Highlander Rules

There can be only one subject form in a verb phrase, but how do you explain that essential bit of grammar to students? Here's a suggestion: use the Highlander tagline.

There can be only one! is the tagline from the 1986 film Highlander. Flash synopsis: immortals fight each other in single combat through the ages, and the last one standing at the end of time wins the prize – whatever that is.

Why drag the immortal Highlander into English language class? Because he offers a striking illustration to a rule: there can be only one! 

Explain the why

Students couldn't care less about abstract grammar dictating what to do. Rules alone don't promote understanding. But how about showing them why the language behaves in a certain way?

If there are two tasks and you're alone, you'll have to do everything yourself. If there's someone to help you, delegating one of the tasks is more efficient. The same happens in sentences, so English doesn't allow *He doesn't goes or *She didn't went. 

A matter of efficiency

In sentences, verbs perform the duties of showing the subject form and the main verb. If there's only one verb, it does so alone. As soon as there are two, they divide those tasks between them. It's all a matter of efficiency, simple as that.

You may find examples of double subject forms - on Netflix, for instance - but that doesn't make it official. Sometimes, it shows a regional or social dialect. Usually, it's just plain nonsense. As a rule, there can be only one!

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