Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of proper grammar in the English language. It refers to the agreement between the subject and verb in a sentence in terms of their number and person. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
In simple terms, subject-verb agreement means that the verb must match the subject in terms of whether it is singular or plural. However, identifying which sentences have subject-verb agreement can be tricky at times. In this article, we’ll explore the rules for subject-verb agreement and provide examples to help you identify it in your writing.
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs
When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular. For example:
– The cat is sleeping on the couch.
– The student studies hard every day.
– The dog barks loudly at night.
In the examples above, the subjects are singular, and the verbs also agree in number.
2. Plural subjects take plural verbs
When the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb must also be plural. For example:
– The cats are sleeping on the couch.
– The students study hard every day.
– The dogs bark loudly at night.
In the examples above, the subjects are plural, and the verbs also agree in number.
3. Singular subjects with plural modifiers take singular verbs
When a singular subject is modified by a phrase that contains a plural noun, the verb must still be singular. For example:
– The stack of papers on the desk needs to be organized.
– The group of friends is planning a trip.
In the examples above, even though the modifiers are plural, the subjects are singular, and the verbs agree in number.
4. Collective nouns can be singular or plural
A collective noun refers to a group of people or things. It can be singular or plural depending on the context. For example:
– The team is practicing for the game. (singular)
– The team are arguing about their strategy. (plural)
In the second example, the collective noun is plural because it refers to a group of individuals acting separately.
5. Indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural
Indefinite pronouns like everyone, somebody, and nobody can be singular or plural depending on the context. For example:
– Everyone is responsible for their own actions. (singular)
– Somebody left their jacket in the classroom. (plural)
In the second example, the indefinite pronoun is treated as plural because it refers to an unknown number of individuals.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is essential for effective communication in writing. By following the rules outlined above, you can ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand. Remember to always check your writing for subject-verb agreement to avoid any confusion or ambiguity.