Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that states that the verb used in a sentence must agree with the subject of the sentence in terms of number and person. This means that if the subject of the sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well.
For example, in the sentence “The cat jumps on the table,” the subject is “cat,” which is singular, and the verb used is “jumps,” which is also singular. If the subject had been “cats,” which is plural, the verb used would have been “jump,” without the “s” at the end, to agree with the plural subject.
It is important to get subject-verb agreement right because mistakes can make your writing look unprofessional and confusing. Here are a few tips to help you master subject-verb agreement:
1. Identify the subject of the sentence: The subject of the sentence is the noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. It is important to identify the subject before you choose the appropriate verb.
2. Look for clues: Sometimes, the subject of the sentence can be tricky to identify. However, there are clues that can help you determine whether the subject is singular or plural. For example, if the subject is preceded by “a,” “an,” or “the,” it is likely singular. If the subject is preceded by “some,” “many,” or “several,” it is likely plural.
3. Pay attention to compound subjects: A compound subject is when there are two or more subjects in a sentence. When this happens, you need to use a plural verb. For example, “John and Mary are going to the park.”
4. Take note of collective nouns: Collective nouns are nouns that refer to a group of people or things. Examples include “team,” “family,” and “audience.” These nouns can be singular or plural depending on context. For example, “The team is practicing” uses a singular verb, while “The team are arguing” uses a plural verb.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential rule of grammar that helps ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing. By identifying the subject of a sentence, looking for clues, paying attention to compound subjects, and taking note of collective nouns, you can master subject-verb agreement and produce clear, effective writing.