Subject-verb agreement is a crucial element of grammar that determines the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. The first rule of subject-verb agreement is straightforward – the subject and the verb must agree in number.
What does this mean?
Simply put, if the subject of the sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular. Conversely, if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
For example, consider the following sentences:
– The dog barks at the mailman.
– The dogs bark at the mailman.
In the first sentence, “dog” is the subject, and the verb “barks” is singular, agreeing with the singular subject. In the second sentence, “dogs” is the subject, and “bark” is the plural verb that agrees with the plural subject.
Let us take a closer look at some other examples:
– The book on the shelf is my favorite.
– The books on the shelf are my favorite.
In the first sentence, we use “is” because “book” is a singular noun. In the second sentence, we use “are” because “books” is a plural noun.
It is essential to remember that subject-verb agreement is not just about matching singular subjects with singular verbs and plural subjects with plural verbs. It also applies to compound subjects, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns.
Compound subjects consist of two or more nouns or pronouns joined by “and.” In this case, the verb must be plural. For example:
– Jenny and Mike are going to the movies.
Collective nouns represent groups of people or things, such as “team,” “family,” or “audience.” These nouns can be singular or plural, depending on the context:
– The team plays well together. (singular)
– The family are all going on vacation. (plural)
Indefinite pronouns, such as “everybody,” “someone,” and “either,” are singular and require a singular verb. For example:
– Everybody loves ice cream.
In conclusion, the first rule of subject-verb agreement is simple yet vital. Ensure that the subject and the verb agree in number, whether it is a singular subject or a plural subject. Following this fundamental rule will help you write grammatically correct sentences that are easy to read and understand.
