Clarifying Subject-Verb Agreement in English: The Correct Use of 'Teach' vs 'Teaches'

When crafting sentences in the English language, proper subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of clear and correct grammar. This article aims to elucidate the common confusion that arises with the verb 'teach' in sentences like 'He is one of the teachers who... in our school.' We'll address the correct form of the verb and explore how to maintain grammatical accuracy in this context.

The Correct Form in the Sentence

The sentence 'He is one of the teachers that... in our school' requires a careful application of subject-verb agreement rules. The key element here is understanding the subject of the verb, which dictates how the verb form should be used. Let's break this down:

The Subject and Verb Agreement

In the sentence, the subject 'He' is singular. When dealing with singular subjects, the verb must be in its third-person singular form. The third-person singular form of the infinitive 'to teach' is 'teaches.' Therefore, the correct form to use in this sentence is 'teaches.' This is because 'He' is the singular subject executing the action of teaching.

To illustrate further, consider the following sentences:

I teach - I is singular, hence the verb is 'teach'

He she or it teaches - He, she or it is singular, so the verb is 'teaches'

They teach - They is plural, so the verb is 'teach'

Why Use 'Who' Instead of 'That'

It's also important to note that in this sentence, the relative pronoun used is 'who,' not 'that.' 'Who' is used to refer to a person, whereas 'that' is used to refer to non-person objects. In the sentence in question, we are referring to a person who is a teacher, hence 'who.'

Removing the Clause for Clarity

To further clarify, let's remove the clause 'of the teachers' from the sentence. This simplifies the clause to read: 'He is one who teaches.' This sentence is correct because the subject 'one' is singular and therefore the verb 'teaches' is appropriate. The full sentence would read as: 'He is one of the teachers who teaches in our school.'

Another way to ensure subject-verb agreement is to remove the clause:

Removed Clause: 'He is one who.'

So, ask oneself: 'Would one say 'He is one who teach' or 'He is one who teaches'? The answer is clear, as 'teaches' is the correct form.

Why 'teaches' Is Needed

Some might argue that using the plural 'teach' sounds more natural. However, in formal and written English, it is crucial to follow grammatical rules to ensure clarity and correctness. Using 'teach' instead of 'teaches' would make the sentence incorrect because it would not maintain subject-verb agreement. Regular verb conjugation in English, in particular with the verb 'teach,' is sometimes counterintuitive, but it is essential to remember that when there is a singular subject, the verb form usually ends in 's' or 'es.'

For example:

He practices - He is singular, so the verb is 'practices'

She listens - She is singular, so the verb is 'listens'

It teaches - It is singular, so the verb is 'teaches'

Summary and Tips for Correct Grammar

Here's a brief summary and a few tips to help maintain correct subject-verb agreement:

Determine the subject of the sentence.

Find out if the subject is singular or plural.

Choose the appropriate verb form (singular in this case: 'teaches').

Remember that 'who' is used for human subjects, while 'that' is used for non-human subjects.

By following these guidelines, you can avoid common grammatical errors and ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand.

Mastering grammatical rules like subject-verb agreement helps in communicating effectively in both written and spoken English. Whether you are a student, a professional, or an enthusiast of the English language, understanding these nuances will enhance your writing and speaking skills.