Basic Rules of Subject Verb Agreement
Subject verb agreement is an important aspect of grammar. It is necessary for the proper construction of sentences. Subject verb agreement refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. If they do not agree in number, the sentence becomes grammatically incorrect and may lead to confusion.
Here are some basic rules of subject verb agreement that you should know.
Rule 1: Singular subject needs singular verb
When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb should also be singular. For example:
Incorrect: The dogs barks at the mailman.
Correct: The dog barks at the mailman.
Rule 2: Plural subject needs plural verb
When the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb should also be plural. For example:
Incorrect: The child plays with his toy.
Correct: The children play with their toys.
Rule 3: Compound subjects need a plural verb
When a sentence has more than one subject connected by and, the verb should be plural. For example:
Incorrect: The teacher and the student is coming.
Correct: The teacher and the student are coming.
Rule 4: Singular subjects with either/or or neither/nor need a singular verb
When the subject of a sentence is singular but connected by either/or or neither/nor, the verb should be singular. For example:
Incorrect: Neither the cat nor the dog are in the house.
Correct: Neither the cat nor the dog is in the house.
Rule 5: Be verbs need special attention
The forms of the verb “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, etc.) need special attention in subject verb agreement. The verb should agree with the subject in number. For example:
Incorrect: The group of students were late.
Correct: The group of students was late.
In conclusion, understanding the basic rules of subject verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication. As a writer, it is important to ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and convey the intended message. By following these rules, you can avoid common mistakes and improve the quality of your writing.