Agreement of Verb with Subject Rules: A Guide for Clear Communication
The English language is subject to many rules, and one of the most important ones is the agreement of verb with subject. In order to communicate effectively, it is important to understand these rules and apply them when writing or speaking. This article will provide you with a guide to the agreement of verb with subject rules, including common mistakes to avoid and tips for clear communication.
What is Agreement of Verb with Subject?
The agreement of verb with subject refers to the rule that the verb in a sentence must agree with the subject in number (singular or plural). In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
For example, in the sentence “The dog runs in the park,” the subject “dog” is singular and the verb “runs” is singular. In the sentence “The dogs run in the park,” the subject “dogs” is plural and the verb “run” is plural.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes when it comes to agreement of verb with subject is to use a plural verb with a singular subject, or vice versa. For example, in the sentence “The group of students is excited to go on the field trip,” the subject “group” is singular, so the verb “is” should also be singular. Using “are” instead of “is” would be incorrect.
Another common mistake is to be misled by phrases that come between the subject and the verb. For example, in the sentence “The reason for their success is hard work and determination,” the subject “reason” is singular and the verb “is” should also be singular, even though “hard work and determination” is plural.
Tips for Clear Communication
To ensure clear communication when it comes to agreement of verb with subject, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Identify the subject of the sentence before choosing a verb.
2. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement when there are compound subjects (two or more subjects joined by “and”).
3. Singular subjects that end in -s (such as “mathematics” or “news”) take a singular verb, not a plural verb.
4. Collective nouns (such as “team” or “family”) can be singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence.
By following these tips and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure that your writing and speaking are clear and effective.
In conclusion, the agreement of verb with subject is an essential rule to follow when communicating in English. By understanding this rule and applying it correctly, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure that your message is clear and effective. Remember to identify the subject of the sentence before choosing a verb, pay attention to compound subjects, and be mindful of special cases like singular subjects ending in -s and collective nouns. With these tips, you can communicate with confidence and clarity.