Subject-Verb Agreement: What is it and why does it matter?

Question

Hey everyone! 👋 Need some help with subject-verb agreement? It can be tricky, but it's super important for clear writing. Let's break it down and make it easy! 🤓

warren.jessica99 · Accepted Answer

📚 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. It’s that simple! Misusing this basic rule can make your writing confusing. 📝

📜 A Brief HistoryThe concept of grammatical agreement has been around for centuries, dating back to the development of structured languages. As English evolved, so did its rules of agreement. While some aspects have simplified over time, subject-verb agreement remains a cornerstone of standard English.

🔑 Key Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement

👤 Singular Subjects Take Singular Verbs: For example, "He runs quickly."
  👥 Plural Subjects Take Plural Verbs: For example, "They run quickly."
  🤝 Compound Subjects Joined by "and": Generally take a plural verb. For example, "John and Mary are going to the store."
  🙅 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."
  🤔 Indefinite Pronouns: Pronouns like 'each,' 'every,' 'somebody,' and 'nobody' are singular. For example, "Each of the students has finished the test."
   коллекция Collective Nouns: Nouns like 'team,' 'family,' and 'committee' 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 strategy." (as individuals).
   ❓ Questions: In questions, ensure the verb agrees with the subject following it. For example, "Are the books on the table?"

🌍 Real-World Examples
Let's look at some examples to solidify your understanding:

Sentence
    Explanation

The cat sits on the mat.
    Singular subject (cat) with a singular verb (sits).

The cats sit on the mat.
    Plural subject (cats) with a plural verb (sit).

He and I are going to the park.
    Compound subject (He and I) with a plural verb (are).

Either the dog or the cats are going to be fed.
    The verb agrees with the closest subject (cats).

✍ Practice Quiz
Choose the correct form of the verb in the following sentences:

📚 Each of the books (is/are) interesting.
   🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The team (is/are) working well together.
   🐶 The dog and the cat (sleep/sleeps) all day.
   🍎 Either the apple or the oranges (is/are) on the table.
   🙋‍♀️ She (run/runs) very fast.
   🧑‍🏫 The teacher (explain/explains) the lesson clearly.
   👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 My family (is/are) very supportive.

Answers: 1. is, 2. is, 3. sleep, 4. is, 5. runs, 6. explains, 7. is (in most contexts; 'are' could be correct if emphasizing individual family members' actions)

🎯 Conclusion
Mastering subject-verb agreement is vital for clear and effective communication. With practice and attention to these principles, you can confidently improve your writing skills. Keep practicing! 🎉

Subject-Verb Agreement: What is it and why does it matter?

1 Answers

📚 What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

📜 A Brief History

🔑 Key Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement

🌍 Real-World Examples

✍ Practice Quiz

🎯 Conclusion

Join the discussion

Sentence	Explanation
The cat sits on the mat.	Singular subject (cat) with a singular verb (sits).
The cats sit on the mat.	Plural subject (cats) with a plural verb (sit).
He and I are going to the park.	Compound subject (He and I) with a plural verb (are).
Either the dog or the cats are going to be fed.	The verb agrees with the closest subject (cats).