English Grammar: Compound Subjects & Verb Agreement
What is a compound subject? It is when you combine several subjects together into one. This helps to avoid repetition in a sentence. But how do you make the verb agree with several subjects? For example, do we say "Bill and Kate is kind" or "are kind"? Do we say "Neither John nor his friends need help" or "needs help"? It all depends on subject-verb agreement, which is an important element of writing and speaking in English. In this lesson, we will look at compound subjects and how verbs react to these. I will teach you how to make the verb agree with the subjects in different kinds of sentences. After the video, be sure to do the quiz at www.engvid.com/english-gramma... to test yourself on the material.
TRANSCRIPT
Hi. Welcome to engVid. I'm Adam. In today's video we're going to look at the "Compound Subject". So this is a grammar lesson, and it doesn't matter if you're a beginner or advanced, it's very important to understand this because it's very easy to make mistakes, especially in writing.
So, we're going to start by looking at the subject. What is a subject? Just to refresh our memories. The subject is the thing in the sentence or in the clause that is going to do the action or is going to be in the situation of the "be" verb, if it's not an action verb. Right? So... And we always have to make sure that our subject and our verb agree. They must agree, especially in terms of number. If you have a singular subject, you must have a singular verb. Right? So let's look at this example: "The doctor is off this week." Right? So when we're talking about the doctor, there's one doctor, his or her situation is that he or she is off this week. They're on vacation. Right? So we have a singular verb.
Now, we're going to look at compounds in terms of taking two pieces and making one subject out of this... Out of the two individual pieces. We're going to look at "and" and we're going to look at "or", "either", "or", "neither", "nor". Okay? But we're going to look at "or" after, we're going to start with "and". First thing you need to remember about "and", it works like a plus sign. One plus one equals two. So, when you take two individual subjects and you join them together, you're creating a two-or-more situation, or a two-or-more subject, therefore you have a plural subject. Right? So: "The doctor and the nurse are off", so plural, whereas you had singular. Now, it doesn't matter if you have plural pieces. "The doctor and the nurse are", "The doctors and the nurse are", "The doctors and the nurses are", any combination because you're joining them into a group and now they are plural and you have a matching verb.
Now, it's very important to remember that we're talking about compounds and we're using a compound conjunction, but if you use: "The doctors"... Well, let's just say "doctor", no "s". "The doctor as well as the nurses are off this week", would this be correct? No, it would not because you're not making a compound. This is an extra. Okay? "The doctor", but if you had: "The doctors as well as the nurses are off this week", that is correct because then you would still have a plural to a plural. Singular, with "as well as", singular. Plural with "as well as", plural. Now: "as well as", "along with", "together with", "accompanied by", all of these expressions are not compound conjunctions. So we only have a compound subject when we have a compound conjunction joining them. Okay?
But there are situations where you're going to have a compound, but you still have a singular subject. "Spaghetti and meatballs is delicious", not "are". Why is this singular? Because this is a grouped thing, they always go together. Spaghetti and meatballs is one idea. Even though you're joining them, they are basically one item. "Peanut butter and jelly is my favourite snack", or "Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are my favourite snack", but then you're using it as an adjective. If it's one piece, if it's a collective, then it's singular. If it's two separate items, then you're making a compound and then you have a plural.
Look at this one: "The founder and CEO of the company is ready to sell", "The founder and CEO of the company are ready to sell". Now, which of these is correct? Well, both can be correct. You can have one person who is both the founder of the company and the CEO of the company. So if this and this refer to the same person, then it's a singular subject and you're using "is". If the founder and the CEO are two different people, then you're creating a compound, you have a plural, and then you have "are" as correct. So it's very important to understand what the two pieces on either side of "and" are doing. Are they two separate things, or are they one combined thing? And then you'll know which... If it's a plural or a singular subject. I'm going to give you some more examples after so you'll get an idea, but first let's look at "or". […]
Пікірлер: 205
Only you could be the one to explain a lesson like this. Tons of thanks.
I have actually learned this grammar point before at high school, but it wasn’t until I watched this video that I truly understood the nature of compound subjects and how to give the correct forms naturally. Thank you so much, Adam. I hope you’ll keep up the good work!
@gamingfireplayz2256
3 жыл бұрын
at high school? I learned this in elementary school.
@ahmetenesacar2326
3 жыл бұрын
@@gamingfireplayz2256 It depends on where you live if you live in a country that are not spoken english or one the formal languages is not English it is pretty normal to learn it at high school because everybody speaks native language.
@khaledomar2212
2 жыл бұрын
@@gamingfireplayz2256 he is not a native speaker. It doesn't matter when you learnt it. The most important thing is how to use them
Love the ways you teach English. It's easy to understand and memorize. Thank you
I start undetstanding your explanation which was not the case one year ago. Now, I'm so thankful to Engvids' teachers you did me a big favour that I'll never forget. You're such awsome people:-)
You are the BEST English teacher in this world!!!!!♥ Love ya'♥
Your lessons helped me a lot. Thank You Mr Adam! Very pleased to see your new video.
Thanks for explaining the English subject, dear teacher.
thank you so much Adam, I'm from an Arabic region and I teach English.. you have no idea how much your vedios help me. thanks a million 🌷
@pacinst6019
3 ай бұрын
Videos**
Adam you're GREAT. You explain things clearly!
Lovely! 😊 I absolutely enjoyed the lesson. I do such mistakes,these agreements ,more often ,comes or used on daily life in conversation . It's one of the important topic which you have cleared . Thanks Adam.
The way you teach is so good
Adam your lessons are so insightful and widen our perspective on many aspects of English language. Thank you sir.
great lesson....
Thanks for clear explanation. I would like to ask you if you could provide a video on Complex subject and Object subject in all tenses, voices and Conditionals. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
TYSM I past my test because of you thank you again🥳🥺
I love the way you teach, it's easy to understand. Thank you so much. 🙏 God Bless Canada 🇨🇦🙏
@scobitoscarlet3786
3 жыл бұрын
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Good day TEACHER !!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗 THANKS .... Your video es excellent 😉😉😉😉😉😉
Good lesson, thanks!!
Good morning, Adam! Watching your videos from Brazil.
My best teacher 👍👍👍
Superb lesson as always. Thank you
Very helpful!! Thank you for your time and effort!!!
Thanks a lot for your lessons. You are the greatest teacher.
Adam you are the best English teacher on the Internet
@Nerdminerlive
6 жыл бұрын
Stanley Man I agree with you.
@ThePayola123
6 жыл бұрын
He's definitely one of the Sexiest...
You are one of the greatest teacher in KZread.
Nice To see you again😍😍😍😍😍 your lessons are very helpful for me.thank you so much. I wish i can see you oneday
Great video as always Mr. Adam! Can you make a video explaining the difference between the Prepositions and Adverbs of Place?
Adam, thank you!
Great topic to explain, dear teacher.
superb sir.. Excellent explanation with examples
Welcome sir ...nice to see you ...I was waiting for you Soo many days.. thanks you sir ...we love you soooooooooooooooooooo much 😘😘😘😘😘
@ChitralPakistan
6 жыл бұрын
Prachi Mishra i had internet no problem dear.
@stas4985
6 жыл бұрын
ахахха мукунка хороший мукунку не обидеть
@aezakmi32
6 жыл бұрын
Stas Lalka Wtf, what's the language your writing?
@stas4985
6 жыл бұрын
russian
Words can't describe your strenuous efforts. God bless you.
I was listening to a coaching video and heard the guy say: "He identified what the challenges lie" It didn't feel right but I seek to correct myself. I felt it should be "He identified where the challenges lie" I appreciate your help on this.
@howdy8301
4 жыл бұрын
you are correct
Great job Adam .Thanks ,it is quite useful
This video is very helpful. Thanks Adam.
Thanks from Egypt: )
Great lesson Adam.Thanks
Thanks ADAM
Hi Adam, your discussion is crystal clear......simply amazing!!!! want to learn english better thru your videos....God bless you!!!!
@niroshapriyadarshani8926
2 жыл бұрын
Your lessons are very clear and I'm interested in them.could you please make a video how to build sentences with 'my favourite...is....because I have my doubt how to use the agreement at the end of the sentence.eg:- 'My favorite fruit is pineapple or the pineapple', 'My favorite animal is a dog or the dog'
Very very useful technique is being reflected through this vedeo.Thanks.
This video and this channel really helps me with my home work when i starrted wacthing engVid i got good grades thanks ADAM :)
@Yousef-12982
3 жыл бұрын
Lol. Before I watched him I used to get 8-10/10
THanks a lot teacher!!!
Thanks a lot dear
Welcome back..we miss u
May God bless you
Adam where were you? I missed your videos! Great one by the way!
@user-ez2xz6fx7l
6 жыл бұрын
Jonathan Andrade , if you are missing hard, check his second KZread channel “Write to Top”. Good luck !
@nahidsultana8160
5 жыл бұрын
Me also
I didn`t know about "compound subject", now I know. I really appreciate this lesson!
Great job
I'm Unggul susanto, faculty of agriculture, lampung university. Youre excellent, thank u very much
very clear and very simple thanks
Adam ☺ You speak so tastefully ! Video seemed like as I was having a meal ☺☺☺😊❤
wow video was awesome and u teach english very well than indian english teacher
Thank you very much ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you sir your lessons are nice at all
Thank you Adam ....
Thanks a lot Adam
THANKS ADAM.
Thanks Adam. I got all correct answers. 😬😬😬
my best teacher !! you are very successfull !
Thank you so much Sir .
Thankx so much about such an amazing video.
Hi Adam, thank you for your video. I just wanted to review the part where you explain “as well as:” So, if I say: “The doctor, as well as the nurses, is off this week” that is correct! Isn’t it? Now: “The doctors, as well as the nurses, are off this week” is this also correct? Please I hope to hear from you. Thank you.
@icylemonica1208
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Eliza. I`m not expert but I think that those two sentences are correct.
great work...thanks a lot ...
This video was published on my birthday. 🎉
That was a great one :)
thnku mr.adam.. love friend india. pls continue this phrasal verb session consistently.. also can you please do a lecture in IDIOMS AND PHRASES?
thank you teacher !
Interesting for contrasting compounded words and actions in conjunction for application
Thank you But I wish from yours to give an explanation about shifting in tenses
Adam, what about contruction 'There is' or 'Here is'? Should I use singular or plural in such sentences: "There is/are a book and a pen on the table"
Thank you its really helpful for me to pass my math exam
you're my favorite teacher
U make it so easy to understand!! Thanks a lot, could u please make a video of Absolute Phrases pls? God Bless you! 😘😘😘😘
You are nice teacher in the world
Good job..... Thanks
excelent subject. well done
Thanks again ^^
The example “spaghetti and meatballs is delicious” just broke me. I’d swear that using “are” is the correct way to write/say.
1:15
Thanks a lot from India
Best wishes from Pakistan.
Adam Useful and clear explanation Hope you show us How to use suffixes like im (impolite),dis (dishonest) and un (unhappy) properly. I am always confused when It comes to using them. Thx a lot
Thanks a lot
Thanks Guruji(sir).
good job I'm begginer A1 but I understood the class Awesome
Thanks👍
Thanks a lot for great and clear explanations of the grammar points. I'd like to ask something about the example: "The founder and CEO of the company is/are ready to sell." If it is referred to the same person, 'is' should be used. If it is referred to two separate persons 'are' should be used, which I understand and agree upon, although I wonder shouldn't one add 'the' before CEO to clarify? Or is it correct either or? If anyone knows?
Hi sir, Please make easy sentences of "moment in the sun" please please as soon as possible
Pls make a video on , how fixed prepositions work
I learned many things from your videos. Thank You. Do you have any video about trees, big tree, small tree? all plants are not called trees.
Hi Adam, can I know if you are a native speaker or not? If you are the native English speaker, which accent do you have? Because it sounds like my accent and I am not a native speaker.
@zmztv2707
6 жыл бұрын
GameXPer He is from Canada so he is a native speaker of English
Ok, in the second example it is "The doctor as well as the nurses is off this week", correct? Now if I maintain the "doctor" (singular) and use "and" instead of "as well", it would be: "The doctor and nurses are off this weak", right?
@antonzimnitski9536
6 жыл бұрын
You are correct)
Your the best
Good good good I like it
sir please teach us about tenses in practical way too
Thank you sm sir
Thanks
Thank u 🙂
Hi, Adam. Neither nor is a negative form of either or ?
Sir, I am a subscriber of your channel. Your advance grammar teaching is very excellent. After I learned from you, I made some exercise by myself. Please correct me if there are any mistakes in the sentence like compound, complex etc.. Last night, around three o clock I slept, but I forgot to set my alarm to wake up early in the morning to attend the Important meeting, so I missed it. On the next day, my manager asked me why I did not attend the meeting, and I told him that I slept well, as I forgot to set the alarm, however, he did not accept my excuses.