Grammar Lesson #1 - Tips to Improve Your Sentence Structure

Summary

This video lesson provides a simple but crucial grammar tip to improve English writing: ensure each sentence has a clear subject and main verb. The video explains how sentences with multiple subjects or verbs can confuse readers, especially in academic contexts like IELTS. Viewers are taught to identify common mistakes such as missing verbs or unclear subjects and how to correct them. Additionally, the lesson explores expanding sentences by adding phrases while maintaining clear subject-verb structure. The video emphasizes clarity, offering practical advice for creating more accurate and readable English sentences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ensure every sentence has a subject and a main verb to maintain clarity in your writing.
• 😀 A sentence without a subject and main verb, or with multiple subjects/verbs, can confuse readers and hinder understanding.
• 😀 Imperative sentences (commands) do not need a subject, unlike other types of sentences.
• 😀 Subjects should generally be nouns or noun phrases, while the main verb follows the subject.
• 😀 Complex sentences can be made longer by expanding the subject or verb into phrases, but the basic structure (one subject and one verb) must remain intact.
• 😀 Watch out for common errors like missing subjects, additional subjects, or misplaced verbs that break sentence structure.
• 😀 The words ‘it’ and ‘there’ can be used as empty subjects when a clear noun subject is not available.
• 😀 Use ‘it’ for weather, time, distance, and situations, e.g., ‘It’s sunny,’ ‘It’s six thirty.’
• 😀 Use ‘there’ to introduce something new or talk about existence, e.g., ‘There’s a book on the table.’
• 😀 In questions, auxiliary verbs (like ‘is,’ ‘have,’ ‘can’) usually precede the subject, e.g., ‘Can you help me?’
• 😀 Make sure auxiliary verbs are paired with main verbs for proper sentence structure, especially in negative and question forms.

Q & A

Why is it important to ensure every sentence has a subject and a verb?

Ensuring every sentence has a subject and a verb is crucial for clarity and understanding. Sentences without clear subject-verb structure are harder to read and can confuse the reader, especially in academic contexts like the IELTS exam.

What are the common mistakes students make with subject-verb agreement?

Common mistakes include missing a main verb, having multiple subjects or verbs in a single clause, or failing to clearly link the subject and verb. These errors often make sentences hard to understand and can negatively affect writing clarity.

What is the difference between a subject and a main verb in a sentence?

The subject of a sentence is what the sentence is about, typically a noun or noun phrase (e.g., 'They', 'My teacher'). The main verb expresses what the subject is doing or what is happening (e.g., 'run', 'is').

Can you give an example of a sentence with an incorrect subject-verb structure?

An example would be: 'Imposing higher taxes on fast food it is a good idea.' This sentence has two subjects ('Imposing higher taxes on fast food' and 'it'), which breaks the rule of having only one subject in a clause.

What are ‘it’ and ‘there’ used for in English sentences?

'It' and 'there' are used as empty subjects when no specific noun subject is available. 'It' is often used to talk about time, weather, or situations (e.g., 'It’s cold today'). 'There' is used to introduce new information or existence (e.g., 'There is a book on the table').

How can a longer subject or verb phrase affect sentence structure?

When a subject or verb phrase becomes longer, it can be harder to keep track of the sentence's structure, leading to mistakes. However, if you maintain the core structure of one subject and one verb, even long phrases can still fit into the sentence clearly.

What is the role of auxiliary verbs in sentence construction?

Auxiliary verbs (such as 'have', 'can', 'will') help form different tenses, questions, or negatives in a sentence. They are always paired with a main verb and cannot function alone. For example, in 'She will go', 'will' is the auxiliary verb and 'go' is the main verb.

What is the rule for subject-verb order in questions?

In questions, the auxiliary verb often comes before the subject. For example, in 'Can you help me?' 'Can' (auxiliary verb) comes before 'you' (subject). For questions with 'be', the verb also comes before the subject, as in 'Are you ready?'

What is the primary tip for improving sentence clarity in writing?

The primary tip is to ensure that every sentence has a clear subject and a main verb. This helps maintain clarity and prevents sentences from becoming confusing or difficult to understand.

How does subject-verb agreement impact academic writing like the IELTS exam?

In exams like IELTS, subject-verb agreement is critical because errors in sentence structure can make your writing harder to understand, potentially leading to a lower score. Clear, grammatically correct sentences are essential for good writing.