English, a complex language, requires careful attention to grammar rules to ensure effective communication. One of the most fundamental aspects is subject-verb agreement, which dictates that the verb in a sentence must match the number (singular or plural) of the subject. This guide will delve into the intricacies of subject-verb agreement, providing clear explanations, examples, and exercises to help you master this essential grammatical concept.
What are Subjects and Verbs?
Before exploring the rules of subject-verb agreement, it’s crucial to understand the basic components of a sentence:
- Subject: The subject is the main focus of a sentence. It can be a noun, pronoun, or a group of words acting as a noun.
- Verb: The verb expresses an action, state, or occurrence involving the subject.
Examples:
- Singular subject: She writes every day.
- Plural subject: They play soccer.
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Here are some key rules to remember:
- Singular Subject: If the subject is singular (e.g., book, cat, he, she, it), the verb must also be singular.
- Example: The book is on the table.
- Plural Subject: If the subject is plural (e.g., books, cats, they), the verb must be plural.
- Example: The books are on the table.
- Compound Subjects Joined by “and”: When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” the verb is typically plural.
- Example: John and Mary are going to the party.
- Compound Subjects Joined by “or” or “nor”: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- Example: Either John or Mary is going to the party.
- Words Like “each,” “every,” “neither,” “either”: These words are considered singular, even when followed by a plural noun.
- Example: Each student has their own book.
- Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, crowd) are usually treated as singular. However, if they refer to individual members, the verb can be plural.
- Example: The team is winning. (collective noun)
- Example: The team members are celebrating. (referring to individuals)
- “There is” or “there are”: The verb agrees with the subject that follows.
- Example: There is a cat. There are dogs.
- Words Ending in “-s”: Don’t always assume a word ending in “-s” is plural. Some words, like “physics” or “news,” are singular.
- Example: Physics is a challenging subject.
- Indefinite Pronouns: Most indefinite pronouns (e.g., someone, everyone, nobody) are singular.
- Example: Everyone is happy.
- Inverted Sentences: In sentences where the verb comes before the subject (e.g., questions, inverted structures), the verb must still agree with the subject.
- Example: Are they coming?
By understanding and applying these rules, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and easy to follow. But there are some Special Cases too, let have a look:
- “Either…or” and “Neither…nor”: If the subjects connected by “either…or” or “neither…nor” are singular, use a singular verb. If they are plural, use a plural verb. If one subject is singular and the other is plural, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- Example: Either John or Mary is going.
- Example: Neither John nor Mary are going.
- Example: Either the dog or the cats are barking.
- “Not only…but also”: The same rule applies to “not only…but also.” The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- Parenthetical Expressions: Parenthetical expressions (phrases or clauses set off by commas) do not affect subject-verb agreement.
- Example: John, as well as Mary, is going.
Why to use Subject Verb Agreement Rules?
We use subject-verb agreement rules in English to ensure that our writing is grammatically correct and easy to understand.
When the subject and verb of a sentence agree in number (singular or plural), it helps to maintain clarity and coherence. This makes our writing more readable and professional.
Here are some specific reasons why subject-verb agreement is important:
- Clarity: Correct subject-verb agreement helps readers understand the intended meaning of a sentence. For example, “The cat eats the food” is clear, while “The cat eat the food” is confusing.
- Professionalism: Grammatical errors, including incorrect subject-verb agreement, can make a writer appear less professional and competent.
- Standard English: Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule of standard English grammar. Adhering to this rule helps us communicate effectively with others who also follow these conventions.
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding, try these practice exercises:
- Identify the subject and verb in each sentence.
- Correct any errors in subject-verb agreement.
Conclusion
Mastering subject-verb agreement is a crucial step toward becoming a proficient English speaker and writer. By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can confidently construct clear and grammatically correct sentences. Remember to always pay attention to the number of your subjects and ensure that your verbs match accordingly.