Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of the English language. It refers to the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence. In other words, it is the match between the noun or pronoun (the subject) and the verb in number, person, and tense. If you want to prevent grammatical errors in your writing, you need to master subject-verb agreement.
Here are some tips to help you understand and use subject-verb agreement correctly:
1. Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. For example, “The cat runs” is correct because “cat” is a singular subject and “runs” is a singular verb. “The cats run” is correct because “cats” is a plural subject and “run” is a plural verb.
2. The verb must agree with the subject in person. For example, “I am” is correct because “I” is a first-person subject, and “am” is a first-person verb. “He is” is correct because “he” is a third-person subject, and “is” is a third-person verb.
3. The verb must agree with the subject in tense. For example, “I run” is in the present tense, while “I ran” is in the past tense.
4. In sentences with compound subjects joined by “and,” use a plural verb. For example, “John and Mary are going to the party” is correct because “John” and “Mary” are both subjects, and they are plural.
5. In sentences with compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor,” use a verb that agrees with the subject closest to the verb. For example, “Neither the cats nor the dogs like the rain” is correct because “dogs” is closest to the verb “like” and “dogs” is plural.
6. When the subject is separated from the verb by a clause or phrase, make sure the verb agrees with the subject. For example, “The book that my friend gave me is interesting” is correct because “book” is singular and “is” agrees with it.
Mastering subject-verb agreement takes practice and patience. However, with these tips, you can easily avoid such grammatical errors in your writing and communication. Remember that good communication skills are essential in any situation, so take some time to review your writing before sending it out. Good luck!