Subject verb agreement is one of the most fundamental aspects of English grammar that needs to be understood by all writers and editors. It involves ensuring that the verb in a sentence agrees in number and person with the subject of the sentence. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if it is plural, so should the verb. In this article, we will look at some examples of subject verb agreement and provide an explanation of the concept.
Example 1: The dog barks at the postman every morning.
In this sentence, “the dog” is the subject, and “barks” is the verb. Since the subject is singular, the verb is also singular. If we were to change the subject to “the dogs”, we would have to change the verb to “bark” to ensure agreement between the subject and the verb.
Example 2: My sister and I enjoy going to the beach together.
In this sentence, “my sister and I” is the compound subject, and “enjoy” is the verb. The subject is plural, so the verb is also plural. Even though there are two people in the subject, it is still considered a singular entity as it refers to the group of two.
Example 3: The committee is ready to present its findings.
In this sentence, “the committee” is the subject, and “is” is the verb. Even though the committee is made up of several individuals, it is treated as a singular entity. This is because committees are considered a single entity, rather than a group of people.
Example 4: Each of the students was given a certificate for their achievements.
In this sentence, “each of the students” is the subject, and “was given” is the verb. Even though the phrase “the students” suggests a plural subject, the use of “each of” makes it singular. Therefore, the verb must also be singular.
Subject verb agreement is essential in written English, as incorrect agreement can result in confusion and misinterpretation. When writing or editing, it is important to pay close attention to the subject and verb to ensure they agree in number and person. By following these simple rules, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.