Subject-verb agreement is one of the most important grammar rules in the English language. It is the idea that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Here are some rules to keep in mind when it comes to subject-verb agreement:

1. The subject of a sentence must always agree with its verb in number. For example, “The cat is sleeping” is correct because “cat” is singular and “is” is singular. “The cats are sleeping” is correct because “cats” is plural and “are” is plural.

2. When there are compound subjects connected by “and,” the verb should be plural. For example, “The cat and the dog are sleeping” is correct because both “cat” and “dog” are plural.

3. When there is a compound subject connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For example, “Neither the cat nor the dog is hungry” is correct because “dog” is singular.

4. When there is a collective noun as the subject, the verb should be singular if the group is acting as one. For example, “The team is playing well” is correct because the team is acting as a single unit.

5. When there is a collective noun as the subject, the verb should be plural if the group is acting as individuals. For example, “The team are arguing with each other” is correct because the individuals on the team are acting separately.

6. When using phrases such as “a number of” or “a group of,” the verb should be plural. For example, “A number of cats are sleeping” is correct because the subject “number” is plural.

7. When using phrases such as “each” or “every,” the verb should be singular. For example, “Each cat is sleeping” is correct because “each” refers to one cat.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an important grammar rule that writers and editors must be mindful of. By following these rules, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!