Sentence Structure; Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number (singular or plural). This agreement is crucial for maintaining clarity and grammatical correctness in writing. Here’s an overview of subject-verb agreement:
1. Singular Subject with Singular Verb:
When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular.
– Example: She runs every morning.
2. Plural Subject with Plural Verb:
When the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb must also be plural.
– Example: They run every morning.
3. Agreement with Compound Subjects:
When the subject consists of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by “and,” it usually takes a plural verb.
– Example: Tom and Jerry are good friends.
4. Agreement with Collective Nouns:
Collective nouns refer to groups of people or things as a single unit. Depending on the context, they can take either a singular or plural verb.
– Example: The team is practicing for the game. (singular)
– Example: The team are arguing among themselves. (plural)
5. Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns:
Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific people or things. The choice of verb depends on the form of the indefinite pronoun.
– Example: Everyone wants to succeed. (singular)
– Example: Some are coming to the party. (plural)
6. Agreement with Collective Expressions:
Expressions such as “a lot,” “the majority of,” and “a number of” are treated as singular or plural depending on the noun following the expression.
– Example: A lot has changed since then. (singular)
– Example: A number of students are absent today. (plural)
7. Agreement with Singular Nouns Ending in -s:
Some singular nouns ending in -s may seem plural, but they still take a singular verb.
– Example: Physics is my favorite subject.
8. Agreement with Titles and Names:
Titles of books, movies, organizations, etc., and names of countries, cities, and companies are treated as singular.
– Example: The Lord of the Rings is a famous book series.
– Example: Apple is a leading technology company.
9. Agreement with There + Be:
When “there” is used as a subject followed by a form of the verb “to be,” the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun that follows “be.”
– Example: There is a problem with the computer. (singular)
– Example: There are many options to choose from. (plural)
Ensuring subject-verb agreement is essential for writing grammatically correct sentences. By understanding and applying the rules of subject-verb agreement, writers can effectively convey their ideas with clarity and precision.