8. English Grammatical Rules Regarding the Usage of ‘There’, ‘It,’ Gerunds, Infinitives, etc., Essential for Competitive Exams

In this 8th article of our grammar series, we continue exploring essential English grammar rules for exams like SSC, CGL, CHSL, PSSSB, PPSC, Patwari, Excise Inspector, Labour Inspector, Senior Assistant, and more.

If you haven’t read the previous articles, scroll down for links to Articles 1-7.

Rule 36: Usage of ‘There’ in Introductory Subject Sentences

The word “there” is commonly used in English as an introductory subject in sentences. Its primary function is to indicate the existence or presence of something. Below are the key contexts and rules for using “there,” based on the explanations provided in this article:

1. To Introduce Existence (There + Be Verb):

• “There” is often used with a form of the verb “to be” (e.g., is, are, was, were ) to show that something exists or is present.
• The verb must agree with the noun or pronoun that follows it in terms of number (singular or plural) and person .

Examples:

• Singular:
  • There is a book on the table.
    • Explanation: The noun “a book” is singular, so the verb “is” is used.
• Plural:
  • There are five apples in the basket.
    • Explanation: The noun “five apples” is plural, so the verb “are” is used.

2. With Nouns Representing Single Units (Amount, Distance, Weight, etc.):

• If a plural noun refers to a single unit of measurement (e.g., distance, weight, amount), a singular verb is used after “there.”

Examples:

• There is only another two kilometers to go.
  • Explanation: “Two kilometers” represents a single unit of distance, so “is” is correct.
• There is twenty rupees to pay.
  • Explanation: “Twenty rupees” is treated as a single amount, so “is” is correct.

3. Pairs of Words Referring to One Thing:

When two items are mentioned but treated as a single entity (e.g., “rice and curry,” “bread and butter”), a singular verb should be used after “there.”

• Correct: There is rice and curry for dinner.
• Incorrect: There are rice and curry for dinner.
• Correct: There is bread and butter for breakfast.
• Incorrect: There are bread and butter for breakfast.

4. To Indicate Location (Optional Use):

• While not covered in this article, “there” can also be used to indicate location or direction. However, this usage is different from its role as an introductory subject.
• Example:
  • The keys are over there.
    • Explanation: Here, “there” refers to a place, not an introductory subject.

Rule 37: Usage of “It” as an Introductory Subject

The word “it” is a pronoun used to refer to a singular noun, typically an object, idea, or sometimes an unnamed or unspecified thing.

When “it” is used as an introductory subject, the verb following “it” must always be singular, regardless of the number or person of the noun or pronoun that appears later in the sentence. However, if a relative pronoun (e.g., “who,” “which,” “that”) is used in the sentence, the verb following the relative pronoun must agree with the noun or pronoun preceding it in terms of number and person.

1. To Refer to a Singular Noun (Object or Thing):

• “It” is used to replace a singular noun that has already been mentioned or is clear from the context.
• Example:
  • I bought a book yesterday. It is very interesting.
    • Explanation: “It” refers to “a book.”

2. To Refer to Animals or Inanimate Objects:

• “It” is often used for animals (when gender is unknown) or inanimate objects.
• Examples:
  • The cat is sleeping. It looks so peaceful.
  • I lost my pen. Have you seen it?

3. To Refer to Ideas, Concepts, or Situations:

• “It” can also refer to abstract ideas, concepts, or situations.
• Examples:
  • Success requires hard work. It does not come easily.
  • The weather is nice today. It makes me feel happy.

4. As an Introductory Subject (Empty “It”):

• “It” is often used as a placeholder subject when referring to time, weather, distance, or general conditions. This is called the empty “it.”
• Examples:
  • It is raining outside. (Weather)
  • It is 8 o’clock. (Time)
  • It is 5 kilometers to the station. (Distance)
  • It is important to stay healthy. (General statement)

Examples of It :

1. Singular Verb After “It”:
   • Correct: It is I who am learning English Grammar Rules.
     • Explanation: The verb after “it” is singular (“is”), and the verb after “who” agrees with “I” (first-person singular), so “am” is correct.
   • Incorrect: It am I who am learning English Grammar Rules.
     • Explanation: The verb after “it” must always be singular (“is”), not “am.”
2. Plural Subject After “Who”:
   • Correct: It is we who are contributing to the funds.
     • Explanation: The verb after “it” is singular (“is”), and the verb after “who” agrees with “we” (first-person plural), so “are” is correct.
   • Incorrect: It are we who are contributing to the funds.
     • Explanation: The verb after “it” must always be singular (“is”), not “are.”

Rule 38: Verb Agreement with Nouns in Apposition

When a noun or pronoun is followed by another noun or noun phrase in apposition (used to identify or describe the first noun), the verb must agree with the first noun or noun phrase in terms of number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).

What is a Noun in Apposition?

A noun in apposition is a noun or noun phrase that provides additional information about another noun or pronoun. It usually appears immediately after the noun it describes and is set off by commas.

For example:

• Lakshman, the brother of Rama, was brave.
  Here, “the brother of Rama” is in apposition to “Lakshman.”

Examples:

1. Singular First Noun:
   • Correct: Lakshman, the brother of Rama, was brave.
     • Explanation: The first noun, “Lakshman,” is singular, so the verb “was” agrees with it.
   • Incorrect: Lakshman, the brother of Rama, were brave.
     • Explanation: The verb “were” is plural and does not agree with the singular noun “Lakshman.”
2. Another Singular First Noun:
   • Correct: Roshni, my student, is intelligent.
     • Explanation: The first noun, “Roshni,” is singular, so the verb “is” agrees with it.
   • Incorrect: Roshni, my student, are intelligent.
     • Explanation: The verb “are” is plural and does not agree with the singular noun “Roshni.”
3. Past Tense with Singular First Noun:
   • Correct: Preet, my friend, was very clever.
     • Explanation: The first noun, “Preet,” is singular, so the verb “was” agrees with it.
   • Incorrect: Preet, my friend, were very clever.
     • Explanation: The verb “were” is plural and does not agree with the singular noun “Preet.”
4. First-Person Pronoun as First Noun:
   • Correct: I, Mr. Singh, am not dishonest.
     • Explanation: The first pronoun, “I,” is first-person singular, so the verb “am” agrees with it.
   • Incorrect: I, Mr. Singh, is not dishonest.
     • Explanation: The verb “is” is third-person singular and does not agree with the first-person singular pronoun “I.”

Key Notes:

1. Verb Agreement with the First Noun:
   • The verb must always agree with the first noun or pronoun in terms of number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).
   • The noun in apposition (the second noun or noun phrase) does not affect the verb agreement.
2. Examples with Different Persons:
   • First Person:
     • Correct: We, the members of this team, are ready.
     • Incorrect: We, the members of this team, is ready.
   • Second Person:
     • Correct: You, the leader of this group, are responsible.
     • Incorrect: You, the leader of this group, is responsible.
   • Third Person:
     • Correct: She, the captain of the ship, was courageous.
     • Incorrect: She, the captain of the ship, were courageous

Rule 39: Singular Infinitive, Gerund, and Clause as Subject

When a singular infinitive , singular gerund , or single clause is used as the subject of a sentence, it must be followed by a singular verb . This rule applies because these forms function as singular subjects in the sentence.

Definitions:

1. Infinitive:
   • An infinitive is formed using “to + base form of the verb” (e.g., to run , to eat ).
   • Example: To run is a good exercise.
2. Gerund:
   • A gerund is the “-ing” form of a verb that functions as a noun (e.g., running , eating ).
   • Example: Running is a good exercise.
3. Clause:
   • A clause consists of a subject and a predicate (S + V + O) and can act as a noun in a sentence.
   • Example: Where he goes is not known to me.

Examples:

1. Singular Infinitive as Subject:

• Correct: To run is a good exercise.
  • Explanation: The infinitive “To run” is singular, so the verb “is” agrees with it.
• Incorrect: To run are a good exercise.
  • Explanation: The verb “are” is plural and does not agree with the singular infinitive “To run.”

2. Singular Gerund as Subject:

• Correct: Running is a good exercise.
  • Explanation: The gerund “Running” is singular, so the verb “is” agrees with it.
• Incorrect: Running are a good exercise.
  • Explanation: The verb “are” is plural and does not agree with the singular gerund “Running.”

3. Single Clause as Subject:

• Correct: Where he goes is not known to me.
  • Explanation: The clause “Where he goes” acts as a singular subject, so the verb “is” agrees with it.
• Incorrect: Where he goes are not known to me.
  • Explanation: The verb “are” is plural and does not agree with the singular clause “Where he goes.”

Key Notes:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement:
   • Whether the subject is an infinitive, gerund, or clause, if it is singular, the verb must also be singular (e.g., is , was ).
2. Examples with Different Forms:
   • Infinitive:
     • Correct: To swim is beneficial for health.
     • Incorrect: To swim are beneficial for health.
   • Gerund:
     • Correct: Swimming improves cardiovascular health.
     • Incorrect: Swimming improve cardiovascular health.
   • Clause:
     • Correct: What she said makes sense.
     • Incorrect: What she said make sense.
3. Plural Subjects:
   • If the subject is plural (e.g., multiple infinitives, gerunds, or clauses), the verb must be plural.
     • Example: To run and to swim are both good exercises.
     • Example: Running and swimming are both good exercises.

Rule 40: Subject-Verb Agreement with “As Well As”

When two subjects are joined by “as well as,” the verb must agree with the first subject (the one before “as well as”) in terms of number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). The phrase “as well as” does not make the two subjects compound; instead, it emphasizes the first subject while adding supplementary information about the second.

Key Explanation:

1. Primary Subject:
   • The subject before “as well as” is the primary subject, and the verb must agree with it.
2. Secondary Subject:
   • The subject after “as well as” is secondary and does not influence the verb agreement.

Examples:

1. Singular First Subject:

• Correct: The Director, as well as the writers, has come.
  • Explanation: The first subject, “The Director,” is singular, so the verb “has” agrees with it.
• Incorrect: The Director, as well as the writers, have come.
  • Explanation: The verb “have” is plural and does not agree with the singular subject “The Director.”

2. Plural First Subject:

• Correct: The Writers, as well as the actor, are excited to work on this film.
  • Explanation: The first subject, “The Writers,” is plural, so the verb “are” agrees with it.
• Incorrect: The Writers, as well as the actor, is excited to work on this film.
  • Explanation: The verb “is” is singular and does not agree with the plural subject “The Writers.”

Additional Examples:

Singular First Subject:

1. The teacher, as well as the students, was present in the classroom.
   • Explanation: The first subject, “The teacher,” is singular, so the verb “was” agrees with it.
2. He, as well as his friends, is responsible for the project.
   • Explanation: The first subject, “He,” is singular, so the verb “is” agrees with it.

Plural First Subject:

1. The players, as well as the coach, were ready for the match.
   • Explanation: The first subject, “The players,” is plural, so the verb “were” agrees with it.
2. They, as well as their leader, are working hard to achieve success.
   • Explanation: The first subject, “They,” is plural, so the verb “are” agrees with it.

Key Notes:

1. Focus on the First Subject:
   • Always focus on the subject before “as well as” to determine the correct verb form.
   • The subject after “as well as” does not affect the verb agreement.
2. Contrast with “And”:
   • When two subjects are joined by “and,” they form a compound subject, and the verb must agree with the combined subject (usually plural).
     • Example: The Director and the writers have come. (Plural subject → plural verb “have.”)
3. Punctuation:
   • The phrase “as well as” is often set off by commas when it introduces additional information. Ensure proper punctuation for clarity.

Practice Makes Perfect: Your Turn!

To truly master the grammar rules discussed in this article (and the previous ones), it’s essential to practice them actively. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Create Your Own Sentences:
   • Use the rules explained above to construct sentences. For example:
     • Rule 39: To learn is a lifelong process.
     • Rule 40: The teacher, as well as the students, was excited about the field trip.
   • Share your sentences in the comments section to reinforce your learning.
2. Engage with Others:
   • If you see someone else’s sentence in the comments, offer constructive feedback or suggest improvements. This collaborative approach helps everyone grow.
3. Test Yourself:
   • Try identifying errors in sample sentences and correct them. For instance:
     • Incorrect: The manager, as well as his team, were late for the meeting.
     • Correct: The manager, as well as his team, was late for the meeting.

If you have not yet read the previous articles on English grammar, you can access them by proceeding further. Please click on the links below to explore Articles 1 through 7, which cover essential English grammar rules.

1. Subject-Verb Agreement: 5 Essential English Grammar Rules for PSSSB, PCS, and Punjab Police Exams and continued

2. More Mind-Blowing Grammar Rules You Must Master for PSSSB, PCS, Punjab Police & More!

3. Mastering English Grammar: Essential Rules for Competitive Exams

4. Amazing Grammar Rules to Boost Your Competitive Exam Preparation!

5.Mastering English Grammar for Competitive Exams: Key Rules

6. Interesting Grammar Rules for the PSSSB, Senior Assistant, Labour Inspector, Excise Inspector, Patwari and Punjab Police

7.Mastering English Grammar Rules: Usage of None, All, Little, A Little, The Little for PSSSB, PCS, Patwari, Excise Inspector, Senior Assistant, Labour Inspector, and Other Competitive Exams

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