Subject-verb agreement refers to the agreement between the subject of a sentence and its corresponding verb. In other words, the verb used in a sentence must agree with the subject in terms of number and person. Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar, and failure to adhere to it can result in misunderstandings and confusion. As a professional, I have put together a guide on how to find out subject-verb agreement effectively.
Understand the basics
Before we delve into the details of subject-verb agreement, it`s essential to understand the basics. The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that performs the action, and the verb is the action word. The subject and verb must agree in terms of number and person. For example, “He runs” is correct, while “He run” is incorrect.
Identify the subject and verb
To find out subject-verb agreement, you must first identify the subject and verb in the sentence. The subject of the sentence will always be a noun or pronoun, while the verb will always be an action word. For instance, in the sentence, “The cat runs,” the subject is “cat,” and the verb is “runs.”
Match the subject and verb in terms of number and person
Once you have identified the subject and verb, the next step is to match them in terms of number and person. In simple terms, this means ensuring that the verb agrees with the number and person of the subject. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. Similarly, if the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural.
For instance, in the sentence, “The cats run,” the subject is “cats,” which is a plural noun, while the verb is “run,” which is also in the plural form. However, in the sentence, “The cat runs,” the subject is “cat,” which is a singular noun, while the verb is “runs,” which is also in the singular form.
Take note of collective nouns
Collective nouns refer to groups of people, animals, or things and take a singular verb. Examples of collective nouns include team, group, family, and audience. For example, “The audience was impressed,” not “The audience were impressed.” Similarly, “The team has won the championship,” not “The team have won the championship.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of proper grammar that should not be ignored. Understanding the basics, identifying the subject and verb, and matching them in terms of number and person can help you find out subject-verb agreement effectively. Additionally, it`s essential to take note of collective nouns since they take a singular verb. By following these tips, you can improve your writing and avoid grammar mistakes.