Subject-verb agreement is one of the essential aspects of English grammar. It is where the verb must agree with the subject in both number and person. If not maintained correctly, it can negatively impact the quality of the written material and make it look unprofessional.
Here are ten rules to guide you when it comes to subject-verb agreement:
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural ones. For instance, “The dog barks” and “The dogs bark.”
2. Pronouns are a bit tricky, so be sure to use the correct one. Singular pronouns like “he,” “she,” “it” takes a singular verb. On the other hand, plural pronouns such as “they,” “we,” and “you” requires a plural verb.
3. Collective nouns are treated as either singular or plural depending on the context of the sentence. For example, “The team is playing” and “The team are arguing.”
4. When connected by “and,” the subject becomes plural, and the verb takes a plural form. For example, “The dog and the cat play” and “The boys and girls dance.”
5. When connected by “or/nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For instance, “Either the dog or the cat is missing.”
6. In sentences beginning with “there,” the verb takes its agreement with the following subject. For example, “There is a pen on the table.”
7. In compound subjects, when joined by “either/or” or “neither/nor,” the verb should match the closest subject. For example, “Neither the cat nor the dog is hungry.”
8. For quantities such as fractions, percentages, time, and money, the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. For example, “Two-thirds of the pizza is untouched.”
9. Indefinite pronouns like “anyone” and “no one” are singular and require a singular verb. For example, “No one is perfect.”
10. Titles, names, and other singular words that end with an “s” are treated as singular and require a singular verb. For instance, “The news is on” and “The United States is a beautiful country.”
Maintaining proper subject-verb agreement is crucial for ensuring clear and effective communication in writing. By following these rules, you can improve the quality of your writing and make it more professional and engaging to readers.