π Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement simply means that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. This might sound complicated, but with a little practice, it becomes second nature!
π A Brief History
The rules of subject-verb agreement have evolved over centuries alongside the English language itself. Early forms of English had more complex verb conjugations (different verb forms depending on who was doing the action). Over time, English simplified, but the fundamental principle of matching subjects and verbs remained essential for clear communication.
π Key Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement
- π€ Singular Subjects: Use a singular verb form. For example, "He runs fast."
- π― Plural Subjects: Use a plural verb form. For example, "They run fast."
- 𧩠Compound Subjects: Subjects joined by 'and' usually take a plural verb. For example, "John and Mary are going to the store."
- β οΈ Exceptions with 'or' and 'nor': When subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, "Neither the students nor the teacher is here."
- βΉοΈ Indefinite Pronouns: Pronouns like 'each,' 'every,' 'someone,' 'nobody' are singular and take singular verbs. For example, "Everyone is welcome."
- π’ Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (like 'team,' 'family,' 'group') can be singular or plural depending on whether they are acting as a unit or as individuals. For example, "The team is playing well." (as a unit) vs. "The team are arguing about their positions." (as individuals).
π Real-World Examples
Let's look at some examples of subject-verb agreement in everyday sentences:
| Subject |
Verb |
Sentence |
| The cat |
sits |
The cat sits on the mat. |
| The dogs |
bark |
The dogs bark loudly. |
| She |
reads |
She reads a book every night. |
| They |
play |
They play soccer in the park. |
βοΈ Practice Quiz
Choose the correct verb form in the following sentences:
- β The dog (barks/bark) loudly.
- β My friends (is/are) coming over.
- β She (has/have) a new bicycle.
- β They (go/goes) to school every day.
- β The bird (fly/flies) in the sky.
- β We (eat/eats) dinner together.
- β John (play/plays) the guitar.
Answers: 1. barks, 2. are, 3. has, 4. go, 5. flies, 6. eat, 7. plays
π‘ Conclusion
Mastering subject-verb agreement is a crucial step in becoming a confident and effective writer. Keep practicing, and you'll be writing grammatically correct sentences in no time! Remember the basic principles, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.