How to find subject-verb agreement errors in your writing

📚 Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental principle in English grammar, ensuring that the grammatical number of the subject matches the grammatical number of the verb. Simply put, if your subject is singular, your verb must also be singular. If your subject is plural, your verb must be plural. This agreement is crucial for clear, coherent, and grammatically correct sentences, making your writing easier to understand and more professional.

📜 The Evolution of Grammatical Agreement

The concept of agreement between parts of speech has deep roots in many Indo-European languages, including Old English. Over centuries, as English evolved, many of its complex inflections (word endings that indicate grammatical function) simplified. While Modern English has fewer overt agreement markers than, say, Latin or German, subject-verb agreement remains a vital remnant, particularly in the present tense. This persistence highlights its importance in maintaining logical sentence structure and conveying precise meaning.

🔍 Essential Strategies to Spot Errors

• 🎯 Isolate the Subject and Verb: The first step is always to correctly identify the true subject of the sentence and its corresponding verb. Sometimes, other words might distract you, but focus on the core action and the performer of that action.
• ↔️ Check for Number Match: Once you have the subject and verb, determine if both are singular or plural. A singular subject (e.g., "cat") takes a singular verb (e.g., "runs"), while a plural subject (e.g., "cats") takes a plural verb (e.g., "run").
• 🚧 Beware of Intervening Phrases: Phrases or clauses that come between the subject and the verb often cause confusion. Words like "along with," "as well as," "in addition to," or prepositional phrases (e.g., "of the students") do not change the number of the subject. Example: The box of chocolates is on the table. (Subject: "box," not "chocolates").
• 🤝 Identify Compound Subjects: When two or more subjects are joined by "and," they usually form a plural subject and require a plural verb. Example: John and Mary are going to the party. However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity or idea (e.g., "peanut butter and jelly" as one sandwich), it takes a singular verb.
• ❓ Watch for Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, every, either, neither, anyone, someone, everyone, no one, anybody, somebody, everybody, nobody, everything, something, anything, nothing) and require a singular verb. Others are always plural (e.g., both, few, many, several) and take a plural verb. A few can be singular or plural depending on context (e.g., all, any, none, most, some).
• 🔄 Inverted Sentences: In sentences where the subject comes after the verb (often in questions or sentences starting with "there" or "here"), it's crucial to find the subject first. Example: There are many reasons for this. (Subject: "reasons").
• 👥 Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee, audience, class) can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members. If acting as a unit, use a singular verb; if members are acting individually, use a plural verb.
• 📏 Units of Measurement/Time: When a quantity or amount is considered a single unit, use a singular verb. Example: Ten miles is a long distance. Five dollars is enough.

📝 Practical Examples and Corrections

💡 Mastering Agreement for Clearer Writing

Spotting subject-verb agreement errors might seem daunting at first, but with consistent practice and a systematic approach, it becomes second nature. By diligently identifying the true subject and its corresponding verb, and being mindful of common pitfalls like intervening phrases or indefinite pronouns, you'll significantly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Keep practicing, and your sentences will soon flow with impeccable grammatical harmony!