Understanding Grammatical Number and Pronoun Agreement

Khan Academy

This video provides a clear and engaging introduction to the concept of grammatical number in English, specifically focusing on the distinction between singular (one) and plural (more than one). The narrator uses handwritten text and simple drawings to visualize how nouns and pronouns must agree in number, explaining that "singular" refers to one thing while "plural" refers to multiple things. The video highlights how this concept is encoded into the language, particularly within pronouns like "me" versus "us." Key themes include pronoun-antecedent agreement, the importance of consistency in writing to avoid confusion, and specific exceptions to standard rules. The narrator uses humorous and memorable examples—such as a sci-fi cloning machine to explain the shift from "me" to "us," and a confusing scenario about sharing a single watch to illustrate agreement errors. The video also briefly touches upon "you" and "they" as flexible pronouns that can function as both singular and plural. For educators, this resource is excellent for introducing or reviewing the mechanics of pronoun usage and sentence structure. It moves beyond rote memorization by providing context for *why* grammar rules exist: to prevent ambiguity. Teachers can use the video's specific examples, like the "cantaloupe" test at the end, to help students identify antecedents and ensure their own writing maintains logical consistency between subjects and pronouns.