What Are the Rules on Subject Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental principle of grammar that ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence agree with each other in terms of number and person. In simpler terms, it means that singular subjects are paired with singular verbs, and plural subjects are paired with plural verbs.

The following are some essential rules on subject-verb agreement which will help you to write error-free content.

1. The verb must agree with its subject in terms of the number.

The verb in a sentence must agree with its subject in terms of number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

For example:

– The cat chases the mouse. (singular subject and singular verb)

– The cats chase the mice. (plural subject and plural verb)

2. Compound subjects joined by `and` require a plural verb.

When two or more singular subjects are joined by „and,“ the verb must be plural.

For example:

– Tom and Jerry are watching cartoons. (plural subject and plural verb)

3. Singular subjects joined by `or` or `nor` require a singular verb.

When two singular subjects are joined by „or“ or „nor,“ the verb must be singular.

For example:

– Either Tom or Jerry is coming with us. (singular subject and singular verb)

4. When the subject and the verb are separated by a phrase, the verb must still agree with the subject.

If there is a phrase between the subject and the verb, the verb must agree with the subject, even if the phrase contains a singular or plural noun.

For example:

– One of the cats in the yard is black. (singular subject and singular verb)

5. Collective nouns can be either singular or plural.

Collective nouns are nouns that refer to a group of people or things. These nouns can be singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence.

For example:

– The team is taking the field. (singular subject and singular verb)

– The team are playing well. (plural subject and plural verb)

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential rule that every writer needs to follow. By ensuring that your subjects and verbs agree in number and person, you can ensure that your writing is not only grammatically correct but also clear and effective in communicating your message. So, next time you write, pay attention to subject-verb agreement, and your writing will be all the better for it.