Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of English grammar that governs the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. It ensures that the verb agrees with the number and person of the subject. In simple terms, this means that if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Let`s take a closer look at subject-verb agreement with some examples:
1. Singular subjects and verbs: When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular.
Example: The dog barks loudly.
In this sentence, “dog” is the singular subject, and “barks” is the singular verb.
2. Plural subjects and verbs: When the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Example: The dogs bark loudly.
In this sentence, “dogs” is the plural subject, and “bark” is the plural verb.
3. Singular subject, plural verb: Sometimes, a sentence may have a singular subject but require a plural verb. This can occur with certain irregular verbs such as “have” and “do” in certain tenses.
Example: She has three cats.
In this sentence, “she” is the singular subject, but “has” is the plural verb in the present tense.
4. Compound subjects and verbs: When a sentence has two or more subjects joined by “and,” the verb must be plural.
Example: John and Sarah are going to the movies.
In this sentence, “John and Sarah” is a compound subject, and “are” is the plural verb.
5. Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns such as “everyone,” “someone,” and “anyone” are always singular, and the verb must agree with them accordingly.
Example: Everyone is invited to the party.
In this sentence, “everyone” is the singular indefinite pronoun, and “is” is the singular verb.
Subject-verb agreement is crucial to ensure that sentences are grammatically correct and easy to read. As a copy editor, it is important to be familiar with subject-verb agreement rules and to check for consistency throughout a piece of writing. By mastering subject-verb agreement, writers can create clear and effective sentences that convey their intended meaning.
