Understanding how verbs agree with their subjects is a fundamental aspect of mastering English grammar. Verb agreement, also known as subject-verb agreement, ensures that your sentences are grammatically correct and that they convey the intended meaning clearly and accurately. In this article, we will delve into the rules of verb agreement with subjects, explore common pitfalls, and provide examples and tips to help you become more confident in your language skills.
The Basics of Subject-Verb Agreement
In English, verbs must agree with their subjects in both number and person. This means that singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. Additionally, the form of the verb must match the subject’s person—first person (I, we), second person (you), or third person (he, she, it, they).
Let’s start with some basic rules:
1. **Singular Subjects**: When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular.
– Example: “The cat runs fast.”
2. **Plural Subjects**: When the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb must also be plural.
– Example: “The cats run fast.”
3. **Third Person Singular**: In the present tense, most verbs add an “s” or “es” when the subject is a third person singular noun or pronoun.
– Example: “She walks to school.”
Irregular Verbs
Some verbs do not follow the regular pattern of adding “s” or “es” in the third person singular. These are known as irregular verbs, and they require special attention.
– Example: “He goes to the gym every day.” (The verb “go” changes to “goes” in the third person singular.)
Compound Subjects
When a sentence has a compound subject (two or more subjects joined by “and”), the verb must be plural.
– Example: “The dog and the cat are playing together.”
However, if the compound subject is joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
– Example: “Neither the teacher nor the students understand the assignment.”
– Example: “Either the students or the teacher is responsible for the project.”
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns such as “everyone,” “someone,” “anyone,” “nobody,” and “each” are singular and require singular verbs.
– Example: “Everyone is excited about the trip.”
On the other hand, pronouns like “both,” “few,” “many,” and “several” are plural and require plural verbs.
– Example: “Many were invited to the party.”
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals or things and can be tricky when it comes to verb agreement. In American English, collective nouns are usually treated as singular, requiring a singular verb.
– Example: “The team is winning the game.”
In British English, collective nouns can be treated as either singular or plural, depending on whether the group is being considered as a single unit or as individuals.
– Example: “The team are celebrating their victory.” (British English)
Special Cases
Titles and Names
When a title or a name of a work (book, movie, etc.) is the subject, it is considered singular, even if it appears plural.
– Example: “The Chronicles of Narnia is a popular book series.”
Amounts and Quantities
When discussing amounts of money, time, distance, or weight, use a singular verb if the amount is considered a single unit.
– Example: “Ten dollars is too much for that item.”
– Example: “Five years is a long time.”
Inverted Sentences
In sentences where the subject follows the verb (often starting with “here” or “there”), ensure that the verb still agrees with the subject.
– Example: “Here is the report you requested.”
– Example: “There are several options available.”
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Subject-verb agreement can sometimes be challenging, especially when dealing with complex sentence structures. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to avoid them:
1. **Intervening Words**: Do not be distracted by words that come between the subject and the verb. The verb must agree with the main subject, not any intervening words or phrases.
– Incorrect: “The bouquet of flowers smell wonderful.”
– Correct: “The bouquet of flowers smells wonderful.”
2. **Prepositional Phrases**: Ignore prepositional phrases when determining subject-verb agreement. Focus on the main subject.
– Incorrect: “The group of students are studying.”
– Correct: “The group of students is studying.”
3. **Subjects Joined by “and”**: Remember that subjects joined by “and” typically require a plural verb.
– Incorrect: “The teacher and the student discusses the topic.”
– Correct: “The teacher and the student discuss the topic.”
4. **Subjects Joined by “or” or “nor”**: Make sure the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
– Incorrect: “Neither the manager nor the employees is responsible.”
– Correct: “Neither the manager nor the employees are responsible.”
5. **Indefinite Pronouns**: Be aware of whether an indefinite pronoun is singular or plural.
– Incorrect: “Everyone have a chance to speak.”
– Correct: “Everyone has a chance to speak.”
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master subject-verb agreement is through practice. Here are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding:
1. Identify the correct verb form:
– The dog (barks/bark) loudly.
– The students (is/are) working on their projects.
– Each of the books (was/were) interesting.
2. Correct the sentences:
– The team of athletes (is/are) ready for the competition.
– Either the teacher or the students (is/are) responsible for the mess.
– Nobody (know/knows) the answer to the question.
3. Write your own sentences using the following subjects and verbs:
– Subject: The cat and the dog / Verb: play
– Subject: Someone / Verb: understand
– Subject: A group of friends / Verb: meet
Conclusion
Understanding and correctly applying the rules of subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication in English. By paying attention to the number and person of your subjects and ensuring that your verbs match accordingly, you can avoid common grammatical errors and enhance the quality of your writing and speech.
Remember that practice is key. The more you read, write, and engage with the language, the more intuitive subject-verb agreement will become. Keep these rules and tips in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering this fundamental aspect of English grammar.
