Subject-verb agreement

Definition

Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that requires the subject of a sentence to match its verb in number, meaning both must be singular or both must be plural. This rule ensures clarity and coherence in writing by maintaining consistency between subjects and verbs, which is essential for effective communication. A correct subject-verb agreement makes sentences easier to read and understand.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In English, a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb, such as 'She runs' vs. 'They run.'
2. When a compound subject is connected by 'and,' it usually takes a plural verb, but when connected by 'or' or 'nor,' the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
3. Collective nouns like 'team' or 'group' can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.
4. Indefinite pronouns such as 'everyone' or 'someone' are always treated as singular and take singular verbs.
5. Subject-verb agreement can be tricky with certain phrases or clauses that may separate the subject from the verb, requiring careful attention to ensure accuracy.

Review Questions

• How does understanding subject-verb agreement enhance clarity in writing?
  • Understanding subject-verb agreement is crucial for achieving clarity in writing because it ensures that sentences are grammatically correct and easy to follow. When subjects and verbs agree in number, readers can quickly grasp the intended meaning without confusion. This enhances the overall readability of the text and helps maintain professional standards in writing.
• Discuss how compound subjects affect subject-verb agreement and provide examples.
  • Compound subjects can significantly impact subject-verb agreement based on how they are connected. When subjects are joined by 'and,' they usually take a plural verb, like in 'The cat and dog are playing.' However, if they are connected by 'or' or 'nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For instance, in 'Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared,' the verb 'were' agrees with 'students,' which is plural.
• Evaluate the challenges that arise with subject-verb agreement in complex sentences and how these challenges can be addressed.
  • Complex sentences often pose challenges for subject-verb agreement due to intervening phrases or clauses that can obscure the main subject. To address these challenges, writers should carefully identify the core subject of their sentences, regardless of additional words that may distract from it. For example, in 'The bouquet of flowers was beautiful,' the phrase 'of flowers' should not lead to confusion; the main subject is still 'bouquet,' which is singular. By practicing careful reading and revision, writers can ensure proper agreement even in more intricate sentence structures.

Related terms

Singular: A grammatical term referring to one person, thing, or idea, which requires a singular verb form.

Plural: A grammatical term referring to more than one person, thing, or idea, which requires a plural verb form.

Compound Subject: A subject that consists of two or more connected nouns or pronouns, which may affect the verb form based on whether the compound subject is considered singular or plural.