Subject-verb agreement

Definition

Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must match the verb in number and person. This means that singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. Proper subject-verb agreement is crucial for clarity and coherence in writing, especially in news writing, where precision is vital for conveying accurate information.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In English, a singular subject like 'the cat' takes a singular verb such as 'runs', while a plural subject like 'the cats' requires a plural verb like 'run'.
2. When using compound subjects connected by 'and', the verb must be plural, as in 'The dog and cat are playing together.'
3. When subjects are connected by 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with the nearest subject; for example, 'Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.'
4. Collective nouns like 'team' or 'group' can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group acts as one unit or as individuals.
5. Errors in subject-verb agreement can confuse readers and undermine the credibility of news articles, making careful editing essential.

Review Questions

• How does subject-verb agreement enhance clarity in news writing?
  • Subject-verb agreement enhances clarity in news writing by ensuring that sentences are grammatically correct and easily understood. When subjects and verbs agree in number and person, readers can grasp the intended meaning without confusion. This is especially important in news reporting, where precision is crucial for conveying accurate information to the audience.
• What are some common errors related to subject-verb agreement that writers should be aware of?
  • Common errors in subject-verb agreement include mismatches between singular and plural forms, such as saying 'The team are winning' instead of 'The team is winning'. Writers often overlook compound subjects or fail to account for collective nouns. Awareness of these pitfalls helps writers maintain grammatical integrity in their work, thereby improving overall readability.
• Evaluate the impact of incorrect subject-verb agreement on the perceived professionalism of news articles.
  • Incorrect subject-verb agreement can significantly impact the perceived professionalism of news articles by creating an impression of carelessness or lack of attention to detail. Readers may question the credibility of the information presented if they encounter grammatical errors, potentially leading to distrust in the publication. Furthermore, consistent adherence to subject-verb agreement reinforces the authority of a news source, fostering reader confidence and engagement.

Related terms

Subject: The noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb in a sentence.

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

Agreement: The grammatical conformity between words in a sentence, ensuring that elements such as subjects and verbs correspond in number and person.