Subject-verb agreement is an essential part of writing and speaking English correctly. It refers to the grammatical rule that the verb must agree with the subject in terms of number, person, and tense. Subject-verb agreement is fundamental to clear communication, as errors in this type can cause confusion and misunderstandings. In this article, we will provide comprehensive notes on subject-verb agreement to help you improve your writing skills.
1. Understanding the Concept
Subject-Verb agreement means that the subject and the verb in a sentence should match each other in terms of tense and number. In simple terms, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. Similarly, if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well. For example, „He plays the guitar” is correct because the subject is singular, and the verb is also singular.
2. Singular and Plural Subject-Verb Agreement
When the subject is singular, the verb should be singular too. For instance, „The dog barks.” However, when the subject is plural, the verb should be plural too. For example, „The dogs bark.”
3. Special Case with „They”
The word „they” is often used as a singular pronoun, especially in cases when the gender is not specified. In such instances, it is important to use the plural verb form, as in „They are going to the beach.”
4. Compound Subjects
When two or more subjects are joined by „and,” the verb should be plural. For example, „John and Jane are going to the movies.” However, when the subjects are joined by „or,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For instance, „Either John or Jane is going to the movies.”
5. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, or things, and they can be singular or plural depending on the context of the sentence. For example, „The team is practicing” is correct because „team” is a collective noun and is treated as a singular entity. Similarly, „The team members are practicing” is also correct because in this case, „team members” is a plural noun.
6. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to something that is not specifically defined, such as „everyone,” „anyone,” „someone,” or „nobody.” These pronouns can be singular or plural depending on the context of the sentence. For instance, „Everyone knows the answer” is correct because „everyone” is treated as a singular entity.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that helps to convey ideas clearly. Incorrect subject-verb agreement can confuse the reader and change the intended meaning of the sentence. Understanding the rules of subject-verb agreement can help to improve writing and speaking skills, and it is essential to pay attention to this critical aspect of grammar.