Common Subject Verb Agreement Rules
Subject-verb agreement is one of the most critical components of good grammar. It refers to the harmonious relationship between a subject and a verb in a sentence. This relationship is essential because it helps the sentence make sense.
The following are some common subject-verb agreement rules that every writer should know to ensure their writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
For example:
– The cat plays with the ball.
– The cats play with the ball.
In the first sentence, the subject (cat) is singular, and the verb (plays) is also singular. In the second sentence, the subject (cats) is plural, and the verb (play) is also plural.
2. Compound subjects connected by « and » take plural verbs.
For example:
– John and Jane ride their bikes to school.
In this sentence, the subject (John and Jane) is a compound subject connected by « and, » making it plural. Therefore, the verb (ride) is also plural.
3. Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs, depending on the context.
For example:
– The team is playing well. (singular verb)
– The team are arguing amongst themselves. (plural verb)
In the first sentence, the collective noun « team » is considered a singular entity, so the verb (is playing) is also singular. However, in the second sentence, the collective noun « team » refers to a group of individuals, so the verb (are arguing) is plural.
4. Indefinite pronouns take singular verbs.
For example:
– Everyone wants to be happy.
– Someone is knocking on the door.
In both of these sentences, the indefinite pronouns (everyone and someone) are singular, so the verbs (wants and is knocking) are also singular.
5. When the subject is separated from the verb by a prepositional phrase, use the subject nearest to the verb to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb.
For example:
– The group of students is studying hard.
– The students in the back of the classroom are talking.
In the first sentence, the subject (group) is singular, so the verb (is studying) is also singular. In the second sentence, the subject (students) is plural, so the verb (are talking) is also plural.
In conclusion, mastering subject-verb agreement rules is essential for writing clear and effective sentences. These rules can be applied to any writing context and will help ensure that your writing conveys your ideas accurately and professionally.