Subject-verb agreement rules are essential in the English language because they ensure clarity and coherence in communication. When writing, it is crucial to keep in mind that the subject and the verb must match in number. That is, a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. In this article, we will cover some of the common rules of subject-verb agreement.
1. Singular subjects require singular verbs
When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular. For example:
– The dog barks at the mailman.
– My sister plays the piano every day.
– The baby cries when he is hungry.
In each of these examples, the subject is singular (dog, sister, baby), and the verb is also singular (barks, plays, cries). It`s important to note that even when the subject is a compound noun or pronoun, the verb must still be singular.
– Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.
– My mother and father are coming to visit me.
2. Plural subjects require plural verbs
When the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb must also be plural. For example:
– The boys play soccer every Saturday.
– The students in my class are intelligent.
– Hannah and her friends sing karaoke every Friday.
In each of these examples, the subject is plural (boys, students, Hannah and her friends), and the verb is also plural (play, are, sing).
3. Indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural
Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that do not refer to a specific person, place, or thing. Words like anyone, everyone, someone, no one, and everybody fall under this category. When an indefinite pronoun is the subject of a sentence, the verb that follows it must agree with the number of the pronoun.
– Everyone is excited about the new restaurant.
– Somebody left their phone on the table.
– None of the cookies were eaten.
In the first example, everyone is singular, so the verb is also singular (is excited). In the second example, somebody is singular, but the pronoun their is plural, which creates a grammatical error. To correct it, we can replace their with his or her. In the third example, none is singular, but because it refers to more than one cookie, the verb is plural.
4. Collective nouns can be singular or plural
Collective nouns are nouns that refer to a group of people or things as a singular entity. Words like team, family, group, and class are examples of collective nouns. When a collective noun is the subject of a sentence, the verb can be either singular or plural, depending on the context.
– The team is practicing for the championship.
– The family are discussing their vacation plans.
– The class is studying for the final exam.
In the first example, team is singular, so the verb is also singular (is practicing). In the second example, family is singular, but the context suggests that the family members are having a discussion, which makes the verb plural. In the third example, class is singular, so the verb is also singular (is studying).
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of writing that should not be overlooked. By following these rules, you can ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand. Always remember that the subject and the verb should match in number and that indefinite pronouns and collective nouns can be singular or plural, depending on the context. Happy writing!