Sentences Using Subject Verb Agreement

Subject verb agreement is a crucial aspect of writing that cannot be ignored. The relationship between the subject and the verb of a sentence must be accurately presented, or it would result in a grammatical error. Such mistakes can affect the clarity, meaning, and impact of your writing.

To effectively use subject verb agreement, it is necessary to understand the basic rules that guide its usage. The following guidelines would help you write sentences that accurately reflect the relationship between the subject and the verb of a sentence.

1. Use a singular verb for a singular subject

A singular subject takes a singular verb. For example, “The dog barks,” not “The dog bark.” An exception to this rule is when the subject is a collective noun or a noun that refers to a group of people or things. In such instances, a plural verb is used. For instance, “The team is playing”, not “The team are playing.”

2. Use a plural verb for a plural subject

Similarly, a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example, “The dogs bark,” not “The dogs barks.” When using a plural verb, avoid using an “s” at the end of the verb. This only applies to present tense verbs. For instance, “They walk to school,” not “They walks to school.”

3. Maintain subject-verb agreement with compound subjects

When a sentence has two or more subjects joined by “and,” the verb used must be plural. For instance, “John and Jane play tennis.” However, when the conjunction used is “or,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For instance, “Either the cat or the dog is making noise.”

4. Use a singular verb with singular indefinite pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to people or things that are not specific. Examples include anyone, everyone, someone, nobody, anybody, somebody, and others. A singular verb is used with singular indefinite pronouns. For instance, “Everyone is expected to attend the meeting,” not “Everyone are expected to attend the meeting.”

5. Use a plural verb with plural indefinite pronouns

Similarly, plural indefinite pronouns like both, few, several, and many take a plural verb. For example, “Few students attend lectures nowadays,” not “Few students attends lectures nowadays.”

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is essential to effective communication. Writing with proper subject-verb agreement improves your writing`s clarity, enhances the meaning of your words, and enhances the overall impact of your message. By following the simple guidelines outlined in this article, you can master subject-verb agreement and improve the quality of your writing.