Chapter 7: Subject and Verb Agreement
Subject and verb agreement is critical in ensuring that your writing makes sense and is grammatically correct. This chapter will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to match the subject and verb in a sentence.
What is Subject and Verb Agreement?
The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. The verb, on the other hand, is the action that the subject is performing or the state of being that the subject is in. Subject and verb agreement occurs when the tense of the verb matches the number of the subject.
For instance, if the subject is singular, then the verb must be in the singular form. Likewise, if the subject is plural, then the verb must be in the plural form. Failure to match the subject and verb can result in awkward and confusing sentences.
How to Determine Subject and Verb Agreement
The easiest way to determine subject and verb agreement is to identify the subject and verb within the sentence and then ensure that the tense matches. For example:
– He runs in the morning.
– They run in the morning.
In the first sentence, the subject is “he,” which is singular. The verb “runs” is also singular, so the subject and verb agree.
In the second sentence, the subject is “they,” which is plural. The verb “run” is also plural, so the subject and verb agree.
Exceptions to Subject and Verb Agreement
There are a few instances where subject and verb agreement rules can get confusing. Here are a few examples:
– Compound subjects: When two subjects are connected with “and,” the verb is typically in the plural form. For example: “John and Sue are going to the park.”
– Collective nouns: Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals, but they are treated as singular subjects. For example: “The class is studying grammar.”
– Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone” or “anyone,” are singular. For example: “Everyone is responsible for their own actions.”
In conclusion, subject and verb agreement is crucial to ensure that your writing is accurate and easy to read. By properly matching the number of the subject and verb, you can avoid grammatical errors and convey your message effectively.