Subject-verb agreement may sound like a term that actually comes from some ancient textbook, but trust me, it’s much more than that. It’s really the core of clear communication in English.
The fit and congruity of both subject and verb bring together sentences that have a kind of resonance of clarity and precision. Yet even for the most accomplished writers, this essential rule remains a stumbling block.
Ever come across a sentence that feels like something isn’t right? Perhaps it is an issue of subject-verb agreement. It is one concept that those who desire the refinement of their writing or speaking abilities should not allow themselves to bypass.
Whether you are emailing, writing a novel, or anything in between, mastery of how subjects and verbs interact will push your language up another notch.
Do you want to dive into how subject-verb agreement works? Then let’s unravel its mysteries!
What Is Subject Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule whereby subjects and verbs that have been combined in a sentence need to concur in number. For instance, when the subject has been singular, the verb should also appear singular. In contrast, when the subject has been plural, the verb will be as well. This is a key rule governing the writing for coherence and clarity.
Take, for instance “The dog barks” versus “The dogs bark“. Here, you see the change in the form of “bark” depending on the fact that we are talking about one dog or many dogs. Such a concept is simple yet carries so much punch when used in a sentence or phrase and therefore really impacts the message carried by it.
Understanding this agreement helps avoid confusion on the part of the reader. Proper use doesn’t only make your writing better but also showcases attention to detail—an essential quality in good communication. With a strong grasp of subject-verb agreement, you’ll take a big step toward mastering English grammar.
Usage and Examples
The subject verb agreement is a key to developing any sentences clearly. Subject and verb must be in the same number, so that a singular subject should be written with a singular verb and vice versa.
Subjects are plural and should be in plural verbs. This agreement specifies the precise idea to be conveyed without confusion.
For example: “The dog barks.” In the above sentence, “dog” is a singular noun. Hence, it needs to concord with the singular form of the verb, which here is “barks.” In the modified version: “The dogs bark,” both come in the plural form.
A very common occurrence is compound subjects. When two nouns are joined by ‘and,’ they typically take a plural verb: “My brother and sister enjoy hiking.” But when joined by ‘or‘ or ‘nor,’ use the form that agrees with the closest subject: “Neither my parents nor my friend enjoys this movie.” These nuances all help to create writing that is clearer and more meaningful.
More extended rules of subject-verb agreement
Sometimes advanced rules in subject-verb agreement become tricky. A noun such as “team” or “group” takes either a singular or plural verb according to whether the noun is approached as one unit or not. When thinking of them as one unit, it takes a singular verb: “The team wins.” When emphasizing the individual members acting separately, in the plural form is in order: “The team are arguing.”.
Another subtlety arises when using an indefinite pronoun. Singular verbs generally accompany words like “everyone,” “someone,” and “nobody“: “Everyone enjoys their own cake.” But beware of words like “few,” “many,” and “several.” These demand plural verbs because they refer to more than one person or thing.
Compound subjects also present a problem. When connected by ‘and,’ they commonly require a plural verb. However when connected by ‘or’ or ‘nor,’ the verb should agree with the closer subject in number-making careful consideration crucial for proper sentence construction.
Subject-Verb Agreement is perhaps one of the most important concepts that must be known to convey the meaning very clearly. Almost all students and writers do not know this method; their writing lacks clarity because of such methods. An easy grammar checker like Trinka helps pick up the error of subject-verb agreement so that sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand.