Ser Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a crucial component of effective writing. It refers to the grammatical rule that dictates that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. Essentially, this means that if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Failing to adhere to this rule can result in confusion and ambiguity for the reader, which is why it is important for writers to understand how to correctly use subject-verb agreement in their work.

One of the challenges writers face when it comes to subject-verb agreement is dealing with compound subjects. These are subjects that consist of two or more nouns or pronouns that are joined by the conjunction “and”. When working with compound subjects, it is important to remember that they are always plural, and therefore require plural verbs. For example: “The cat and the dog are playing in the yard.” In this sentence, both “cat” and “dog” are nouns joined by “and”, making them a compound subject that requires a plural verb (“are”).

Another instance where subject-verb agreement can be tricky is when dealing with phrases containing singular nouns that are preceded by words like “a”, “each”, or “every”. In these cases, the subject is considered singular, and therefore requires a singular verb. For example: “Every student in the class is required to attend the field trip.” In this sentence, “every student” is the subject, and since it is considered singular, it requires the singular verb “is”.

When it comes to making mistakes with subject-verb agreement, one of the most common errors is when the subject and verb are separated by intervening words or phrases. This can lead writers to use the wrong verb form, particularly when the intervening word is a singular noun that seems to suggest a singular verb. However, the verb must still agree with the subject, regardless of any intervening words. For example: “The group of friends, including Tom, are going to the movies.” In this sentence, “group” is the subject, and even though it is separated from the verb by the intervening phrase “of friends, including Tom”, it is still considered singular and therefore requires the singular verb “is” instead of “are”.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential component of clear and effective writing. By ensuring that the subject and verb agree in number, writers can avoid confusion and ambiguity, and make their writing more engaging and readable. When dealing with compound subjects, phrases with singular nouns, or intervening words, writers must be careful to use the appropriate verb form that agrees with the subject. If you are unsure about subject-verb agreement, take the time to review grammar rules and practice using them in your writing. It will make a big difference in the quality of your work.