Correct Grammar Usage: ‘It Gives Me Chills’ or ‘It Give Me Chills’?

The correct form of the sentence involving ensuring agreement between the subject and the verb is: "it gives me chills". This ensures grammatical correctness. The singular subject "it" requires the third-person singular form of the verb "gives".

A Look at Singular vs Plural Verbs

Proper grammar demands that verbs agree in number with their subjects. In the sentence "it gives me chills," "it" is a singular subject, so the verb "gives" must also be in its singular form.

Should you encounter a similar sentence with a plural subject, the verb would change accordingly – for example, "they give me chills."

Subject-Verb Agreement in Complex Phrases

Even when subjects are embedded in longer phrases, the main subject often remains the singular form. Consider the following example to better understand:

Example:

The distribution center, which has vital functions, supplies products to several stores.

In this example, "The distribution center" is the subject of the sentence, and "supplies" is the correct verb form for a singular subject.

A Special Case: Describing a Person With a Title

Once a person has assumed a title, their former occupation no longer directly influences the form of the verb. For instance, in the sentence provided:

The man who is now Municipal Commissioner worked as a security guard at a university.

Here, the subject is "The man," and his current title (Municipal Commissioner) does not affect the verb choice. The verb "worked" agrees with the singular subject "The man."

Additional Guidelines for Definite Articles

The general rule is that no article (a, an, the) is necessary when referring to a general concept or an unknown entity. Examples include:

No article before school, uni, or company unless specifying a particular one. E.g., “I attended a university.” or “I attended the University of California.”

According to American English conventions, "B" is the preferred option for these sentences. However, in British and possibly Indian English, "A" may also be acceptable.

Common Exceptions and Cultural Variations

It's important to note that language is not always rigidly rule-bound, especially when it comes to cultural preferences. Although British English generally avoids the definite article before terms like "school," "university," or "college," there can be exceptions based on the context or informality of the conversation.

For instance, in formal or academic writing, using "the" before these terms can be more appropriate to specify a particular institution:

The University of Oxford is renowned for its long history and prestigious reputation.

When discussing the individual as a past occupation, the use of "a" is more appropriate, as shown in the sentence:

The man who is now Municipal Commissioner worked as a security guard at a university.

In this scenario, "a" implies any 'university' and not a specific one, giving flexibility to the sentence.

Conclusion

Grammatical correctness is crucial for clear communication. Ensuring that your subjects and verbs agree and using the correct article where necessary can make a significant difference in the readability and professionalism of your writing.

Whether you're considering 'it gives me chills' or a more complex sentence structure, always ensure agreement between the subject and the verb. Utilize 'a' or 'the' correctly to provide clarity about the specific entity being referred to.