Subject-Verb Agreement: A Vital Rule for Perfect Grammar

Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of perfect grammar in English. It ensures that the subject of the sentence agrees in both number and tense with the verb. This might seem like a simple trick, but it can be a challenge for non-native speakers of English or anyone who is not attentive enough to the rules governing subject-verb agreement. In this article, we will focus on one of the subject-verb agreement rules that can help you improve your writing and communication skills.

The Rule: Singular Subjects Require Singular Verbs, and Plural Subjects Need Plural Verbs.

One of the significant rules of subject-verb agreement is that singular subjects must have singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. In other words, the number of the subject determines the form of the verb. This rule may seem straightforward, but incorrect usage is common even among professional writers.

For instance, here is a sentence that violates the rule:

The team from Wisconsin are playing tonight.

The subject in this sentence is “team,” which is a singular noun. However, the verb “are” is plural, which creates a subject-and-verb agreement error. The correct version should be:

The team from Wisconsin is playing tonight.

The subject, “team,” is singular, and the verb, “is,” is also singular, as it agrees in both number and tense with the subject.

Another example is:

Each of the students in the room have submitted their assignments.

The subject, “Each of the students,” is also singular. However, the verb “have” is plural, and it creates a subject-and-verb agreement error. The correct version should be:

Each of the students in the room has submitted their assignments.

In this case, the verb “has” is singular and agrees with the number of the subject, “Each of the students.”

Final Thoughts

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule of English grammar that cannot be overlooked. It is essential to ensure coherence and clarity in your writing and communication skills. By paying attention to this rule, you can avoid many errors and improve the quality of your writing. Remember always to check the agreement between your subjects and verbs in every sentence you write, and you will be sure to create a perfect piece of writing.