Correct Option: A
Explanation of Why Option A is Correct:
In the context of the dialogue between Ade and Jide in Chapter 6 of "The Lekki Headmaster," the correct usage of "comes" versus "come" is illustrated through their respective statements about arrival and schedules.
- Understanding "comes" and "come":
- "Comes" is the third-person singular form of the verb "to come." It is used when the subject is singular (he, she, it).
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"Come" is the base form of the verb and is used with plural subjects (we, you, they) or with the first-person singular (I).
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Ade's Usage:
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When Ade refers to his arrival, he correctly uses "come" because he is speaking about himself (first-person singular). For example, he might say, "I will come to the event," which is grammatically correct.
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Jide's Usage:
- Jide, on the other hand, discusses the train's schedule, which is a singular subject. He correctly uses "comes" in a sentence like, "The train comes at 5 PM." Here, "the train" is a singular noun, so "comes" is the appropriate form.
This distinction in their dialogue effectively demonstrates the correct grammatical usage of "comes" and "come," making Option A the right choice.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect:
- Option B: "Both Ade and Jide use 'comes' incorrectly when talking about their plans for the weekend."
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This option is incorrect because it suggests that both characters misuse the verb forms. However, as explained, Ade uses "come" correctly for his singular actions, and Jide uses "comes" correctly for the train's schedule.
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Option C: "Jide uses 'come' when discussing a group event, while Ade uses 'comes' to refer to his individual plans."
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This option is misleading. Jide should use "comes" when referring to a singular subject (like the train), and Ade should use "come" for his individual plans. This option misrepresents their dialogue.
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Option D: "Ade uses 'comes' for his singular actions, while Jide uses 'come' for plural subjects in their conversation."
- This option is incorrect because it reverses the correct usage. Ade should use "come" for his singular actions, and Jide should use "comes" for singular subjects. This misinterpretation of their dialogue makes this option wrong.
Summary of Key Points for Revision:
- "Comes" is used for singular subjects (he, she, it), while "come" is used for plural subjects (we, you, they) and the first-person singular (I).
- Ade correctly uses "come" when referring to his own arrival.
- Jide correctly uses "comes" when discussing the train's schedule, which is a singular subject.
- Understanding the subject-verb agreement is crucial for using "comes" and "come" correctly in dialogue.