Subject verb agreement is a fundamental principle of English grammar that is often overlooked by writers and speakers. In simple terms, it refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. When the subject and verb agree in number and tense, the sentence is grammatically correct. If they do not agree, the sentence is grammatically incorrect and can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.
As a professional, I have come across numerous articles that violate the rules of subject verb agreement. Therefore, I have compiled a list of the five rules of subject verb agreement that every writer must know.
Rule 1: Singular subjects take singular verbs while plural subjects take plural verbs.
Example: The dog barks at the postman. (singular subject “dog” takes a singular verb “barks”)
The dogs bark at the postman. (plural subject “dogs” takes a plural verb “bark”)
Rule 2: Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, somebody, nobody, etc., take singular verbs.
Example: Everyone knows that the earth is round. (Indefinite pronoun “everyone” takes a singular verb “knows”)
Rule 3: Collective nouns such as team, family, committee, etc., take singular or plural verbs depending on the context.
Example: The team is playing well this season. (singular verb)
The team are arguing among themselves. (plural verb)
Rule 4: When using “either/or,” “neither/nor” or “not only/but also,” the verb must agree with the noun closest to it.
Example: Neither the teacher nor the students are interested in the topic. (The plural noun “students” is closest to the verb “are,” so it takes a plural verb)
Rule 5: Inverted sentences, where the subject comes after the verb, still follow the rule of subject verb agreement.
Example: In the garden stood a tall tree. (The subject “tree” is singular and takes a singular verb “stood”)
In conclusion, subject verb agreement is crucial in creating grammatically correct sentences. It is essential for writers to know the rules of subject verb agreement to avoid errors and improve the readability of their work. By following these five rules, writers can enhance the clarity and coherence of their writing, resulting in a more effective communication of their ideas.