

like may, could, will, must, should,

they're also auxiliary verbs.

They help the main verb in the sentence

but the subject verb agreement rules are different

with modal auxiliary verbs.

The verb following a modal verb

is never in the S form.

It's always in the infinitive form.

My friends might come.

My friend might come.

Not my friend might comes.

You should come.

He should come.

Not he should comes.

Now, English sentences are not always this simple,

are they?

As you add more information to your sentences,

they become more complex

and it might be difficult to know whether your noun is

singular or plural.

But just remember that the same structure

and rules apply.

But you need to pay close attention

to where your subject is

and if it's singular or plural

because your verb must always match the subject

regardless of the words

that come in between

the verb and the subject.

It must always match.

Do you know what an indefinite pronoun is?

They're words like

everybody, nobody

anybody, someone.

Usually indefinite pronouns

take singular verbs.

Everybody wants to be loved.

Nobody likes to be left out.

Now the subject of English sentences

can be a little more complicated

with compound subjects.

Group nouns and relative clauses.

Look at this sentence.

My mum is happy for me.

My mum and dad are proud of me.

Two singular subjects

joined by "and"

means that your subject becomes plural

and now your verb needs to show this.

It's the same as saying that

they are proud of me.

So we can say that

two or more singular subjects

joined with "and"

become a plural subject

and they need a plural verb.

Now look at this sentence.

Peter or Paul is coming.

Now in this sentence,

the two singular subjects

are treated as a singular subject

because "or" gives us an option.

We're not saying both.

It's one singular noun or the other.

Not both of them together.

We would say

Peter and Paul are coming.

or

Peter or Paul is coming.

Playing football is fun.

Now the same rule applies

for gerunds and gerund phrases.

When gerunds are the subject,

they take the singular form of the verb.

Waiting for the bus is annoying.

But

when they're linked by "and"

they also take the plural form.

Meeting friends after work

and going to the beach

are my favourite things about living here.

Okay, so what about group nouns?

Single nouns that are actually

groups of people or things.

Club,

team,

company,

family,

crowd,

class.

They can be either singular or plural,

depending on the meaning of an individual sentence.

This is because they can describe

the individuals in the group

and since there's more than one,

it must be plural.

But it's also possible to use these nouns

as a single group

when you're referring to the group as a whole.

Then they're singular.

So they can be a little tricky!

For example.

The team is organising the event.

So this is referring to just the single unit,

it's a singular noun.

So we need to use the singular verb.

The team are meeting today.

So the members of the club are meeting together.

Using the plural form of the verb.

The teams are meeting today.

So when used plurally,

this means that there are

many of the individual group nouns.

There are more than one team

or family or a club.

And don't forget that some nouns

look like plural nouns

but they take a singular form.

For example, news.

It seems plural because of the S

but we need to treat it as a singular noun.

You need a singular verb.

The news is interesting.

Of course, any uncountable noun is treated this way too.

So don't say the furnitures are comfortable.

Say the furniture is comfortable.

Okay let's keep going!

We're getting a little more complex now.

Sometimes

the subject is tricky to find in English sentences.

It's not always before the noun.

Subjects and verbs change positions

in English questions

so you need to make sure you identify

which is the subject

before you choose the verb form.

What are the steps we need to follow?

In this sentence, "the steps" are the subject

and the verb is "are"

because it's plural.

There are many plants in your garden.

There is a plant in the bathroom.

Look at this sentence.

The car, which belongs to my brother,

is not very clean.

Relative clauses can make it difficult

to locate the subject and the verb.

Noun phrases also make this difficult,

where a group of words act as a noun.

The new features of the car are impressive.

"The features" are the subject.

It's plural, so it needs a plural verb

The more complex that your sentence becomes,

the harder you need to look for the subject and the verb

and make sure that they agree.

That was exhausting, wasn't it?

You might need to go for a walk now

to let all of that sink in or watch again.

I'm sure that some of this lesson

was good revision for you,

but perhaps you learned a few new things

about subject verb agreement, too.

I hope so!

If you love this channel and you enjoy my lessons,

please subscribe just here

and let me know in the comments

what type of lessons you'd like me to make in the future.

And keep watching this playlist!

This playlist here

will help you to practise your pronunciation

and learn more about silent letters in English.

And in this lesson, you'll be able to try out

one of my English imitation lessons for free!

So I'll see you next week for another mmmEnglish lesson!

Bye for now!