Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that is often overlooked, yet essential in communicating our ideas effectively. It refers to the agreement between a subject and its corresponding verb in a sentence. This means that the verb used must match the number and person of the subject.
The key to understanding subject-verb agreement is to identify the subject and determine its number and person. In simpler terms, the number of the subject should match the number of the verb, and the person of the subject should match the person of the verb. Let’s delve into this concept further with some practical examples.
Firstly, when dealing with singular subjects, the verb form used must also be singular. For instance, “She plays the piano every day.” Here, the singular subject “she” matches the singular verb “plays.” On the other hand, if the subject is plural, the verb used must also be plural. For example, “They play the piano every day.” In this case, the plural subject “they” matches the plural verb “play.”
One common mistake in subject-verb agreement is when the subject is a collective noun, such as “group,” “committee,” or “family.” These nouns seem to refer to a singular entity, but they can still be considered as a group of individuals. Therefore, the verb used must be plural. For instance, “The family are going on a trip together.”
Another aspect of subject-verb agreement to consider is the use of indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone,” “someone,” or “anyone.” In sentences using these pronouns as the subject, the verb used must also be singular. For example, “Everyone wants to go on vacation.”
Furthermore, subject-verb agreement also applies when using compound subjects. When two or more singular subjects are connected by “and,” the verb used must be plural. For instance, “The dog and the cat are playing in the yard.” On the other hand, if the compound subject consists of a singular and a plural subject, the verb used must match the subject closest to it. For example, “The dog and the kittens are playing in the yard.”
It is also crucial to note that in certain cases, the subject and verb may be separated by other words, such as prepositions or phrases. In these instances, it is essential to identify the subject and match the verb accordingly. For example, “The book on the table is interesting.” Here, “book” is the subject, and the singular verb “is” matches it.
In addition to subject-verb agreement with singular and plural subjects, it is also crucial to ensure agreement in terms of person. This means that the subject and verb must match in terms of first person (I, we), second person (you), and third person (he, she, it, they). For instance, “I am going to the store.” Here, the singular first-person subject “I” matches the singular verb “am.” On the other hand, “They are going to the store.” Here, the third person plural subject “they” matches the plural verb “are.”
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement plays a vital role in constructing clear and coherent sentences. It is necessary to ensure that the subject and verb match in terms of both number and person. By keeping these rules in mind and practicing with some of the practical examples provided, one can become proficient in subject-verb agreement and improve their writing skills. Remember, proper subject-verb agreement leads to better communication and enhances the overall quality of our language.