Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule of English grammar that governs the way in which a sentence is constructed. It refers to the agreement that must exist between the subject and the verb in a sentence. In other words, when writing a sentence, the verb must be in agreement with the subject in terms of number, tense, and person.

For instance, if the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular. Conversely, if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well. This rule also applies to the tense of the sentence. If the subject is in the past tense, then the verb must also be in the past tense.

A common mistake made by many people is the use of singular verbs with plural subjects, and vice versa. For example, a sentence like “The group of boys was playing soccer” is grammatically correct because the subject “group of boys” is singular. On the other hand, a sentence such as “The group of boys were playing soccer” would be incorrect as the verb “were” is plural and does not correspond with the singular subject.

In addition, subject-verb agreement also takes into account the person of the subject. If the subject is in the first person (I), then the verb must be in the first person as well (am). Similar rules apply for second person (you) and third person (he/she/it/they).

Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of written and spoken English as it affects the clarity and accuracy of communication. Poor subject-verb agreement can lead to confusion and ambiguity, making it difficult for readers or listeners to understand the intended meaning.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence in terms of number, tense, and person. It is a fundamental grammar concept that plays a crucial role in creating clear and understandable sentences. By mastering this rule, writers and speakers can improve the quality of their communication.

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