Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of grammatical and syntactical correctness in writing. The correct usage of subject-verb agreement can be challenging to master, and it requires a lot of practice and attention to detail. To help you explore and think more about subject-verb agreement, here are some examples that you can consider.
1. Singular and Plural Nouns
When using a singular subject, use a singular verb, and vice versa when using a plural subject. For example:
– The cat sits on the mat. (singular subject “cat” matches with singular verb “sits”)
– The cats sit on the mats. (plural subject “cats” matches with plural verb “sit”)
2. Collective Nouns
A collective noun refers to a group of people or things. Depending on the context, a collective noun can be either singular or plural. For example:
– The team is playing well. (singular verb “is” matches with singular collective noun “team”)
– The team are playing well. (plural verb “are” matches with plural interpretation of collective noun “team”)
3. Compound Subjects
A compound subject consists of two or more nouns joined by “and.” For example:
– The dog and the cat play together. (compound subject “dog and cat” matches with plural verb “play”)
4. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns such as “each,” “every,” “anyone,” or “everyone” are always singular. For example:
– Everyone is welcome to attend the party. (singular verb “is” matches with singular indefinite pronoun “everyone”)
5. Intervening Phrases
Intervening phrases such as prepositional phrases or dependent clauses can sometimes be misleading when it comes to subject-verb agreement. For example:
– The book on the shelf, along with the pen and the notebook, belongs to me. (singular verb “belongs” matches with singular subject “book”)
6. Inverted Sentences
Inverted sentences are those where the subject comes after the verb. In such cases, make sure to match the verb with the subject. For example:
– Here comes the bus. (singular verb “comes” matches with singular subject “bus”)
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is crucial in writing clear and effective sentences. The above examples can help you to explore and think more about subject-verb agreement. Remember to always match your verbs with the subject to avoid any grammatical errors. Happy writing!