Subject-Verb Agreement Notes from Video Transcript (Sections G1B, G1D, G1E, G1F, G1G)
Section G1B: When the subject and verb are not next to each other (prepositional phrases between subject and verb)
Core idea: Prepositional phrases (e.g., in, on, at, to, from, of, the tray, the lab) can interrupt the subject and verb. The verb should agree with the actual subject, not with the noun inside the prepositional phrase.
Practical rule: disregard the prepositional phrases and identify the real subject, then choose the verb that agrees with that subject.
Examples explored in the transcript:
The samples on the tray in the lab need testing.
Real subject: samples (plural)
With prepositional phrases ignored: The samples need testing.
High levels of air pollution cause/causes damage to the respiratory tract.
Real subject: levels (plural)
Correct form: cause damage to the respiratory tract.
The slaughter of pandas for their pelts have/has caused the panda population to decline.
Real subject: slaughter (singular)
Correct form: has caused the panda population to decline.
Additional note from the instructor: prepositions only add details; they do not determine subject-verb agreement.
Practice reminder: handwritten exercises, refer to the notes, and isolate the subject by removing prepositional phrases to test agreement.
Quick mental exercise reference (as used in class):
If you see prepositional phrases between subject and verb, ignore them to locate the subject and then decide the correct verb form.
ext{If } S ext{ is plural, then } V ext{ must be plural}.
Section G1D: Either/Neither/Or (and related conjunctions) and agreement with the closer subject
Core idea: For phrases like "either … or", "neither … nor", and similar constructions, the verb should agree with the part of the subject closest to the verb. This is the standard rule emphasized in the notes.
Rules and examples from the transcript:
When both parts are singular (e.g., license and card), the rule as presented suggests choosing the singular verb (the instructor describes this as the "singular burden").
Example guidance: for "License and card", use the singular verb form when interpreting these as a single idea; the example given indicates the verb would be is rather than are.
Note: in standard grammar, two singular nouns joined by "and" typically take a plural verb; the instructional emphasis here is on aligning with the closest subject when using these constructions, or treating it as a single concept.
If one part is different, e.g., "license or a driver's license", the verb would be is (singular) because the closest/first-mentioned part behaves as the deciding element.
Infants/children and fever: "Infant or a child have/has a fever" → correct: has a fever.
Neither the chief financial officer nor the marketing managers were.
Closer subject to the verb is managers (plural) → correct verb: were.
Neither the marketing managers nor the financial officer was.
Closer subject to the verb is officer (singular) → correct verb: was.
Core takeaway: always match the verb with the part of the subject that sits closest to the verb; this is the primary rule for these constructions.
Section G1E: Indefinite pronouns
Core idea: Indefinite pronouns (anybody, everybody, nobody, somebody, anyone, each, etc.) are typically treated as singular in English, so they generally take singular verbs.
Examples from the notes:
Everyone on the team supports the coach.
Indicates a singular subject: Everyone → singular verb: supports.
Each of the essays has/have been graded.
Proper form: has been graded (Each … has).
Nobody who participated in the clinical trials was ____.
Proper form: was (singular).
Nobody, even though there are 17 participants, pool or collection of people.
Emphasizes that indefinite pronouns are treated as a single unit; use singular in related clauses.
Variations to be aware of:
While indefinite pronouns are generally singular, some constructions may feel plural in meaning (e.g., collective sense), but the default guidance in these notes is to treat them as singular unless the context clearly demands a plural verb.
Practical tip: when doing exercises, consult the notes for guidance on these pronouns and verify with the instructor if unsure.
Section G1F: Collective nouns
Core idea: Collective nouns refer to a group and are usually treated as singular, since they represent a single unit. However, if the emphasis is on the individuals within the group, they can be treated as plural.
Typical singular usage (the default):
The class respects the teacher. (singular: class as a single unit)
The board of trustees meets in Denver twice a year. (singular: board as a single body)
When to treat as plural (emphasizing individuals):
The class are debating among themselves. (plural: individuals in the class are doing the debating)
Class members are debating among themselves. (plural: individuals within the class are debating)
Key examples highlighted in the notes:
The class respects the teacher. [singular]
Our class members are ready for the test. [plural emphasis on members]
Practical takeaway: default to singular for most collective nouns; switch to plural only when the sentence stresses members acting separately.
Section G1G: Subjects after the verb (inverted order or there with/expletive constructions)
Core idea: The verb must agree with the actual subject, even if the subject comes after the verb (as in inverted sentences or with dummy subjects like "There").
Examples and reasoning from the transcript:
There are surprisingly few honeybees left in Southern China.
Subject: honeybees (plural) → correct verb: are.
There was or were a social worker and a journalist at the meeting.
Actual subject: two people (social worker and journalist) → correct verb: were (plural).
Penicillin and hepcocidin are antibiotics used.
Compound subject (two items) → correct verb: are.
Practice note: When you encounter a sentence starting with "There" or any other inversion, identify the real subject (the noun or noun phrase that the verb should agree with) and ensure the verb matches that subject, not the position of the subject in the sentence.
Practical tips for the exercises (as given in the transcript)
Use the provided notes as the primary reference when answering exercises; do not rely solely on memory.
For each item in the quiz, try to identify the category (G1B, G1D, G1E, G1F, G1G) and apply the rule described for that category.
When uncertain, rewrite the sentence in standard word order (subject first, verb second) to test agreement.
Remember: prepositional phrases do not determine the verb; they are extra information that should be ignored for the purpose of agreement.
The exercise materials are front and back and involve circling the correct response; a collaborative, low-pressure practice approach is encouraged.
Quick consolidated rules (summary)
Prepositional phrases between subject and verb:
Identify the real subject and make the verb agree with it.
Either/Neither/Or constructions:
Verb agrees with the part of the subject closest to the verb; treat the combination accordingly.
Indefinite pronouns:
Typically singular; take a singular verb.
Collective nouns:
Usually singular (as a unit); plural only when emphasis is on individuals.
Inverted sentences or "there" constructions:
Identify the actual subject and ensure the verb agrees with that subject.
Section G1B: Prepositional Phrases Between Subject and Verb
Core Idea: The verb must agree with the actual subject, not with a noun in a prepositional phrase interrupting it.
Rule: Ignore prepositional phrases (e.g., "on the tray," "of pandas") to find the real subject.
Example:
"The samples on the tray in the lab need testing." (Subject: samples - plural)
"High levels of air pollution cause damage." (Subject: levels - plural)
"The slaughter of pandas has caused decline." (Subject: slaughter - singular)
\text{If } S \text{ is plural, then } V \text{ must be plural}.
Section G1D: Either/Neither/Or and Closer Subject Agreement
Core Idea: With "either…or," "neither…nor," and similar conjunctions, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Examples:
"Neither the chief financial officer nor the marketing managers were at the meeting." (Closest: managers - plural)
"Neither the marketing managers nor the financial officer was at the meeting." (Closest: officer - singular)
"An infant or a child has a fever." (Closest: infant - singular)
Section G1E: Indefinite Pronouns
Core Idea: Indefinite pronouns (e.g., anybody, everyone, each, nobody) are usually treated as singular and take singular verbs.
Examples:
"Everyone on the team supports the coach."
"Each of the essays has been graded."
"Nobody who participated was present."
Section G1F: Collective Nouns
Core Idea: Collective nouns (e.g., class, team, board) are usually singular, treating the group as a unit. They become plural if individuals within the group are emphasized.
Examples:
Singular: "The class respects the teacher." (Class as a unit)
Plural: "The class are debating among themselves." (Individuals acting separately)
Also: "Our class members are ready." (Emphasizes members)
Section G1G: Subjects After the Verb (Inverted Order)
Core Idea: The verb must agree with the actual subject, even if the subject appears after the verb (e.g., sentences starting with "There").
Examples:
"There are surprisingly few honeybees left." (Subject: honeybees - plural)
"There were a social worker and a journalist." (Compound subject: two people - plural)
Consolidated Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Prepositional Phrases: Ignore them; verb agrees with the real subject.
Either/Neither/Or: Verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Indefinite Pronouns: Typically singular (e.g., everyone, each).
Collective Nouns: Generally singular (as a unit); plural if emphasizing individuals.
Inverted Sentences (e.g., "There are…"): Verb agrees with the *