Subject verb agreement is a fundamental rule of grammar, but one that is often overlooked or misunderstood. It is the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence, which means the subject and verb must match in terms of number. Failure to do so can result in confusing, awkward, and incorrect sentences. In this article, we will look at the most common subject verb agreement errors and how to avoid them.
Error #1: Subject-verb disagreement with compound subjects
A compound subject consists of two or more nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases joined by a conjunction (and, or, nor). In this case, the verb must agree with the plural subject. For example:
Incorrect: The dog and the cat likes to play.
Correct: The dog and the cat like to play.
Error #2: Incorrect verb form with singular nouns ending in ‘s’
Some singular nouns end in ‘s’ and can be mistaken for plural nouns. In this case, the verb must be in the singular form. For example:
Incorrect: Physics are my favorite subject.
Correct: Physics is my favorite subject.
Error #3: Incorrect verb form with collective nouns
Collective nouns refer to groups of people, animals, or things, such as team, family, group, or herd. In this case, the verb form can be singular or plural depending on the context. For example:
Incorrect: The team are all wearing their uniforms.
Correct: The team is all wearing their uniforms.
Error #4: Incorrect verb form with indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns, such as anyone, someone, nobody, everybody, each, and every, are singular and require a singular verb form. For example:
Incorrect: Everyone have their own opinion.
Correct: Everyone has their own opinion.
Error #5: Incorrect verb form with compound verbs
Compound verbs consist of two or more verbs joined by a conjunction (and, or, nor). In this case, the subject and verb must agree in number. For example:
Incorrect: The student is studying and taking exams.
Correct: The student is studying and taking an exam.
In conclusion, subject verb agreement is essential to ensuring clear, concise writing. Avoiding these common errors will help you write more effectively and avoid misunderstandings. Remember to always match your subject and verb in terms of number, and pay attention to the context and the type of subject in each sentence.
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