Subject-Verb Agreement

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule in English grammar that ensures the verb in a sentence matches the subject in number and person. When we speak of agreement, we mean that the verb changes its form depending on whether the subject is singular or plural, and sometimes based on the person (first, second, third).

Getting subject-verb agreement right is important because it helps sentences sound natural, clear, and grammatically correct. When the subject and verb do not agree, the sentence can become confusing or awkward to the reader or listener.

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Simply put, subject-verb agreement means the verb must agree in number with its subject.

• If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular.
• If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

For example:

Singular: "The cat runs quickly."

Plural: "The cats run quickly."

Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
   Example: "He is happy." / "They are happy."
2. Two subjects joined by "and" usually take a plural verb.
   Example: "The dog and the cat are friends."
3. Subjects joined by "or" or "nor" take the verb that agrees with the subject closest to it.
   Example: "Either the teacher or the students are present."
   "Neither the students nor the teacher is present."
4. Collective nouns usually take singular verbs when considered as one unit.
   Example: "The team wins the match."
5. Some nouns are always singular and take singular verbs.
   Example: "The news is surprising."
6. Some nouns are always plural and take plural verbs.
   Example: "The scissors are sharp."

Common Challenges in Subject-Verb Agreement

• Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, someone take singular verbs.
  Example: "Everyone is invited to the meeting."
• Amounts and quantities may take singular or plural verbs depending on context.
  Example: "Ten dollars is enough." (amount)
  "Ten dollars were spent on books." (items)
• Titles of books, movies, organizations take singular verbs.
  Example: "The Lord of the Rings is a great book."
• Expressions of time, distance, money usually take singular verbs.
  Example: "Five miles is too far."

Why Subject-Verb Agreement Matters

Correct subject-verb agreement not only reflects grammatical accuracy but also enhances clarity. It helps readers understand who or what is doing the action and prevents misunderstandings. Even in casual speech, mismatched subjects and verbs can sound awkward or distract from the message.

As you continue to practice and become more familiar with English sentence structures, observing subject-verb agreement will become more intuitive.

Summary

• The subject and verb must agree in number.
• Pay attention to compound subjects joined by "and," "or," or "nor."
• Be aware of collective nouns and indefinite pronouns.
• Watch out for exceptions involving quantities, titles, and certain nouns.

Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for writing and speaking clearly and correctly. Practice by identifying subjects and verbs in sentences and checking if they match. This will strengthen your confidence and command of English grammar.