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Questions and Answers
In the sentence 'They come tomorrow,' what is the subject-verb agreement based on?
In the sentence 'They come tomorrow,' what is the subject-verb agreement based on?
Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement for plural subjects?
Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement for plural subjects?
What is the subject-verb agreement in the sentence 'The student speaks French' based on?
What is the subject-verb agreement in the sentence 'The student speaks French' based on?
Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement for singular subjects?
Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement for singular subjects?
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How does subject-verb agreement help readers understand a sentence?
How does subject-verb agreement help readers understand a sentence?
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What happens to verbs when referring to singular nouns in terms of subject-verb agreement?
What happens to verbs when referring to singular nouns in terms of subject-verb agreement?
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What type of verb should be used when the subject of a sentence is singular?
What type of verb should be used when the subject of a sentence is singular?
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If the subject of a sentence is 'apples,' what type of verb should be used?
If the subject of a sentence is 'apples,' what type of verb should be used?
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When dealing with multiple individuals, what is essential for clear and coherent sentences?
When dealing with multiple individuals, what is essential for clear and coherent sentences?
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Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
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Why is subject-verb agreement important in writing and speaking?
Why is subject-verb agreement important in writing and speaking?
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Study Notes
Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical concept that ensures consistency between subject and verb forms within a sentence. This means using singular verbs when referring to single nouns, and plural verbs when referring to multiple nouns. Here's a breakdown of how this applies to different types of sentences:
Plural Subjects With Plural Verbs
When the subject of a sentence refers to more than one person or thing, it needs to match up with a plural form of the verb. For instance, if you have two friends coming over, you would say "They come tomorrow." Notice here that 'they' is plural because there are multiple people being referred to by the pronoun, so the verb is also made plural ("come") to agree with it.
Another example might be "The students spoke French," where 'students' is plural and the verb 'spoke' matches its number. This helps readers quickly understand the relationship between the subject and the action performed.
Singular Subjects With Singular Verbs
Conversely, if only one person or thing is being mentioned, their corresponding verb should also be singular. Consider the phrase "He walks every day," where the man going for daily strolls is represented by the singular pronoun "he." Since there is just one individual involved, his actions should likewise be described using a singular verb like "walks."
This principle even extends beyond personal pronouns; if we were talking about apples being eaten by someone, we wouldn't say "apples was eaten" since 'apples' is singular while 'eaten' is plural. Instead, we'd correctly state "Apples were eaten."
In summary, whether dealing with singular or plural subjects, ensuring proper subject-verb agreement keeps sentences clear and coherent - making them easier for others to follow. So next time you write or speak, remember this rule of thumb: matching up subjects with appropriate verbs will make your writing much smoother!
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Description
Learn about the grammatical concept of subject-verb agreement, where singular subjects should be paired with singular verbs and plural subjects with plural verbs. Explore examples of sentences showcasing proper agreement between subjects and verbs to enhance clarity and coherence in writing.