Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of effective writing, but it can be confusing at times. The basic rule is that the verb must agree with the subject in both tense and number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. However, there are a few tricky situations to watch out for, especially when it comes to more complex sentence structures.
Here are a few common examples of subject-verb agreement mistakes to avoid:
1. Compound Subjects
When two or more subjects are connected by «and», the verb should be plural. For example:
– John and Jane are going to the movies tonight.
However, when two subjects are connected by «or» or «nor», the verb should agree with the subject closer to the verb. For example:
– Neither John nor Jane is going to the movies tonight.
2. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns, such as «everyone» and «anyone», can be tricky because they can be either singular or plural depending on the context. For example:
– Everyone is welcome to join us for dinner. (singular)
– Everyone brought their own dish to share. (plural)
In general, it`s best to use singular verbs with indefinite pronouns unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
3. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns, such as «team» and «family», can also be tricky because they refer to a group of people or things but are singular in form. For example:
– The team is practicing for the big game. (singular)
– The family have decided to go on vacation together. (plural)
Again, context is key. If the collective noun refers to a single entity or group, use a singular verb. If it refers to a group of individuals, use a plural verb.
4. Interrupting Phrases
When there is an interrupting phrase between the subject and verb, it`s important to remember that the subject still determines the form of the verb. For example:
– The book, along with the pen and paper, belongs to me.
In this example, «book» is the subject, so the verb «belongs» is singular.
When in doubt, it`s always a good idea to double-check your subject-verb agreement to ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and effective. By following these basic rules and avoiding common mistakes, you can improve the clarity and impact of your writing and get your message across to your readers. As a professional, I advise writers to pay close attention to subject-verb agreement to ensure that their content is optimized for search engines and engaging for readers.