Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of writing that ensures clarity, consistency, and accuracy. In English grammar, the subject-verb agreement refers to the correspondence in number between the subject and the verb of a sentence. When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must be singular as well, and when the subject is plural, the verb must be plural too. However, subject-verb agreement becomes trickier when dealing with certain groups of nouns. In this article, we will discuss subject-verb agreement groups that often pose a challenge for writers and provide some tips on how to navigate them effectively.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, or things. Examples of collective nouns include “team,” “family,” “committee,” “jury,” “audience,” among others. When using collective nouns, it is essential to remember that they can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. If the collective noun refers to the group as a single entity, it should be treated as a singular noun, and the verb should agree accordingly. However, if the collective noun refers to the individuals in the group, it should be treated as a plural noun, and the verb should agree. For instance, “The team is celebrating its victory” refers to the entire team as a single entity, while “The team are celebrating their victories” refers to the individuals in the team celebrating their accomplishments.
Compound Subjects
A compound subject is a subject that consists of two or more nouns joined by a conjunction. When using compound subjects, the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For instance, “My brother and I am going to the park” is incorrect because “I” is singular, while “brother and I” is plural. The correct sentence should be “My brother and I are going to the park,” where the verb “are” agrees with the compound subject “brother and I.”
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
Singular indefinite pronouns refer to a person, place, or thing that is not specifically identified. Examples of singular indefinite pronouns include “anyone,” “someone,” “nobody,” “everybody,” “someone,” among others. When using singular indefinite pronouns, the verb should agree with the pronoun`s singular form. For instance, “Nobody wants to be left behind” is correct because “nobody” is singular, while “Nobody want to be left behind” is incorrect because “want” is plural.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of writing that impacts a text`s clarity, consistency, and accuracy. When dealing with subject-verb agreement groups such as collective nouns, compound subjects, and singular indefinite pronouns, it is essential to pay attention to context and ensure that the verb agrees with the subject. By mastering the rules of subject-verb agreement, writers can communicate their ideas clearly and effectively, and improve their writing`s overall quality.
