Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that states that the verb in a sentence must agree with the subject in both number and person. It is vital in creating a clear and error-free sentence. In this article, we will discuss the different kinds of subject-verb agreement.
1. Singular subject and singular verb
When the subject is singular, the verb used in the sentence must also be singular. For example:
– The cat meows at night.
The subject, “cat,” is singular, and the verb, “meows,” is also singular.
2. Plural subject and plural verb
When the subject is plural, the verb used in the sentence must also be plural. For example:
– The dogs bark in the morning.
The subject, “dogs,” is plural, and the verb, “bark,” is also plural.
3. Indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that do not refer to a specific person or thing. When using indefinite pronouns as the subject of a sentence, it is essential to understand that some indefinite pronouns are singular, and some are plural. Examples of singular indefinite pronouns are “everyone,” “somebody,” and “nobody,” while examples of plural indefinite pronouns are “all,” “some,” and “many.” For example:
– Everyone needs to bring their own lunch.
The subject, “everyone,” is singular, and the verb, “needs,” is also singular. However, the pronoun, “their,” is plural.
– Some of the students are attending the seminar.
The subject, “students,” is plural, and the verb, “are attending,” is also plural.
4. Compound subjects
A compound subject occurs when two or more subjects are present in one sentence. When this happens, the verb used in the sentence must agree with the subject nearest to it. For example:
– The book and the pen are on the table.
The subject, “book,” is singular, and the subject, “pen,” is also singular. However, since they are used as a compound subject, the verb used, “are,” is plural.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that should not be overlooked. By understanding the different kinds of subject-verb agreement, you can create effective and grammatically correct sentences. Remember to pay attention to indefinite pronouns and compound subjects, as they can often lead to subject-verb agreement errors.