Verbs are an essential part of any sentence; they help convey the action being performed. But when it comes to verb agreement, things can get a little tricky. Verb agreement refers to the match between the subject and the verb’s tense, number, and person. As a professional, I am here to guide you through the rules of verb agreement with examples.
1. Subject-Verb Agreement:
The most basic rule of verb agreement is making sure the verb agrees with the subject in number and person. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. This rule applies to all tenses.
Examples:
– She writes a blog every day.
– They write blogs every day.
2. Compound Subjects:
When there are two or more subjects in a sentence, it is called a compound subject. The verb needs to agree with the compound subject in number and person. If the subjects are joined by “and,” then the verb is plural. However, if the subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
Examples:
– John and Jane go to the movies every weekend.
– Either John or Jane goes to the movies every weekend.
3. Indefinite Pronouns:
Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that refer to no specific person or thing. Words like anybody, everyone, nobody, etc., are indefinite pronouns. When using indefinite pronouns as subjects, you must use a singular verb.
Examples:
– Nobody knows the answer to that question.
– Each of us is responsible for our own actions.
4. Collective Nouns:
A collective noun refers to a group of people or things. Examples include team, family, audience, etc. When the collective noun acts as a single unit, the verb is singular. However, when the members of the group are acting independently, the verb is plural.
Examples:
– The team is playing well this season.
– The family are arguing about where to go on vacation.
5. Subject-Verb Agreement in Special Cases:
Some types of sentences can be challenging to get the verb agreement right. Below are examples of some special cases:
– Singular subjects joined by “with,” “as well as,” or “along with” require a singular verb.
Example: The teacher, along with her students, is going on a field trip.
– When a noun with multiple words acts as a single subject, the verb must match the number of the last word in the noun.
Example: The cost of books and tuition is expensive.
– With “there” and “here” constructions, the verb agrees with the subject that comes after the verb.
Example: There are two people waiting for you outside.
In conclusion, verb agreement is an essential aspect of structuring grammatically correct sentences. Following these verb agreement rules will help ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and professional. Remember to pay attention to subject-verb agreement when editing your work. A simple mistake can distort the message you are trying to convey.