Subject-verb agreement

Definition

Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must match the verb in number, meaning both need to be singular or plural. This concept ensures clarity and coherence in communication by maintaining a consistent relationship between subjects and verbs within sentences. Mastering subject-verb agreement is crucial for effective writing, as it prevents confusion and enhances the readability of text.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. When the subject is a collective noun (e.g., team, group), it is treated as singular when acting as a single unit but plural when emphasizing individual members.
2. In cases where the subject is separated from the verb by phrases or clauses, the agreement still depends on the main subject, not on intervening words.
3. Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, each) are always considered singular and require a singular verb.
4. Compound subjects connected by 'and' typically take a plural verb, while those connected by 'or' or 'nor' take the verb form that agrees with the nearest subject.
5. Subject-verb agreement can become complex with phrases like 'a number of' (plural) versus 'the number of' (singular), which impacts verb choice.

Review Questions

• How does subject-verb agreement apply to collective nouns in sentences?
  • Subject-verb agreement with collective nouns depends on whether the noun is acting as a single unit or referring to individuals within the group. When a collective noun like 'team' functions as one entity, it takes a singular verb. However, if the focus is on individual members of that group, it should be treated as plural and thus requires a plural verb. Understanding this nuance is essential for proper subject-verb alignment.
• In what ways can intervening phrases affect subject-verb agreement in complex sentences?
  • Intervening phrases can create confusion regarding subject-verb agreement because they might seem to shift the focus of the sentence. However, it is crucial to remember that the verb must still agree with the main subject rather than the words in between. For instance, in 'The bouquet of flowers smells lovely,' even though 'flowers' is plural, 'bouquet' is the main subject and singular, so the verb 'smells' remains singular.
• Evaluate how mastering subject-verb agreement contributes to effective writing and communication.
  • Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective writing because it enhances readability and reduces misunderstandings. When writers correctly align subjects with their verbs, they help readers easily follow their ideas without confusion caused by grammatical errors. Furthermore, strong command over this rule reflects professionalism and attention to detail in communication, which can significantly impact how messages are perceived in both academic and professional settings.

Related terms

Subject: The part of a sentence that indicates who or what the sentence is about, usually a noun or pronoun.

Verb: A word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being in a sentence.

Agreement: A grammatical rule that requires different parts of a sentence to be in harmony, including number, gender, and person.