Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of grammar in the English language. It ensures that a sentence’s subject and verb are correctly matched in number and person. This agreement is crucial for clear communication and grammatical correctness. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the rules of subject-verb agreement and provide examples to illustrate each point.
Understanding Subjects and Verbs: Before delving into subject-verb agreement rules, let’s clarify what constitutes a subject and a verb in a sentence.
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Subject: The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb or is described by the verb. It is typically located at the beginning of the sentence.
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Example: Sarah sings beautifully.
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In this sentence, “Sarah” is the subject because she is the one performing the action of singing.
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Verb: The verb expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being. It shows what the subject is doing or experiencing.
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Example: The cat sleeps peacefully.
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In this sentence, “sleeps” is the verb, indicating the action performed by the subject “cat.”
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Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement:
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Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
- Singular subject and verb: The dog barks loudly.
- Plural subject and verb: The dogs bark loudly.
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Subjects joined by “and” usually take a plural verb.
- Example: John and Mary are going to the party.
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When a compound subject is connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- Example: Neither the cat nor the dog is hungry.
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Singular indefinite pronouns (such as anyone, someone, nobody) take singular verbs.
- Example: Nobody knows the answer.
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Plural indefinite pronouns (such as both, many, several) take plural verbs.
- Example: Many have tried, but few have succeeded.
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Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs depending on the context. If the emphasis is on the group as a whole, use a singular verb. If the focus is on the individual members of the group, use a plural verb.
- Singular verb: The team is winning the championship.
- Plural verb: The team are having disagreements among themselves.
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Some nouns that appear plural but are singular in meaning (e.g., mathematics, news) take singular verbs.
- Example: Mathematics is my favourite subject.
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Subjects such as “each,” “every,” and “either…or” or “neither…nor” take singular verbs.
- Example: Each of the students has a different opinion.
Conclusion: Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for writing clear and grammatically correct sentences. By understanding the rules outlined in this guide and practising with examples, you can improve your writing skills and effectively communicate your ideas. Remember to pay attention to the number and person of both the subject and the verb to ensure agreement throughout your sentences. With consistent practice, subject-verb agreement will become second nature, enhancing the quality of your writing.