How to Match Singular and Plural Verbs to Subjects

📚 Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement simply means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. In other words, a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. This agreement ensures clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.

📜 A Brief History

The concept of subject-verb agreement has been present in English grammar for centuries. Its roots can be traced back to Old English, where verb forms were more heavily inflected (changed) to indicate agreement with the subject. Over time, English has simplified, but the core principle of agreement remains vital for clear communication.

📌 Key Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement

• 👤 Singular Subjects: Use a singular verb with a singular subject.
• 👯 Plural Subjects: Use a plural verb with a plural subject.
• 🤝 Compound Subjects: Subjects joined by 'and' usually take a plural verb.
• 💔 Either/Or, Neither/Nor: When using 'either/or' or 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
• 🏢 Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be singular or plural, depending on whether they act as a unit or as individual members.

✍️ Real-World Examples

Let's look at some examples to illustrate these principles:

• ✔️ Singular: The cat is sleeping.
• ✔️ Plural: The cats are sleeping.
• ✔️ Compound: John and Mary are going to the store.
• ✔️ Either/Or: Either the cat or the dogs are going to be fed.
• ✔️ Collective (Singular): The team is playing well.
• ✔️ Collective (Plural): The team are arguing among themselves.

💡 Tips & Tricks

• 🔎 Identify the Subject: Always find the true subject of the sentence before determining the correct verb form.
• ⚠️ Watch Out for Intervening Phrases: Phrases between the subject and verb do not affect agreement.
• 📣 Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the easier it will become to identify and correct subject-verb agreement errors.

📝 Practice Quiz

Choose the correct verb form in each sentence:

1. The dog (barks/bark) loudly.
2. My friends (is/are) coming over tonight.
3. Either John or his brothers (is/are) going to pick me up.
4. The committee (has/have) made its decision.
5. Physics (is/are) my favorite subject.

✅ Answers

1. barks
2. are
3. are
4. has
5. is

⭐ Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear and effective communication. By understanding the basic principles and practicing regularly, you can improve your writing and speaking skills significantly. Keep practicing, and you'll become a subject-verb agreement pro in no time!