Subject-Verb Agreement in Sentence
Subject-Verb Agreement in Sentence
Subject-Verb Agreement in Sentence
Introduction:
In the realm of grammar, subject-verb agreement is the foundation of constructing coherent and meaningful sentences. It refers to the correlation between the subject of a sentence and the verb, ensuring they match in number (singular or plural). When a sentence is formed, the verb must align with the subject in terms of singular or plural form to maintain grammatical accuracy. Let us discuss the Subject-Verb Agreement in a sentence as under:
Singular Subjects with Singular Verbs:
“The cat ‘is’ sleeping.”
“He ‘runs’ every morning.”
Plural Subjects with Plural Verbs:
“The cats ‘are’ playing.”
“They ‘run’ together.”
Singular Indefinite Pronouns:
Singular indefinite pronouns like ‘everyone,’ ‘someone,’ and ‘nobody’ require singular verbs.
“Everyone ‘is’ welcome.”
“Somebody ‘is’ calling.”
Plural Indefinite Pronouns:
Plural indefinite pronouns such as ‘several,’ ‘few,’ and ‘many’ take plural verbs.
“Many ‘are’ coming.”
“Few ‘were’ present.”
Collective Nouns:
Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs based on the context. If the emphasis is on the group as a whole, use a singular verb. If the emphasis is on the individuals within the group, use a plural verb.
“The team ‘is’ winning.” (Emphasis on the team as a unit)
“The team ‘are’ arguing among themselves.” (Emphasis on individuals)
Examples Demonstrating Subject-Verb Agreement:
Incorrect: “The book on the table ‘is’ mine.”
Correct: “The book on the table ‘is’ mine.”
Incorrect: “The keys to the cabinet ‘is’ missing.”
Correct: “The keys to the cabinet ‘are’ missing.”
Incorrect: “Everybody in the class ‘are’ preparing for the test.”
Correct: “Everybody in the class ‘is’ preparing for the test.”
Incorrect: “The herd of elephants ‘is’ small.”
Correct: “The herd of elephants ‘is’ large.”
Conclusion:
Subject-verb agreement forms the bedrock of grammatically correct sentences. Ensuring the verb aligns with the subject in terms of number is crucial for effective communication. By applying the rules of subject-verb agreement and paying attention to the relationship between subjects and verbs, one can construct sentences that are both grammatically sound and easily comprehensible. Practice and familiarity with these rules will enhance your ability to create clear and accurate sentences. 0 0 0.
Subject-Verb Agreement in Sentence
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