Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that all writers must master. The subject of a sentence and the verb must agree in number, meaning that a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. If the subject and verb do not agree, the sentence can be confusing and difficult to understand. In this article, we will discuss the important rules of subject-verb agreement that every writer should know.
1. Singular subjects require singular verbs
When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular. For example, “The cat drinks milk” is correct because “cat” is singular, and “drinks” is a singular verb. However, “The cat drinks milks” is incorrect because “milks” is plural, and the subject is singular.
2. Plural subjects require plural verbs
When the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb must also be plural. For example, “The cats drink milk” is correct because “cats” is plural, and “drink” is a plural verb. However, “The cats drinks milk” is incorrect because “drinks” is singular, and the subject is plural.
3. Collective nouns can be singular or plural
Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things. They can be singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence. For example, “The team is playing well” is correct because “team” is treated as a singular noun. However, “The team are playing well” is also correct because “team” can be treated as a plural noun.
4. Indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural
Indefinite pronouns refer to people or things in general and do not have a specific antecedent. They can be singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence. For example, “Someone is knocking at the door” is correct because “someone” is treated as a singular indefinite pronoun. However, “Some of the people are knocking at the door” is correct because “people” is treated as a plural indefinite pronoun.
5. Inverted sentences require the verb to agree with the subject
In inverted sentences, the subject follows the verb. In this case, the verb must agree with the subject, even if it appears later in the sentence. For example, “On the table is a book” is correct because the subject “book” is singular, and the verb “is” agrees with it.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an important aspect of grammar that all writers should master. Remember that singular subjects require singular verbs, plural subjects require plural verbs, collective nouns can be singular or plural, and indefinite pronouns and inverted sentences require special attention. By following these rules, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.