Subject-Verb Agreement: Making Sure They Match!
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule in English grammar that ensures the verb in a sentence correctly matches the subject in number and person. In simpler terms, it means the verb should be singular if the subject is singular and plural if the subject is plural.
Here's the breakdown:
* Subject: The person or thing performing the action of the verb.
* Verb: The action word in a sentence.
* Number: Singular (one) or plural (more than one).
* Person: First person (I/we), second person (you), or third person (he/she/it/they).
Here's how it works in practice:
* Singular subject + singular verb: *The cat sits on the mat.*
* Plural subject + plural verb: *The cats sit on the mat.*
* First person singular subject + first person singular verb: *I am happy.*
* Third person singular subject + third person singular verb: *He is happy.*
Common challenges with subject-verb agreement:
* Intervening phrases: Phrases between the subject and verb can confuse the issue. The key is to identify the true subject.
* *Example:* The boy, along with his friends, is playing in the park. (The subject is "boy," not "friends.")
* Indefinite pronouns: Words like "everyone," "someone," "nothing" are singular and take singular verbs.
* *Example:* Everyone is welcome.
* Collective nouns: Words like "team," "family," "group" can be singular or plural depending on context.
* *Example:* The team is ready for the game. (Team is acting as one unit)
* Compound subjects: Two or more subjects joined by "and" are usually plural.
* *Example:* The dog and the cat are playing.
* Subjects joined by "or" or "nor": The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
* *Example:* Neither the dog nor the cats are allowed inside.
Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and grammatically correct writing. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your sentences are always on point!