Verbal or subject-verb agreement is one of the most important aspects of grammar that is often overlooked by many writers. It is essential to have a good understanding of this concept to ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.
Subject-verb agreement refers to the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence. In other words, the verb must agree with the subject in number and person. For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. Likewise, if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
Singular subject examples:
– The dog barks.
– The teacher teaches.
– The tree grows.
Plural subject examples:
– The dogs bark.
– The teachers teach.
– The trees grow.
However, we often encounter errors in subject-verb agreement, which can lead to confusion and affect the quality of the writing. Here are some common mistakes that people make:
1. Indefinite pronouns:
One common mistake is with indefinite pronouns such as someone, anyone, everyone, nobody, and somebody. These words are singular, but they refer to a group of people. Therefore, the verb must be singular.
Examples:
– Everyone is here.
– Somebody left the door open.
2. Collective Nouns:
Another common mistake is with collective nouns. Collective nouns refer to a group, but they are treated as singular and require a singular verb.
Examples:
– The team is playing well.
– The committee has made a decision.
3. Compound Subjects:
In the case of compound subjects, if they are joined by “and,” the verb must be plural. However, if the subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb must agree with the subject closest to the verb.
Examples:
– Tom and Jerry are running. (two subjects joined by “and”)
– Either Tom or Jerry is running. (two subjects joined by “or”)
4. Quantifiers:
When quantifiers like all, some, most, or none are used with plural nouns, they take a plural verb. However, if they are used with singular nouns, they take a singular verb.
Examples:
– All of the students were happy. (plural noun)
– All of the milk was spilled. (singular noun)
In conclusion, it is important to remember that subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that should not be ignored. Proper subject-verb agreement helps make your writing more coherent and easier to understand. Keep these rules in mind when writing and proofreading to ensure that your writing is grammatically correct.
