Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammar rule that ensures that the verb used in a sentence agrees with the subject of the sentence. Violating this rule can make your writing sound awkward and unprofessional. In this article, we’ll explore the subject-verb agreement rules along with some examples.
Rule 1: Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
Singular subject example: Anna is reading a book.
Plural subject example: The children are playing outside.
Rule 2: Singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs, and plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs.
Singular indefinite pronoun example: Someone is knocking at the door.
Plural indefinite pronoun example: Both of them were unhappy with the decision.
Rule 3: When the subject of a sentence includes both singular and plural nouns or pronouns, the verb agrees with the nearest noun or pronoun in the sentence.
Mixed subject example: The book, as well as the pen, is on the table.
Rule 4: When the subject of a sentence is a collective noun, the verb can be singular or plural, depending on the context.
Collective noun singular verb example: The team is playing well this season.
Collective noun plural verb example: The team are all wearing their new uniforms.
Rule 5: When the subject of the sentence is separated by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
“Or” example: Either the cats or the dog is responsible for the mess.
“Nor” example: Neither the teacher nor the students were happy with the exam.
Rule 6: When the subject of a sentence is a compound subject joined by “and,” it usually takes a plural verb.
Compound subject example: The bread and butter are on the table.
There are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the individual subjects are considered as a single entity, then a singular verb is used.
Exception example: Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish.
By following these subject-verb agreement rules, you can improve your writing and make it sound more polished and professional. Keep practicing and applying these rules to enhance your writing skills.