Subject-verb agreement is one of the most fundamental rules of grammar. It is important for good communication, as it helps to ensure that the reader understands the writer`s intended meaning. Here are some of the key rules of subject-verb agreement that every professional should know.
1. Singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs.
This is the most basic rule of subject-verb agreement. For example, “The dog barks” is correct because “dog” is a singular subject and “barks” is a singular verb. On the other hand, “The dogs bark” is correct because “dogs” is a plural subject and “bark” is a plural verb.
2. Compound subjects joined by “and” require a plural verb.
When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” the verb must be plural. For example, “Jenny and John are going to the concert” is correct because “Jenny” and “John” are two separate subjects that are both doing the action of going to the concert.
3. Singular subjects joined by “or” or “nor” require a singular verb.
When two or more subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the closest subject. For example, “Either John or Jenny is going to the concert” is correct because “Jenny” is a singular subject and “is” is a singular verb.
4. Collective nouns require a singular or plural verb depending on the context.
Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things. They can be singular or plural depending on the context. For example, “The team is playing well” is correct because “team” is a singular collective noun. On the other hand, “The team are arguing with each other” is correct because “team” is a plural collective noun in this context.
5. Indefinite pronouns require a singular or plural verb depending on the pronoun.
Indefinite pronouns refer to things or people in a non-specific way. The verb that follows them should agree with the pronoun. For example, “Everyone is coming to the party” is correct because “everyone” is a singular indefinite pronoun. On the other hand, “Some of the people are coming to the party” is correct because “people” is a plural indefinite pronoun.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an important rule of grammar that every professional should know. By following these rules, writers can ensure that their writing is clear and easy to understand.