Subject-Verb Agreement Basics Quiz

Subject-Verb Agreement: Understanding the Basics

Graphic Overview

In English grammar, subject-verb agreement refers to the relationship between the subject (the thing doing the action) and the verb (the action itself) in a sentence. The verb must agree with the subject in terms of number, meaning that singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs. Additionally, there are several rules to consider when determining subject-verb agreement, such as using the correct verb form based on the subject's position in the sentence and understanding the context of the sentence.

Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement

Singular Subjects

1. A singular subject must have a singular verb. Example: "The cat runs."
2. When using the singular "they," use plural verb forms. Example: "The participant expressed satisfaction with their job."

Plural Subjects

1. A plural subject must have a plural verb. Example: "They write every day."
2. When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must agree with the subject. Example: "Interviews are one way to collect data and allow researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of participants."

Compound Subjects

1. When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb. Example: "The doctoral student and the committee members write every day."
2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a singular verb. Example: "The student or the committee members write every day."
3. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb. Example: "The student or the committee members write every day."

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered singular and take a singular verb, such as group, team, committee, class, and family. However, the plural verb is used if the focus is on the individuals in the group.

Exceptional Cases

There are some cases where the subject-verb agreement may not be as straightforward as the rules above. These include:

• Subjects modified by quantifiers such as "each," "every," or "all"
• Subjects connected by "but" or "not"
• Subjects introduced by "there is" or "there are"
• Subjects preceded by adverbs like "only," "even," or "also"
• Special cases involving "none" or "some"

These exceptional cases often require additional context and understanding to determine the appropriate verb form. It is essential to consider the specific situation and the intended meaning when determining subject-verb agreement in these scenarios.