Subject-Verb Agreement in English Grammar

Study Notes

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of grammar in English and many other languages. It refers to the rule that the verb in a sentence must match the number, person, and gender of the subject. A singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb. This rule ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence agree on the number, helping the reader understand who or what is doing the action.

Singular Subjects

A singular subject requires a singular verb. For example:

She spends her free time listening to music. (singular subject with singular verb)
Blaine and Kurt play the piano. (plural subject with plural verb)

In the sentence "Rachel spends her free time listening to music," the subject "Rachel" is singular, so the verb "spends" must also be singular. In the sentence "Blaine and Kurt play the piano," the subject "Blaine and Kurt" is plural, so the verb "play" must also be plural.

Plural Subjects

A plural subject requires a plural verb. For example:

The amenities of the farmhouse are quite impressive. (singular subject with singular verb)
Man and woman are complementary to each other. (plural subject with plural verb)

In the sentence "The amenities of the farmhouse are quite impressive," the subject "amenities" is plural, so the verb "are" must also be plural. In the sentence "Man and woman are complementary to each other," the subject "man and woman" is plural, so the verb "are" must also be plural.

Compound Subjects

When two or more subjects are linked to one verb, these are called compound subjects. To decide whether to use a singular or plural verb, consider how the subjects are linked.

Subjects linked with "and"

When subjects are linked with "and," use a plural verb. For example:

A bicycle and a pedestrian were involved. (plural subject with plural verb)
The goose and the chickens eat. (plural subject with plural verb)

In the sentence "A bicycle and a pedestrian were involved," the subjects "bicycle" and "pedestrian" are linked with "and," so the verb "were" must also be plural. In the sentence "The goose and the chickens eat," the subjects "goose" and "chickens" are linked with "and," so the verb "eat" must also be plural.

Nouns and Verbs

Subject-verb agreement applies to nouns and verbs in a sentence. Nouns can be singular or plural, depending on the context in which they are used. Verbs must agree in number with the subject they are associated with.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns can take either a singular or a plural verb, depending on the context. If the collective noun is taken to represent the group as one whole, then the singular form of the verb is used. For example:

The diversity committee was well represented at the last board meeting. (singular subject with singular verb)

If individual members are implied, then the verb takes the plural form:

The committee were voting on the representative to the board of directors' meeting. (plural subject with plural verb)

Nouns with Plural Form

Some nouns occur only in plural form, but they are singular nouns and take a singular verb. For example:

Ethics is an important component of human study. (singular subject with singular verb)

Plural Nouns of Latin Origin

Plural nouns of Latin origin take plural verbs. For example:

Very little data was provided to substantiate the hypothesis. (plural subject with plural verb)

Collective Nouns and Time

Subject-verb agreement also applies to collective nouns that refer to time. Time and amount nouns take a singular verb. For example:

Forty thousand is an average starting salary for a Computer Science graduate. (singular subject with singular verb)
The Netherlands is a European country that borders Belgium. (singular subject with singular verb)

Correcting Errors

To correct subject-verb agreement errors, identify the subject and the verb in a sentence, and ensure that they agree in number. Incorrect:

My friend, with his parents, are flying in today to visit me and my family.

Correction:

My friend, with his parents, is flying in today to visit me and my family.

Conclusion

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule in English grammar that ensures the subject and verb in a sentence agree on the number. By identifying the subject and verb in a sentence, and ensuring they agree in number, you can improve the clarity and readability of your writing.

Description

Learn about subject-verb agreement, a crucial aspect of grammar where the verb in a sentence must match the number, person, and gender of the subject. This quiz covers singular subjects, plural subjects, compound subjects, collective nouns, correcting errors, and more in subject-verb agreement.