Subject-verb agreement is one of the fundamental concepts of grammar that every writer should know. The rule is simple: the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. However, this rule is often overlooked, resulting in confusing and incorrect sentences.
In this article, we will provide an explanation of subject-verb agreement and offer some tips to help you avoid common mistakes.
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement is the term used to describe the number (singular or plural) of the subject and the verb in a sentence. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about, and the verb is the action or state of being that the subject performs or experiences. In other words, the verb shows what the subject is doing or what is happening to the subject.
For example, in the sentence “The dog barks,” the subject is “the dog,” and the verb is “barks.” Since the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular to agree in number.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Agreement with Compound Subjects
When a sentence has a compound subject (two or more subjects joined by “and”), the verb should be plural. For example, in the sentence “John and Jane are going to the store,” the subjects “John” and “Jane” are joined by “and,” making the verb “are” plural.
2. Agreement with Collective Nouns
A collective noun refers to a group of people or things. Examples of collective nouns include “team,” “family,” and “audience.” When the collective noun is considered as a whole, the verb should be singular. For example, in the sentence “The team is playing well,” the collective noun “team” is singular, so the verb “is” is singular.
However, when the members of the collective noun are acting as individuals, the verb should be plural. For example, in the sentence “The team are arguing among themselves,” the members of the team are acting as individuals, so the verb “are” is plural.
3. Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to a general or unspecific person, thing, or place. Examples of indefinite pronouns include “everyone,” “someone,” and “anything.” When used as the subject of a sentence, these pronouns are singular, so the verb should also be singular. For example, in the sentence “Everyone is welcome to join us,” the indefinite pronoun “everyone” is singular, so the verb “is” is singular.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement may seem like a minor detail, but it can make a big difference in the clarity and professionalism of your writing. By paying attention to this rule and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure that your sentences are correct and easy to read. As a professional, I can guarantee that following this rule will make a significant impact on your writing.