English Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement Basics

The English Scholar

28 Apr 202303:51

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

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📚 Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

This paragraph explains the rules of subject-verb agreement in English grammar. It states that the subject and verb must agree in number, meaning a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. Examples are given to illustrate this, such as 'the little girl plays' versus 'the students read.' The paragraph also details what constitutes a singular subject, including singular pronouns, regular and irregular nouns in their original form, and proper nouns. It further explains what makes a subject plural, including plural pronouns, regular nouns with 's' or 'es' added, irregular plural nouns, and series of nouns connected with 'and.' Additionally, it covers the rule for sentences with two singular subjects connected by 'or,' 'either,' 'or,' 'neither,' 'nor,' stating that the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement is the grammatical rule that states that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. This concept is central to the video's theme, as multiple examples are provided, such as 'The little girl plays in the sandbox' (singular) versus 'The students read a book together' (plural).

💡Singular Subject

A singular subject refers to a single entity (person, place, or thing) in a sentence, which requires a singular verb form. In the video, singular subjects are exemplified by pronouns like 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or proper nouns like 'Steve Harvey' or 'New York City.' For instance, 'Steve Harvey is going to the party' demonstrates how a singular subject takes a singular verb.

💡Plural Subject

A plural subject involves two or more entities, requiring a plural verb form. This is illustrated in the video with subjects like 'they,' 'we,' and nouns like 'mice' and 'cacti.' An example provided is 'Shelley, Martin, and Kate are going to the party,' showing that when the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

💡Pronouns

Pronouns are words that replace nouns in sentences, and they are critical in determining the verb form in subject-verb agreement. The video explains that singular pronouns like 'he,' 'she,' and 'it' take singular verbs, while plural pronouns like 'they' and 'we' require plural verbs. For example, 'She plays in the sandbox' versus 'They play in the sandbox.'

💡Regular Nouns

Regular nouns form their plural by adding 's' or 'es' to the singular form, and this impacts the verb choice. In the video, examples like 'tomato' becoming 'tomatoes' and 'fruit' becoming 'fruits' demonstrate how plural regular nouns take plural verbs. For instance, 'Tomatoes grow in the garden' is used to show plural agreement.

💡Irregular Nouns

Irregular nouns do not follow the typical pattern of adding 's' or 'es' to form their plural. Instead, they may change form entirely, such as 'mouse' becoming 'mice' and 'goose' becoming 'geese.' In the video, the sentence 'Mice are scary' shows how these irregular plurals follow the same subject-verb agreement rules as regular nouns.

💡Proper Nouns

Proper nouns are specific names of people, places, or things and are treated as singular or plural based on their form. The video explains that singular proper nouns like 'Steve Harvey' or 'New York City' require singular verbs, as in 'New York City is a beautiful place.' Proper nouns emphasize the individuality of the subject.

💡Compound Subjects

A compound subject consists of two or more nouns connected by 'and,' and it typically takes a plural verb. The video gives examples like 'Shelley, Martin, and Kate are going to the party' to illustrate that when multiple subjects are combined with 'and,' the verb should be plural.

💡Either/Or and Neither/Nor

When subjects are connected by 'either/or' or 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. In the video, sentences like 'Either Kiana or Casey is helping today' and 'Neither the shirts nor the denim jacket goes in that drawer' demonstrate this rule. The verb matches the nearest subject in number, whether singular or plural.

💡Proximity Rule

The proximity rule in subject-verb agreement states that when subjects are connected by 'or,' 'either/or,' or 'neither/nor,' the verb must agree with the noun closest to it. The video exemplifies this with 'Neither the shirts nor the denim jacket goes in that drawer,' where 'jacket,' being singular and closest to the verb, dictates the singular form 'goes.'

Highlights

The subject-verb agreement rule asserts that the subject and verb must agree in number: singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.

Examples of singular subject-verb agreement: 'The little girl plays in the sandbox' and 'The mother loves all of her children'.

Examples of plural subject-verb agreement: 'The students read a book together'.

Singular subjects include pronouns like she, he, that, this, and it.

Both regular and irregular nouns in their singular forms, such as 'tomato', 'mouse', and 'goose', take singular verbs.

Proper nouns, when referring to a single entity like 'Steve Harvey' or 'New York City', also take singular verbs.

Examples of singular subject-verb agreement with proper nouns: 'Steve Harvey is going to the party' and 'New York City is a beautiful place'.

Plural subjects include pronouns like they and we, as well as regular nouns that are pluralized with 's' or 'es', such as 'tomatoes', 'fruits', and 'papers'.

Irregular nouns, when pluralized, change form, such as 'mice' and 'geese', and take plural verbs.

Subjects with two or more nouns connected by 'and', like 'Shelley, Martin, and Kate', take plural verbs.

Examples of plural subject-verb agreement: 'A car and a bike are popular means of transportation' and 'Shelley, Martin, and Kate are going to the party'.

When two singular subjects are connected by 'or', 'either...or', or 'neither...nor', the verb takes a singular form, as in 'Janet or James is arriving by train today'.

If one singular and one plural subject are connected by 'or', 'either...or', or 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the closest subject.

Example of agreement with the closest subject: 'Neither the shirts nor the denim jacket goes in that drawer', where 'jacket', a singular noun, is closest to the verb.

When the plural noun is closest to the verb in such constructions, the verb becomes plural, as in 'Either the denim jacket or the shirts go in the drawer'.