Shadowing Practice: What Is Subject-Verb Agreement? | Learn the Basic Rules with Examples - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Subject -Verb Agreement with Bob and Billy.
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Hello, and welcome to Tutoring Hour!
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I'm Bob and this is Billy.
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We are the coolest kids in town.
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Hi there.
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In this video, we're going on a fun -filled adventure and we will learn about subject verb agreement in the process.
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Let's dive right into it.
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Let us begin with an example.
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Look at this sentence: What's the verb that matches the subject?
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Is it Moe or Moe's?
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Hmm.
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I don't know.
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Let's first understand what a subject is.
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A subject is the person, place, or thing that performs the action in a sentence or indicates what the sentence is about.
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Who is this sentence about?
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Amanda!
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Right, Billy!
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Now, which verb do you think will match the subject?
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I think it's Moe's.
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Amanda mows the lawn every Sunday.
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That's right, Billy.
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The singular subject Amanda needs a singular verb, so we use "mos." Let's try another example.
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Is it "is playing" or "are playing"?
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Hmm.
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Is it "is playing" or "are playing"?
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I think it should be "is playing".
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The subject in this sentence, Trevor, is singular, so the verb should be "is playing".
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Trevor is playing the guitar in the concert.
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Good going, Billy!
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Our next example.
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Is it bake or bakes?
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BAKES!
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No Billy, you're mistaken!
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We need to use bake because we have a plural subject, bakers in this sentence.
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Oops, my bad.
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Thanks for catching that!
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When you have a plural subject in a sentence, you need to use a plural verb.
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The bakers bake cakes for the party.
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Right, Bob?
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Of course, Billy!
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Our next example is it is reading or are reading?
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Let me look for the subject.
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Hmm.
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It is girls.
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We have a plural noun, meaning we need a plural verb.
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So we should use are reading.
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Way to go, Billy!
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You are right!
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We are talking about more than one girl.
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So we use are reading and not is reading.
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The girls are reading fairy tales.
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Time for our next example.
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Is it was clicking or were clicking?
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Wait a minute, Bob.
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The subject here is photographer.
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It is a singular noun.
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We need a singular verb.
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Hmm.
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It is "was clicking".
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The photographer was clicking pictures of the event.
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Great job, Billy!
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Here comes our next example.
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Is it "was jumping" or "were jumping"?
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Hold on a second, Bob.
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We're talking about more than one athlete, so we should use "were jumping" - the athletes were jumping rope to stay fit.
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Am I right, Bob?
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You're right, Billy!
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Our next example is, is it wash or washes?
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Bob, we have two subjects here, don't we?
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You are right, Billy!
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We have Toby and Henry!
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If the subject consists of multiple nouns joined by the conjunction "and", we need to treat the subject as plural.
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A plural subject needs a plural verb.
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The answer is wash, isn't it?
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Toby and Henry wash cars for a living.
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Perfect, Billy!
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And now our final example.
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Is it is decorating or are decorating?
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Kiana or Casey are decorating the venue.
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Nope!
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If the subject consists of multiple singular nouns joined by "or", we need to treat the subject as singular.
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A singular subject takes a singular verb.
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So Kiana or Casey is decorating the venue.
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Thanks Bob!
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Now I know it's all about using a singular verb with a singular subject
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and a plural verb with a plural subject and balancing the sentences.
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That's a wrap folks!
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Visit www .tutoringhour .com for interesting worksheets, as grammar doesn't have to be boring.
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Smash the like and subscribe buttons right away, and stay tuned for more subject verb agreement rules with Bob and Billy!
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See you next time, buddies.
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Stay buzzing with knowledge!

Context & Background

In the engaging YouTube video titled "What Is Subject-Verb Agreement? | Learn the Basic Rules with Examples," Bob and Billy introduce the concept of subject-verb agreement in a lively format. As they guide viewers through various examples, they clarify how subjects and verbs must correspond in number—singular or plural—to create grammatically correct sentences. This entertaining approach not only makes learning enjoyable but also emphasizes the fundamental rules that are crucial for anyone looking to improve English pronunciation and enhance their English speaking practice.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • Amanda mows the lawn every Sunday. - An example demonstrating singular subject agreement.
  • Trevor is playing the guitar in the concert. - A sentence showcasing the necessary singular verb with a singular subject.
  • The bakers bake cakes for the party. - Here, a plural subject requires a plural verb.
  • The girls are reading. - Illustrating that a plural subject should also take a plural verb.
  • Is it "is playing" or "are playing"? - A critical question to help reinforce understanding of subject-verb agreement.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively tackle the content presented in this video and solidify your grasp of subject-verb agreement, follow these steps:

  1. Listen Carefully: Play the video and listen attentively to Bob and Billy's explanations and examples. Focus on their pronunciation and intonation.
  2. Identify Key Subjects and Verbs: As you watch, jot down the subjects and verbs they use. This will help you understand how they interact. For instance, note how "Amanda" pairs with "mows" and "the bakers" with "bake."
  3. Use a Shadowing App: Implement a shadowing app that allows you to mimic their speech. Repeat phrases like "Trevor is playing" aloud to practice rhythm and flow.
  4. Practice with Variations: Create new sentences using different subjects and verbs. For example, practice altering "Amanda mows" to "The boys mow." This reinforces the subject-verb agreement rule.
  5. Engage in Conversations: Utilize the phrases you learned in daily discussions or practice them while chatting with friends. Engaging in IELTS speaking practice sessions can also be very beneficial in enhancing your command of subject-verb agreement.

By repeatedly practicing these methods, not only will you learn English with YouTube, but you'll also gain confidence in your speaking skills and ability to construct grammatically correct sentences.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →