Definition of Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the subject and the verb in a sentence must agree in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Proper subject-verb agreement is essential for constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences.
Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
- Singular Subject, Singular Verb
- When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular.
- Example: “The cat runs fast.” (Subject: “The cat” is singular, so the verb “runs” is singular.)
- Plural Subject, Plural Verb
- When the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb must also be plural.
- Example: “The cats run fast.” (Subject: “The cats” is plural, so the verb “run” is plural.)
- Subjects Joined by ‘And’
- When two or more singular subjects are joined by “and,” they require a plural verb.
- Example: “The dog and the cat are friends.” (The subjects “The dog” and “the cat” are joined by “and,” so the verb “are” is plural.)
- Subjects Joined by ‘Or’ or ‘Nor’
- When singular subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to the verb.
- Example: “Neither the teacher nor the student is late.” (The subject “student” is singular, so the verb “is” is singular.)
- Example: “Neither the teachers nor the student is late.” (The subject “student” is closest to the verb and is singular, so the verb “is” is singular.)
Special Cases in Subject-Verb Agreement
- Indefinite Pronouns
- Some indefinite pronouns are always singular and take a singular verb, while others can be plural. Here are the most common ones:
- Singular Indefinite Pronouns: anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, nothing, someone, something.
- Example: “Everyone is welcome at the event.”
- Plural Indefinite Pronouns: both, few, many, several.
- Example: “Many are attending the meeting.”
- Some Indefinite Pronouns Depending on Context: all, any, more, most, none, some.
- Example: “All of the cake is gone.” (singular because “cake” is uncountable)
- Example: “All of the cookies are gone.” (plural because “cookies” is countable)
- Collective Nouns
- Collective nouns, such as “team,” “family,” “group,” or “class,” can take either a singular or plural verb, depending on whether the group is seen as a single unit or as individuals.
- Example (Singular): “The team is winning.” (The team is acting as a single entity.)
- Example (Plural): “The team are arguing among themselves.” (The team members are acting as individuals.)
- Titles of Books, Movies, or Works
- Titles of books, movies, or works of art are always treated as singular, even if they appear to be plural.
- Example: “The Chronicles of Narnia is a popular book series.”
- Subjects with Quantifiers
- When phrases like “a lot of,” “some of,” or “a majority of” are used, the verb agrees with the noun that follows these phrases.
- Example: “A lot of the work is finished.” (“Work” is uncountable, so the verb is singular.)
- Example: “A lot of the students are ready.” (“Students” is plural, so the verb is plural.)
- Distance, Time, Money
- When expressing a unit of distance, time, or money, use a singular verb, even if the subject appears plural.
- Example: “Five miles is a long distance to run.”
- Example: “Ten dollars is enough for the ticket.”
- Titles Ending in ‘s’
- Some singular subjects that end in “s,” such as the names of countries, organizations, or diseases, take singular verbs.
- Example: “The United States is a large country.”
- Example: “Diabetes is a common condition.”
Common Errors in Subject-Verb Agreement
- Confusion with Words Between Subject and Verb
- Be careful not to be distracted by words or phrases that come between the subject and the verb. The verb should still agree with the main subject, not any intervening nouns or phrases.
- Incorrect: “The bouquet of flowers are beautiful.” (The subject is “bouquet,” not “flowers.”)
- Correct: “The bouquet of flowers is beautiful.” (The subject “bouquet” is singular, so the verb “is” is singular.)
- Inverted Sentences
- In sentences where the subject comes after the verb, such as in questions, make sure the verb agrees with the subject.
- Example: “Where is the teacher?” (The subject “teacher” is singular, so the verb “is” is singular.)
- Example: “Where are the teachers?” (The subject “teachers” is plural, so the verb “are” is plural.)
- Agreement with Gerunds
- Gerunds (verbs ending in -ing used as nouns) are treated as singular and take a singular verb.
- Example: “Swimming is fun.”
- Subjects with Relative Clauses
- When the subject of the sentence is modified by a relative clause, the verb must agree with the subject, not the relative pronoun.
- Example: “The student who writes the best essays wins the prize.” (The subject “student” is singular, so the verb “wins” is singular.)
Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement in Sentences
- Singular Subject, Singular Verb:
“The dog barks loudly.”
(Subject: “dog,” Verb: “barks”) - Plural Subject, Plural Verb:
“The children are playing in the park.”
(Subject: “children,” Verb: “are playing”) - Collective Noun as Singular:
“The committee meets every Friday.”
(Subject: “committee,” Verb: “meets”) - Indefinite Pronoun as Singular:
“Each of the students has completed the assignment.”
(Subject: “Each,” Verb: “has completed”) - Plural Subjects Joined by ‘Or’:
“Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the issue.”
(Subject: “employees,” Verb: “were”)
Tips for Ensuring Subject-Verb Agreement
- Identify the Main Subject:
Always identify the main subject of the sentence to ensure that the verb agrees with it, not with any words that may come between the subject and verb. - Use Singular or Plural Verbs Consistently:
Make sure that if the subject is singular, the verb is singular; if the subject is plural, the verb is plural. - Be Mindful of Indefinite Pronouns:
Remember which indefinite pronouns are always singular, always plural, or can change based on context. - Read the Sentence Aloud:
Reading the sentence aloud can often help catch subject-verb agreement mistakes, as incorrect agreement will usually sound awkward or incorrect.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is a foundational rule of grammar that ensures sentences are clear, logical, and grammatically correct. By matching the verb to the subject in number and avoiding common mistakes, you can improve the clarity and readability of your writing. Paying attention to special cases, such as collective nouns and indefinite pronouns, is essential for mastering subject-verb agreement.