Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar that can significantly impact the interpretation of a sentence. The subject of a sentence and its corresponding verb need to agree with each other in terms of number, person, and tense. Inconsistent subject-verb agreement can result in confusion, ambiguity, and incorrect meaning. Here are 15 rules of subject-verb agreement with three examples to help you maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing.
1. A singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb.
Example: The dog barks. (singular subject and verb)
The dogs bark. (plural subject and verb)
2. When a sentence has compound subjects joined by “and,” a plural verb is used.
Example: The cat and the dog play together. (plural subject and verb)
3. When a sentence has compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Example: Neither the cat nor the dog is allowed on the sofa. (singular subject and verb)
4. In sentences with collective nouns like “team,” “family,” or “committee,” singular verbs are used when the group acts as a whole, and plural verbs are used when the group members act individually.
Example: The team is playing well. (singular verb)
The team members disagree with the coach`s decision. (plural verb)
5. Indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “anyone,” “someone,” or “no one” are always considered singular and require singular verbs.
Example: Everyone is responsible for their own actions. (singular subject and verb)
6. When a sentence has a singular subject joined by “with,” “together with,” “as well as,” or “in addition to,” the verb agrees with the subject.
Example: The teacher, as well as the students, is responsible for the class`s success. (singular subject and verb)
7. When a sentence has inverted word order, the subject follows the verb, and the verb agrees with the subject.
Example: Lying on the floor were the keys. (singular subject and verb)
8. Nouns ending in “-s” are usually plural, but some of them are singular and require singular verbs, such as “mathematics,” “physics,” or “news.”
Example: The news is not good. (singular subject and verb)
His mathematics skills are impressive. (plural subject and verb)
9. When a sentence has “each,” “every,” or “many” before a subject, the verb is usually singular.
Example: Many students enjoy playing sports. (singular verb)
10. When a sentence has two or more singular subjects connected by “either/or,” “neither/nor,” or “not only/but also,” the verb agrees with the closer subject.
Example: Neither the cat nor the dog knows how to open the door. (singular subject and verb)
11. When an indefinite pronoun like “all,” “some,” “more,” or “most” is the subject of a sentence, the verb agrees with the pronoun`s meaning.
Example: All of the cookies have been eaten. (plural verb)
Most of the cake is left. (singular verb)
12. When a sentence has a prepositional phrase between the subject and the verb, the preposition does not affect the agreement.
Example: The dog, with whom I played, is friendly. (singular subject and verb)
13. When a sentence has a collective noun that refers to members acting individually, the verb is usually plural.
Example: The class are taking their seats. (plural subject and verb)
14. When a sentence has a noun phrase that refers to a specific number or quantity, the verb agrees with the noun.
Example: One of the students has arrived late. (singular subject and verb)
Two of the students have arrived late. (plural subject and verb)
15. When a sentence has “there” as the subject, the verb agrees with the following noun.
Example: There are many books on the shelf. (plural subject and verb)
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential grammatical rule that requires careful attention and practice. By following these 15 rules, you can create clear, concise, and accurate sentences that convey your intended meaning. Remember to consider the number, person, and tense of the subject and the corresponding verb and to avoid common mistakes that can compromise your writing`s effectiveness.