Subject-verb agreement

Definition

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that ensures the subject of a sentence and its verb agree in number, meaning both must be singular or both must be plural. This concept is crucial for clarity and correctness in writing, as mismatches can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Proper subject-verb agreement helps maintain the flow and coherence of sentences, making communication effective and professional.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. When the subject is a collective noun, such as 'team' or 'group', it can take either a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group acts as a single unit or as individual members.
2. When using indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' or 'nobody', these are always considered singular and take singular verbs.
3. The presence of phrases like 'along with' or 'as well as' does not change the number of the subject; the verb must still agree with the main subject.
4. In sentences where the subject comes after the verb, such as questions or sentences beginning with 'there is/are', it's important to identify the true subject for correct agreement.
5. Errors in subject-verb agreement often occur with words that are not immediately adjacent to the verb, requiring careful proofreading to ensure accuracy.

Review Questions

• How can collective nouns affect subject-verb agreement in a sentence?
  • Collective nouns represent a group acting as one unit, so they can take either singular or plural verbs depending on context. For example, 'The team wins' suggests the team acts together as one, using a singular verb. However, if individual actions are emphasized, like 'The team are arguing among themselves,' a plural verb is used. Understanding this flexibility is key to maintaining proper agreement.
• Why is it important to recognize phrases like 'along with' when determining subject-verb agreement?
  • Phrases like 'along with' do not alter the number of the main subject; they are additional information that should be set aside when assessing agreement. For instance, in 'The dog, along with its puppies, is playing,' the focus remains on the singular subject 'dog.' Correctly identifying the main subject ensures that the verb aligns properly and maintains grammatical integrity.
• Evaluate common mistakes writers make regarding subject-verb agreement and propose strategies for avoiding these errors.
  • Common mistakes include misidentifying collective nouns as plural or failing to account for intervening phrases. Writers often confuse subjects that come after verbs in questions too. To avoid these pitfalls, it’s helpful to practice identifying the main subject first and then choose the appropriate verb form. Regular proofreading and reading sentences aloud can also help catch errors that may be overlooked during writing.

Related terms

Singular: Refers to one person, place, thing, or idea; in subject-verb agreement, a singular subject takes a singular verb.

Plural: Refers to two or more people, places, things, or ideas; in subject-verb agreement, a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Compound Subject: A subject that consists of two or more individual subjects joined by a conjunction; it usually requires a plural verb.