How to Improve Subject-Verb Agreement in College Essays: Tips and Strategies

📚 What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-verb agreement simply means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

📜 A Brief History

The rules of subject-verb agreement have evolved over centuries of English language development. Originally, English had more complex verb conjugations that clearly indicated the number and person of the subject. Over time, these conjugations simplified, making subject-verb agreement a more subtle but still essential aspect of grammatical correctness.

🔑 Key Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement

• 👤 Singular Subjects Take Singular Verbs: A singular subject requires a singular verb form. For example, 'He goes to the library.'
• 👥 Plural Subjects Take Plural Verbs: A plural subject requires a plural verb form. For example, 'They go to the library.'
• 🤝 Compound Subjects: Subjects joined by 'and' usually take a plural verb. For example, 'John and Mary are going to the party.' However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity, a singular verb is used: 'Mac and cheese is my favorite dish.'
• 🚩Intervening Phrases: Phrases that come between the subject and verb do not affect the agreement. For example, 'The book, along with the CDs, is on the table.'
• ❓Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., each, everyone, nobody) are singular and take singular verbs. Others (e.g., several, both, few) are plural and take plural verbs. Some (e.g., all, some, none) can be either singular or plural depending on the context. For example, 'Everyone is ready' vs. 'Several are ready.'
• 🗣️Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be singular or plural depending on whether they are acting as a unit or as individual members. For example, 'The team is playing well' (acting as a unit) vs. 'The team are arguing about the strategy' (acting as individuals).
• 📍 'There is / There are': The verb agrees with the noun that follows 'there is' or 'there are.' For example, 'There is a book on the shelf' vs. 'There are books on the shelf.'

✍️ Real-World Examples in College Essays

Let's look at some examples of how subject-verb agreement works in college essays:

Example 1:

Incorrect: 'The impact of social media on teenagers are significant.'

Correct: 'The impact of social media on teenagers is significant.'

Example 2:

Incorrect: 'Each of the students have completed the assignment.'

Correct: 'Each of the students has completed the assignment.'

Example 3:

Incorrect: 'My family, including my parents and siblings, are supportive of my dreams.'

Correct: 'My family, including my parents and siblings, is supportive of my dreams.'

🧪 Practice Quiz

Choose the correct verb form in each sentence:

1. The dog (is/are) barking loudly.
2. My friends (go/goes) to the beach every summer.
3. Each of the candidates (has/have) strong qualifications.
4. The team (is/are) working hard to win the championship.
5. There (is/are) many opportunities available for graduates.

💡 Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear and effective writing. By understanding the key principles and practicing regularly, you can ensure that your college essays are grammatically sound and convey your ideas with precision. Good luck!