Subject and verb agreement is one of the most essential components of proper grammar. In order to write and speak fluently, it is important to ensure that the subject and verb agree with each other in number and person. In this article, we will discuss 20 rules of subject and verb agreement that will improve your writing and communication skills.
1. Rule of Thumb
The rule of thumb for subject and verb agreement is that the subject of a sentence must agree in number and person with the verb. In other words, singular subjects take singular verbs while plural subjects take plural verbs.
2. Singular Subjects
Singular subjects refer to one person, place, thing, or idea. For example, “The dog barks.” In this sentence, “dog” is a singular subject, and “barks” is a singular verb.
3. Plural Subjects
Plural subjects refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. For example, “The dogs bark.” In this sentence, “dogs” is a plural subject, and “bark” is a plural verb.
4. Singular Verb Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the rule of using singular verbs with singular subjects. For example, when the subject is “each,” “every,” or “no,” the verb is singular. For instance, “Each dog barks at night.”
5. Plural Verb Exceptions
Similarly, there are exceptions to using plural verbs with plural subjects. For example, when the subject is “none,” “few,” or “many,” the verb is plural. For instance, “Many dogs bark at night.”
6. Compound Subjects
When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” the verb is plural. For example, “John and Jane play tennis.”
7. Singular Verb with Compound Subjects
When two or more singular subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb is singular. For example, “Neither the cat nor the dog eats carrots.”
8. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things. When used as a subject, collective nouns can take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is acting as a unit or as individuals. For example, “The team is playing well” versus “The team are playing well.”
9. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns such as “everyone,” “someone,” or “anyone” take singular verbs. For example, “Everyone deserves a break.”
10. Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects Connected by “And”
When two indefinite pronouns are used as subjects and are joined by “and,” the verb is plural. For example, “Everyone and someone knows the answer.”
11. Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects Connected by “Or” or “Nor”
When two indefinite pronouns are used as subjects and joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the nearer subject. For example, “Neither John nor anyone else has the key.”
12. Interruptions
When a sentence is interrupted by a phrase or clause, the subject and verb remain in agreement. For example, “The boy, who was running in the park, fell down.”
13. Titles and Names
Titles and names that refer to a single person take a singular verb. For example, “The President is speaking.”
14. Titles and Names of Groups
Titles and names of groups take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is acting as a unit or as individuals. For example, “The jury is deliberating” versus “The jury are arguing among themselves.”
15. Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases do not affect subject-verb agreement. For example, “The boy with the glasses is studying.”
16. Intervening Phrases
Intervening phrases, such as relative clauses, do not affect subject-verb agreement. For example, “The girl, who was singing loudly, won the competition.”
17. Inverted Sentences
Inverted sentences, where the subject comes after the verb, still require subject-verb agreement. For example, “Up the hill runs the boy.”
18. Verb Phrases
Verb phrases, such as the auxiliary verbs “have,” “be,” and “do,” are not included in subject-verb agreement. For example, “The boys have been playing all day.”
19. Infinitives
Infinitives, which are verbs preceded by “to,” do not affect subject-verb agreement. For example, “To dance is fun.”
20. Subject-Verb Agreement with “Neither/Nor”
When using “neither/nor” with a singular subject, the verb must be singular. For example, “Neither John nor Mary is coming.” When using “neither/nor” with a plural subject, the verb must be plural. For example, “Neither the boys nor the girls are coming.”
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of proper grammar. By following the 20 rules discussed in this article, you`ll be able to ensure that your writing and communication skills are top-notch. Remember, practice makes perfect!