Subject verb agreement is a crucial element of writing that often goes unnoticed by readers, but it can make a big difference in the clarity and effectiveness of your message. Put simply, subject verb agreement refers to making sure that the verb in a sentence agrees with the subject in terms of number and person. This may sound straightforward, but it can be tricky when dealing with certain words and phrases. In this article, we`ll take a look at some subject verb agreement examples words that writers commonly struggle with.
1. Collective Nouns
A collective noun refers to a group of people or things working together as a single unit. Examples of collective nouns include “team,” “family,” and “committee.” When using a collective noun as the subject of a sentence, it`s important to remember that the verb should agree with the noun`s singular or plural form.
Example: The team is preparing for the playoffs. (singular)
The teams are preparing for the playoffs. (plural)
2. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people or things. Examples of indefinite pronouns include “someone,” “everyone,” and “anything.” When using an indefinite pronoun as the subject of a sentence, the verb should agree with the pronoun`s singular or plural form.
Example: Everyone in the class is excited about the field trip. (singular)
Some of the students are nervous about the presentation. (plural)
3. Compound Subjects
A compound subject is when two or more nouns or pronouns are joined by “and” and serve as the subject of a sentence. When using a compound subject, the verb should agree with the plural form of the nouns or pronouns.
Example: The dog and the cat are playing in the yard. (plural)
4. Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns refer to nouns or pronouns in a previous sentence and connect two related clauses. Examples of relative pronouns include “who,” “whom,” and “that.” When using a relative pronoun as the subject of a sentence, the verb should agree with the noun or pronoun being referred to.
Example: The student who won the scholarship is very talented. (singular)
The students who won the scholarships are very talented. (plural)
5. Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases are phrases that begin with a preposition (such as “in,” “on,” or “at”) and describe the relationship between two words in a sentence. When a prepositional phrase comes between the subject and the verb, it can be easy to lose track of the subject. However, the verb should always agree with the subject.
Example: The book on the shelf is mine. (singular)
The books on the shelves are mine. (plural)
In conclusion, subject verb agreement is an essential part of clear and effective writing. By paying attention to the examples of words and phrases we`ve discussed, you can ensure that your subjects and verbs are always in agreement, and your writing is grammatically correct.