3.1 The concord

English home language

Grade 8

Towns and tourism

Module 13

The concord

Activity 1:

The concord

[lo 6.2]

The agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence is called CONCORD ,

i.e. a singular subject is followed by a singular verb, and a plural subject is followed by a plural verb.

This rule should really be learnt as poor concord is a very common error.

Example:

The boy is ill.

Singular subject(one)

Singular verb used to agree with a singular subject

The boys are ill.

Plural subject(many)

Plural verb used with a plural subject

The next thing to remember is that he - is a singular pronoun and they - is a plura l pronoun.

SO, if you want to test whether a verb is singular or plural just use he or they .

Therefore plays is a singular verb because you can say, he plays and sing is a plural verb because you can say, they sing . See?

• Now test your skills and see how well you do . . .

• Underline the correct form of the following verbs (remembering the above rule!):

• The itinerary (is/are) interesting.
• Tom and his sister (has/have) arrived in London.
• He and his sister (go/goes) shopping there.
• They (is/are) unhappy about the crowds so they take a break.
• Chocolate milk (is/are) their favourite drink.
• The dog (bite/bites) the postman.
• We (is/are) going on holiday.
• The children (play/plays) in the park.
• Holidays (is/are) happy times.
• Fruit (is/are) good for your health.

TIP : Now, study some more rules of CONCORD, always think carefully and you will make fewer errors!

• Now try these more difficult examples, by giving the correct form of the verb.

My team (to have) just won the game.

The news (to be) not good.

One of the learners (to have) broken a leg.

Three of them (to have) been taken to hospital.

Everyone (to want) to know what happened.

Nobody (to like) to lose.

Mathematics (to be) taught at school.

The people (to be) very angry.

Each of the boys (to tell) a different story.

My new jeans (to be) in the wash.

• See how well you did by marking your own work: Your educator will help you.

Activity 2:

To listen actively and carefully for specific information and main ideas and to respond appropriately

[lo 1.2]

• We need to test how well you listen! Are you able to pick up details by listening?

First, read through the questions below.

Now, listen carefully while your educator reads a passage to you.

Only then answer the following questions.

This activity will test your memory and your concentration.

1. Which people first named the Knysna River?

2. Give one translation of the term Knysna .

3. Name three types of sea-life found in the Knysna lagoon.

4. What are the sandstone cliffs which guard the harbour known as?

5. Name two authors linked to Knysna.

6. Supply the missing words:

Craft shops sell mainly _________ and curios made from local __________.

Assessment

Learning outcomes(LOs)

LO 1

Listening

The Learner will be able to listen for enjoyment, and respond appropriately and critically in a wide range of situations