Subject-verb agreement is a critical aspect of the English language. It ensures that the verb in a sentence agrees with the subject in terms of number and person. This ensures that the sentence is grammatically correct and easy to understand. In this article, we will discuss five subject-verb agreement rules with examples.
1. Basic agreement
The most basic rule of subject-verb agreement is that the verb must agree with the subject in number. Singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs. For example:
– The dog barks all night. (Singular subject “dog” requires singular verb “barks”.)
– The dogs bark all night. (Plural subject “dogs” requires plural verb “bark”.)
2. Compound subjects
When you have a compound subject made up of two or more nouns or pronouns joined by “and,” the verb should be plural. For example:
– Tom and Jerry are best friends. (The compound subject “Tom and Jerry” requires plural verb “are”.)
– The book and the pen are on the table. (The compound subject “book and pen” requires plural verb “are”.)
3. Collective nouns
Collective nouns are singular nouns that refer to a group of people or things. While they are singular, they are made up of multiple individuals. When using a collective noun as a subject, use a singular verb. For example:
– The jury has reached a verdict. (The collective noun “jury” requires singular verb “has”.)
– The team is ready to play. (The collective noun “team” requires singular verb “is”.)
4. Indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that do not refer to a specific person or thing. They include words like “everyone,” “someone,” “anything,” and “nothing.” When using an indefinite pronoun as a subject, use a singular verb. For example:
– Everyone is invited to the party. (The indefinite pronoun “everyone” requires singular verb “is”.)
– Something smells funny. (The indefinite pronoun “something” requires singular verb “smells”.)
5. Inverted word order
In some sentences, the subject and verb order are inverted. This occurs in questions and sentences that begin with a negative word like “never.” Inverted word order does not affect subject-verb agreement. For example:
– Has the teacher gone home already? (Singular subject “teacher” requires singular verb “has”.)
– Never have I seen such a beautiful sunset. (Singular subject “I” requires singular verb “have”.)
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of the English language. By following the five subject-verb agreement rules discussed in this article, you can ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand. Remember to always check that your verb agrees with your subject in terms of number and person.