Grammar and Punctuation with Jane

[gillettchambers]

Hi Jane using your rule from this video, would the correct verb be "suggests" or "suggest" in the statement below?

"Some of the evidence suggests/suggest that american cotton came from Africa".

[janestraus]

@gillettchambers Some nouns can be singular or plural depending on how they are used. Our lesson says with words such as "some" that indicate portions, look at the noun in your of phrase to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. In this case, that noun is "evidence." Evidence may be multiple things, a single thing, or a collective whole. Since the word evidence here consists of that which is supporting and nonsupporting, it is plural: " . . . evidence suggest . . ."

[messyjulian]

Awesome! 

[janestraus]

Good for you!

(Lester Kaufman, Jane's husband on behalf of Jane)

[PrincessHeart1997]

Thanks ever so much! Your a savior! Im gonna get a B i'm determined!

[angusthethird]

Too bad Jane's no longer here. RIP Jane.

[hussein335]

@angusthethird how do you know? how did she die?

[janestraus]

I'm so glad that subject-verb agreement makes more sense to you now!

[stillstanding08]

OMG this helped me soo much. I tutor english but have the hardest time with subject-verb agreement. The cleared up alot.

[maisielee100]

This is the very best I have seen so far. It is how you tell it , for one to understand it.

Love it!

[janestraus]

Thank you!

[janestraus]

...each of them implies

"Implies" is singular (goes with "he") and is needed to agree with "each," which is the subject. However, the sentence itself is poorly written and not understandable.

[hanikonquar]

This is driving me crazy - is this sentence correct: The blue and red dots are complementary about what each of them imply. (or should it be implies?)

[CelebEver]

thank you so much...this would really help a lot!!!!

[janestraus]

Thank you very much.

[orangetree1990]

Thank you for helping me, you're an excellent teacher.

[janestraus]

You pay me the highest compliment by writing that I make grammar and punctuation interesting. Thank you!

[FogartyLl]

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou. You make grammar understandable and dare I say interesting. But don't tell anyone (or should that be anybody,? that'll be another lesson), or I'll have to deny it.

[beckyatkins]

This video is wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to make it.

[janestraus]

You are very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to write.

[actorchild1040]

this really helped but insted of the subject not coming before of it just can't be in a prepositional phrase. thanks

[janestraus]

I'm not sure I understand your question. However, you are right that a subject cannot be within a prepositional phrase. Generally, the subject WILL come before the phrase.

[01cabu]

Your book is really good. It is helping me lot. I appreciate your genuine work

[janestraus]

Thank you for your lovely acknowledgment and for taking the time to write.

[janestraus]

I am so glad to know that my teaching method works for you. I hope you enjoy The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. Thanks for writing.

[Veo77]

I am going to purchase your Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation on Amazon because I like your teaching method. Thanks!

[janestraus]

My pleasure!

[ChynaWWFan]

thank you

[janeruthstraus]

You're very welcome!

[shugamuffin6]

thank u so much...we dont learn much grammar in school....thank u so much!!!! and i got the bok!!!!so awesome!

[janeruthstraus]

Thanks!

[rkslperez]

great video, Love the tips... keep them coming!

[swaingles]

You can learn a lot from the Grammar Series by Michael Vince, Heinemann, especially from Advanced Language Practice

[janeruthstraus]

You can find The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation at many bookstores or on Amazon. You can also order it from your local bookstore if it's not on the shelf.

Let me know how you do on your ACT test!

[DESIpowerrr]

Wow, I'm taking the ACT soon, and this was sooooo helpful. My teachers have sucked at teaching this stuff. You were so good though! I want to buy your book. :)

Where can I find it? Is it at bookstores?

[genieb193]

My teacher does a horrible job teaching me grammar, so thanks for the helpful information!

[janeruthstraus]

With two sentences connected by conjunctions like "and, but, or, for, nor," use a comma before these words unless the sentences are very short.

[lalaith2011]

Dear Jane

Thank you very much.Could you please talk

about compound sentences with coodinators such as yet,nor ,for.

[blueangeljaney]

heLo...thanks for you site about the subject verb agreement...it helped me a lot!! and also, we hav the same name...^^godbLess!

[janeruthstraus]

I'm so glad. Thanks for writing.

[janeruthstraus]

"A flock of geese" is the complete subject but knowing that "flock" is the simple subject will help you choose the correct verb.

Regarding "Wasting time on Youtube isn't the best use of your time": The entire phrase, which begins with a telltale "ing" word, "Wasting time on Youtube" acts as the subject of the sentence. This is different from "a flock of geese."

Also, use a period at the end of your second example: "Wasting time on Youtube isn't the best use of your time."

[liuzhou]

"use a period at the end of your second example"

Yes. The question mark was a typo.

[liuzhou]

In your example "A flock of geese flew overhead", you claim that the subject is flock.

No it isn't. The subject is the noun phrase "A flock of geese". Why do you think a subject should be one word?

What is the subject of this sentence? "Wasting time on Youtube isn't the best use of your time?"

[DESIpowerrr]

liuzhou:

Uhh...flock is correct, this video was right.

And if going on YouTube is a waste of time, why are YOU on YouTube wasting your time? Just to inform us that we are?

Listen up, she's really good at grammar. You need to go get a PILE of books. That PILE of books IS going to help you.

[liuzhou]

No it isn't. Even she agrees! See the comment below.

"A flock of geese" is the complete subject"

Thank you. I have many books. I've even written some.

[moonflower0924]

Dont act like you know everything if you're going to make mistakes.

""Wasting time on Youtube isn't the best use of your time?"" How rude.

[kamleshrao]

great job explaining this topic...Please keep up the good work.

[janeruthstraus]

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.

Jane

[zepa63]

Great video!!! :D

[janeruthstraus]

Thanks for commenting.

[lpk1223]

This video was very helpful! I bought the new edition of the book, which is great. It's so easy to find the answer to every question I have about grammar and punctuation.

[janeruthstraus]

I appreciate your taking the time to comment. I hope you enjoy The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation.

[mercu81]

Ma Pani apetyczny wygląd. Mam ochotę dotknąć Pani uda, piersi i possać sutki.

Pozdrawiam

[Virgi0611]

Thanks... I like this introduction

[janeruthstraus]

I'm glad. Thanks for writing.

[exploreryen]

The list of items IS on the desk. Now I got the point.

[janeruthstraus]

Great!

[htshoward]

I love your book and your website, Jane. Hope you keep up the great work. I had no clue you were posting vids here, but I will continue to watch. Thanks for your work!

[janeruthstraus]

Thank you for the lovely acknowledgment and encouragement.

[grimsdick]

Great video Jane. Keep it up. From a fellow uploader of ESL videos.

[janeruthstraus]

Thank you for the cheerleading.

[kinajrt]

why dont you guys look at jennifer esl its really great

[OOGLEYMOOGLEY]

It's amazing how much you can learn in such little time when the right person is teaching it.

[janeruthstraus]

Thank you for the lovely acknowledgment.

[halexa28]

Thanks you. You explain grammar so simple. I hope you continue do it.

[janeruthstraus]

I now have 68 one-minute videos on English usage posted for you.

[moomoo9495]

BORING

[oishiiiii]

good vid!

[janeruthstraus]

Thank you!

[SouthernRebeler]

They taught us rightly fine grammar back in the day, lessen we got our butts whoomped.

[janeruthstraus]

It shows. :)

[zoek28]

This might be the best grammar help ever! I hope you make more soon. I think I'll go buy the book.

[janeruthstraus]

Great!

[kathisanchez]

took me forever to watch this but it was so helpful. Thanks

[janeruthstraus]

You're welcome!

[KenKY4]

Typo: course should be cause. My error.

[KenKY4]

This book should be in every Comprehensive school in Britain; the state of grammar and punctuation in these schools is nonexistent. One point, a collective noun which has a plural form: teams and team can course confusion if a plural verb is used with team. I think a plural verb with teams and singular verb with team and no deviation.

[janeruthstraus]

I agree that collective nouns like "team" can cause confusion. Unfortunately, we can't change the rule to avoid this confusion. :)

[reasonablename]

This helped me so much! I have the book, and I look in it for every question I have about the English language. I recommend it to everyone.

[janeruthstraus]

Thank you! I'm happy to know that my Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation is helpful.

[janeruthstraus]

Thanks for taking the time to write and for your nice acknowledgment.