Subject-verb agreement is an important aspect of grammar that every writer should understand. It refers to the concept that a verb must agree with its subject in terms of number, tense, and person. In simpler terms, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should agree in the same way. In this article, we will provide you with a few simple examples of subject-verb agreement to help you understand this concept better.
Example 1: Singular Subject and Singular Verb
The most straightforward example of subject-verb agreement is when the subject is singular, and the verb is also singular. The verb should always take an “s” at the end when the subject is a third-person singular pronoun or noun. For example:
– John runs to the park every day.
In this sentence, “John” is the singular subject, and “runs” is the singular verb that agrees with the subject.
Example 2: Plural Subject and Plural Verb
When the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural, and it should not take an “s” at the end. Here`s an example:
– The students study for their exams every week.
In this sentence, “students” is the plural subject, and “study” is the plural verb that agrees with the subject.
Example 3: Compound Subject
A compound subject is made up of two or more subjects that share the same verb. In this case, the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. Here`s an example:
– Jenny and her friends are going to the movies tonight.
In this sentence, “Jenny and her friends” is the compound subject, and “are” is the plural verb that agrees with the subject closest to it, which is “friends.”
Example 4: Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, or things that are seen as a single entity. These nouns can be singular or plural, depending on how they are used in the sentence. For example:
– The team is playing well this season. (singular)
– The team are arguing about who gets to take the final shot. (plural)
In the first example, “team” is a singular noun, and “is” is the singular verb that agrees with the subject. In the second example, “team” is treated as a plural noun because the members of the team are seen as individuals. Hence, “are” is the plural verb that agrees with the subject.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is essential to make your writing clear and understandable. These simple examples of subject-verb agreement will help you ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and effective. Remember to always check your subject and verb to ensure that they are in agreement, regardless of how complex the sentence may be.