Rules of Subject Verb Agreement Examples

Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of English grammar that determines the accuracy and clarity of communication. The subject of the sentence refers to the person, animal, or thing that performs the action, and the verb is the action that the subject performs. The agreement between the subject and verb ensures that the sentence is grammatically correct and conveys the intended meaning. In this article, we will discuss the rules of subject-verb agreement and provide examples to illustrate each rule.

Rule #1: Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.

Example: The cat sits on the mat. (singular subject takes a singular verb)

The cats sit on the mat. (plural subject takes a plural verb)

Rule #2: Singular subjects that end with “s” or “es” take singular verbs.

Example: The bus arrives at 6 am. (singular subject ending with “s” takes a singular verb)

The box closes with a snap. (singular subject ending with “es” takes a singular verb)

Rule #3: Compound subjects joined by “and” take plural verbs.

Example: Tom and Jerry play football together. (compound subject takes a plural verb)

Rule #4: Collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs based on the context.

Example: The jury delivers the verdict. (singular verb used as a collective noun refers to a group as a single entity)

The jury argue over the verdict. (plural verb used as a collective noun refers to the individuals within the group)

Rule #5: Indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “someone,” and “each” take singular verbs.

Example: Everyone loves ice cream. (indefinite pronoun takes a singular verb)

Rule #6: Singular subjects that are collective nouns but represent individual units take plural verbs.

Example: The class have received their report cards. (class represents individual students and hence takes a plural verb)

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar that requires attention to detail and accuracy. Following the rules we have discussed in this article ensures that your writing is grammatically correct and delivers your intended message. Keep these rules in mind while writing, and you can be confident that you’re communicating your ideas effectively and efficiently.

5 augustus 2023

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