Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar. This grammar rule states that the subject and the verb in a sentence must agree with each other in terms of number. It means that if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular as well, and if the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural. Violation of this rule can result in awkward and confusing sentences. In this article, we`ll discuss ten examples of rules in subject-verb agreement to help you ensure your writing is grammatically correct.
1. When the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. For example:
– The dog barks at the postman every morning.
– The teacher explains the lesson to the students.
2. When the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural. For example:
– The dogs bark at the postman every morning.
– The teachers explain the lesson to the students.
3. When the subject is a collective noun, the verb can be singular or plural depending on the context. For example:
– The team is playing well this season. (singular verb)
– The team are arguing among themselves. (plural verb)
4. If the subject is separated by `or` or `nor,` the verb agrees with the closest subject. For example:
– Either the cat or the dog chases the squirrel.
– Neither the cat nor the dog chases the squirrel.
5. If the subject is separated by `either…or,` the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example:
– Either the manager or the employees are responsible for the mistake.
6. If the subject is separated by `not only… but also,` the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example:
– Not only the cat but also the dog likes to play.
7. When using words like `each,` `every,` `many,` `a few,` `several,` `some,` etc., the verb is singular. For example:
– Each student has his or her own locker.
– Some of the food is expired.
8. When using expressions of quantity such as `a number of,` `a majority of,` `a fraction of,` `a percentage of,` etc., the verb agrees with the object of the preposition. For example:
– A number of people are coming to the party.
– A fraction of the cake is missing.
9. In sentences that begin with `there` or `here,` the verb agrees with the subject following the verb. For example:
– There are many people at the mall.
– Here are the keys you were looking for.
10. When the subject is a singular noun that ends in `s,` the verb can be singular or plural depending on the context. For example:
– Mathematics is my favorite subject. (singular verb)
– Physics are difficult for some students. (plural verb)
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammar rule that can make or break the clarity of your writing. By following these ten examples of rules in subject-verb agreement, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and easy to read.