Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammatical principle in English. It refers to the consistent pairing of subjects and their corresponding verbs in a sentence. This principle is critical in ensuring that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. However, for many writers, subject-verb agreement can be a challenging area to navigate. In this article, we`ll provide some subject-verb agreement help to help you improve your writing skills.
1. Identify the Subject and Verb
The first step in achieving subject-verb agreement is to identify the subject and verb in a sentence. The subject refers to the person, place, or thing that performs the action in the sentence. The verb, on the other hand, is the action being performed. For example, in the sentence “The dog barks,” the subject is “the dog” and the verb is “barks.” It is essential to ensure that the subject and verb agree in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third) for the sentence to make sense.
2. Know the Basic Rules
There are several basic rules that can make subject-verb agreement easier to understand. Here are a few examples:
– Singular subjects take singular verbs.
– Plural subjects require plural verbs.
– When a compound subject is joined by “and,” use a plural verb.
– When a compound subject is joined by “or” or “nor,” use a singular verb that agrees with the subject closest to the verb.
– When a collective noun is used as a single unit, use a singular verb. However, if the collective noun refers to individuals within the group, use a plural verb.
3. Watch Out for Tricky Cases
While the basic rules of subject-verb agreement are relatively straightforward, there are some tricky cases that require special attention. These cases include:
– Indefinite pronouns such as “everyone” or “somebody” take a singular verb.
– Relative pronouns such as “who” or “that” take a singular or plural verb depending on the antecedent.
– Intervening phrases, clauses, or words should not affect the agreement between the subject and verb.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice
One of the best ways to improve your subject-verb agreement skills is by practicing. Take some time to write sentences using different subjects and verbs. Challenge yourself by incorporating tricky cases to test your knowledge. Also, consider using online tools that provide subject-verb agreement help, such as Grammarly or ProWritingAid.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a critical principle in English grammar. By understanding the basic rules, watching out for tricky cases, and practicing regularly, you can improve your writing skills and create clear, concise, and grammatically correct content.