Notes on Subject and Verb Agreement

Notes on Subject and Verb Agreement

Subject and verb agreement is an essential aspect of writing in English. It refers to the correct use of a verb with its corresponding subject in a sentence. Understanding the rules of subject and verb agreement will help you avoid common grammatical errors and make your writing more effective.

Here are some notes on subject and verb agreement:

1. Singular Subjects Take Singular Verbs

A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. For example, «The cat chases the mouse.» (singular subject and verb) and «The cats chase the mice.» (plural subject and verb).

2. Compound Subjects Take Plural Verbs

When two or more subjects are connected by `and`, they form a compound subject. A compound subject takes a plural verb. For example, «The dog and the cat play together.» (compound subject and plural verb).

3. Indefinite Pronouns Take Singular Verbs

Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific persons or things. They take singular verbs. For example, «Everyone is here.» (indefinite pronoun `everyone` and singular verb `is`).

4. Collective Nouns Can Take Singular Or Plural Verbs

A collective noun refers to a group of individuals, such as a team, family, or committee. They can take a singular or plural verb depending on the context. For example, «The team is ready to play.» (singular verb) and «The team are celebrating their victory.» (plural verb).

5. Inverted Sentences Follow The Subject-Verb Agreement

In inverted sentences, the subject comes after the verb instead of before it. The verb agrees with the subject, not the word order. For example, «Up the hill ran the dog.» (inverted sentence with the singular subject `dog` and singular verb `ran`).

Conclusion

Subject and verb agreement is an essential rule in writing in English. Ensure that you follow the correct rules of subject and verb agreement to avoid grammatical errors. Remember that singular subjects take singular verbs, compound subjects take plural verbs, indefinite pronouns take singular verbs, collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs depending on the context, and inverted sentences follow the subject-verb agreement. Practice these rules, and you will write better and more effectively.