RESOURCES: Booklet for Grade Twelve Easter Programme -2020, Grade 12 Language Exercises – Annexures A &B

LESSON THEME: Concord

Definition

The agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence, and the agreement between the pronoun and the noun it replaces. 

Remember, the subject, by definition, is the person or thing performing the action, and the verb is the action.  If there is more than one subject, then the verb has to be plural in form.  If there is a single subject, then the matching verb must take the singular form. Refer to the attached file for more details.

You will find examples of singular and plural subjects.

When you are asked to correct errors of concord, you have to ensure that there is agreement between the subject and the verb in a given sentence. 

Remember that the meaning or main idea in the sentence should never be altered.

A question on concord will often appear in the editing section of the Language Paper or test. You will also have to draw on your knowledge of noun classes and pronouns, to determine if the subject is in singular or plural form. Revisit the noun classes in Annexure B.

Let’s check those answers for A1 to A3, in Annexure A!

A1. The herd of elephants is very frightening.

“Herd” is a collective noun.

A2. I do not like those kinds of cakes.

“Those” is a plural pronoun and there are many cakes.

A3. I think that parcel is meant for Vuyo and me.

When to use “I” and “me”

Use the pronoun "I" when the person speaking is doing the action, either alone or with someone else. Use the pronoun "me" when the person speaking is receiving the action of the verb in some way, either directly or indirectly.

Can you give that to Sally and me? – In this question the pronoun “me” is for a speaker who is receiving the action/ who becomes the object. It is easy to work this out if you remove Sally.

Sally and I gave the book to Thando. – In this statement, the subject “I” is performing the action.

To enhance your understanding, watch Emma Bryce’s You Tube video – When to use “me”, “myself” and “I”, or visit the following site: Grammar.yourdictionary.com.

Exercise

Answer questions A4 to A10, from Annexure A, in your notebooks. 

KR