Agreement in Number

Definition

Agreement in number refers to the grammatical rule that requires the subject and verb of a sentence, as well as pronouns and their antecedents, to match in singular or plural form. This concept is crucial for maintaining clarity and coherence in writing, ensuring that subjects and verbs align correctly to convey intended meanings without confusion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. When using agreement in number, a singular subject must take a singular verb, while a plural subject must take a plural verb.
2. Pronouns must match the number of their antecedents; for example, 'he' or 'she' for singular nouns and 'they' for plural nouns.
3. Collective nouns can create confusion in agreement; they can be treated as singular when referring to the group as a whole or plural when referring to individual members.
4. In complex sentences, it’s important to ensure that all parts maintain agreement in number to avoid ambiguity.
5. Errors in agreement can lead to misunderstanding; for example, saying 'The team are winning' instead of 'The team is winning' suggests individual members rather than the group as one unit.

Review Questions

• How does agreement in number contribute to sentence clarity when constructing complex sentences?
  • Agreement in number plays a key role in ensuring that subjects, verbs, and pronouns align properly in complex sentences. When all elements follow the rules of agreement, it enhances clarity and prevents misunderstandings. For instance, mismatched numbers can confuse readers about who or what is being referred to, making it difficult to follow the intended message. Maintaining consistency in number helps readers easily grasp the relationships between different parts of the sentence.
• What challenges arise with collective nouns regarding agreement in number, and how can they be effectively addressed?
  • Collective nouns often present challenges for agreement in number because they can be interpreted as either singular or plural based on context. For example, saying 'The committee decides' treats the committee as a single entity, while 'The committee are divided' emphasizes individual members. To effectively address these challenges, writers should consider the intended meaning and context before determining whether to treat the collective noun as singular or plural. Clarity can be achieved by rephrasing if necessary.
• Evaluate the importance of pronoun-antecedent agreement within the broader framework of grammatical accuracy and effective communication.
  • Pronoun-antecedent agreement is critical for grammatical accuracy and effective communication because it ensures that pronouns clearly reference their antecedents without ambiguity. This alignment helps readers understand who or what is being discussed, contributing to overall clarity in writing. Moreover, consistent adherence to this rule reflects a writer's attention to detail and command of language, which enhances credibility. Inaccurate agreement can lead to confusion or misinterpretation, ultimately undermining the effectiveness of the message being conveyed.

Related terms

Subject-Verb Agreement: The grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must agree with its verb in number, meaning both must be either singular or plural.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: The requirement that pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, gender, and person to ensure clear references in sentences.

Collective Noun: A noun that represents a group of individuals or things, which can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is being considered as a single unit or as individuals.