5 Tips Subject Verb Agreement

Understanding Subject Verb Agreement

Subject verb agreement is a fundamental concept in English grammar that can often be confusing, even for native speakers. It refers to the rule that the verb in a sentence must agree with the subject in number, which means it must be either singular or plural. In this article, we will explore 5 tips to help you master subject verb agreement and improve your writing skills.

Tip 1: Identify the Subject

To apply subject verb agreement correctly, you first need to identify the subject of the sentence. The subject is the noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. It can be a simple subject, which is just one noun or pronoun, or a compound subject, which is made up of two or more nouns or pronouns joined by “and” or “or.” For example: - Simple subject: The dog runs quickly. - Compound subject: The dog and the cat run quickly.

Tip 2: Determine the Number of the Subject

Once you have identified the subject, you need to determine whether it is singular or plural. A singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb. For example: - Singular subject: The cat sleeps all day. - Plural subject: The cats sleep all day.

Tip 3: Watch Out for Tricky Subjects

Some subjects can be tricky when it comes to subject verb agreement. These include: - Collective nouns: These are nouns that refer to a group of people or things, such as team, family, or herd. They can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. For example: - The team is playing well. (Here, the team is considered as a single unit.) - The team are arguing with each other. (Here, the team is considered as individual members.) - Indefinite pronouns: These are pronouns that do not refer to a specific person or thing, such as someone, anyone, or nothing. They are usually singular. For example: - Someone is at the door. - Plural nouns that end in -s: These can sometimes be confusing, but they are always plural. For example: - The news is interesting. (Here, “news” is an exception and is considered singular.)

Tip 4: Use the Correct Verb Form

When you have determined the number of the subject, you need to use the correct form of the verb. In English, verbs change form to indicate whether they are singular or plural. For example: - The base form of the verb to walk is the same for both singular and plural subjects: I walk, they walk. - The verb to be changes form: I am, they are.

Tip 5: Practice, Practice, Practice

Like any skill, mastering subject verb agreement takes practice. The more you practice, the more natural it will become. Try writing sentences with different subjects and verbs, and check whether the verb agrees with the subject. You can also read books and articles and pay attention to how the authors use subject verb agreement.

Subject	Verb
Singular noun	Singular verb
Plural noun	Plural verb
Collective noun (considered as a unit)	Singular verb
Collective noun (considered as individual members)	Plural verb

📝 Note: Subject verb agreement can be complex, and there are many exceptions to the rules. However, by following these 5 tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your understanding and use of subject verb agreement in your writing.

As we have seen, subject verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar that can make or break the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. By identifying the subject, determining its number, watching out for tricky subjects, using the correct verb form, and practicing regularly, you can master subject verb agreement and take your writing to the next level. Remember, the key to good writing is practice, so keep writing and editing, and you will see improvement over time.