Example Of Subject Verb Sentence

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples

Subject-verb agreement, a cornerstone of grammatical accuracy, dictates that a sentence's verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. This seemingly simple rule can become surprisingly complex, especially with intervening phrases, compound subjects, and collective nouns. This comprehensive guide will dissect the intricacies of subject-verb agreement, providing numerous examples to solidify your understanding. Mastering this skill will significantly improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

What is a Subject-Verb Agreement?

At its core, subject-verb agreement means the verb in a sentence must match the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. This might seem obvious, but many nuances can make it challenging. Let's look at some basic examples:

• Singular: The dog barks loudly. (Singular subject "dog," singular verb "barks")
• Plural: The dogs bark loudly. (Plural subject "dogs," plural verb "bark")

This seemingly simple rule becomes more complicated when we introduce various grammatical structures.

Common Challenges and Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement

Several scenarios can make determining subject-verb agreement tricky. Let's explore some common challenges with detailed examples:

1. Intervening Phrases:

Intervening phrases, clauses placed between the subject and verb, often confuse writers. Remember that these phrases do not affect the subject-verb agreement. The verb still agrees with the subject, not the words within the intervening phrase.

• Example 1: The basket of apples sits on the table. (Subject "basket," singular verb "sits." The phrase "of apples" is descriptive but doesn't change the subject's number.)
• Example 2: My friend, along with his cousins, is coming to the party. (Subject "friend," singular verb "is." The phrase "along with his cousins" is an additional piece of information, not part of the subject.)
• Example 3: The box of chocolates, which was a gift from my aunt, is delicious. (The subject is "box," which is singular; therefore, the verb "is" is correctly used.)
• Example 4: The team, despite their individual skills, plays as a cohesive unit. (The subject is “team,” a collective noun often treated as singular; thus, “plays” is the correct verb).

2. Compound Subjects:

Compound subjects consist of two or more subjects joined by conjunctions like and, or, and nor. The agreement rules differ slightly depending on the conjunction:

• And: When subjects are joined by and, they generally take a plural verb.

  • Example 1: The cat and the dog play together.
  • Example 2: My brother and sister are going to college.
  • Example 3: Patience and perseverance are key to success.

• Or/Nor: When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

  • Example 1: Either my mother or my sisters are baking the cake. (Plural verb "are" agrees with the closest subject "sisters.")
  • Example 2: Neither the dog nor the cats are allowed inside. (Plural verb "are" agrees with the closest subject "cats.")
  • Example 3: Neither the flowers nor the vase is on the table. (Singular verb "is" agrees with the closest subject "vase.")

• Exceptions with "and": Sometimes, even with "and," the subject can be singular if it refers to a single unit or concept.

  • Example 1: Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich. (Peanut butter and jelly are considered a single item.)
  • Example 2: Macaroni and cheese is a comfort food. (Again, a single dish.)

3. Collective Nouns:

Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, group, committee) represent a group of individuals. Whether they take a singular or plural verb depends on the context:

• Singular: When referring to the group as a single unit, use a singular verb.

  • Example 1: The team is practicing hard for the tournament. (The team functions as a single entity.)
  • Example 2: My family is going on vacation. (The family is considered one unit.)

• Plural: When emphasizing the individual members of the group, use a plural verb.

  • Example 1: The team are arguing about their strategies. (Focus is on individual members disagreeing.)
  • Example 2: My family have very different opinions about politics. (Focus is on individual family members' diverse opinions.)

4. Indefinite Pronouns:

Indefinite pronouns (e.g., someone, anyone, everyone, no one, nobody, somebody, everybody, each, either, neither, one) are usually singular and take singular verbs.

• Example 1: Everyone is invited to the party.
• Example 2: Somebody has taken my pen.
• Example 3: Each student is responsible for their own work.
• Example 4: Neither option is ideal.

However, some indefinite pronouns can be either singular or plural, depending on the context:

• Some, any, none, all: These pronouns can be singular or plural depending on the noun they refer to.
  • Example 1: Some of the cake is left. (Singular, referring to a portion of the cake.)
  • Example 2: Some of the apples are rotten. (Plural, referring to multiple apples.)

5. Subjects That Appear Plural But Are Singular:

Certain words appear plural in form but are actually singular and require a singular verb:

• Titles of works: The Chronicles of Narnia is a classic fantasy series.
• Amounts of money or time: Ten dollars is a small amount. Two years is a short time.
• Measurements: Five miles is a long distance.
• Words ending in -ics (e.g. economics, physics, politics): These often take a singular verb, unless they refer to individual instances or practices.
  • Example 1: Economics is a challenging subject.
  • Example 2: Her politics are quite controversial. (Here, "politics" refers to her specific political views and actions.)

6. Inverted Sentences:

In inverted sentences, the verb comes before the subject. The subject-verb agreement still applies.

• Example 1: There are many reasons to celebrate. (Subject "reasons," plural verb "are")
• Example 2: Here is the book you requested. (Subject "book," singular verb "is")
• Example 3: Down the street runs a mischievous cat. (Subject "cat," singular verb "runs")

7. Pronoun Agreement with Collective Nouns:

The pronoun used to refer back to a collective noun should also agree in number.

• Example 1: The team played well, and it won the game. (Singular pronoun "it" refers to the singular collective noun "team.")
• Example 2: The jury disagreed amongst themselves, and they couldn’t reach a verdict. (Plural pronoun “they” refers to the individual members of the jury, highlighting their disagreement).

Advanced Cases and Exceptions

The rules of subject-verb agreement can be further complicated by other grammatical constructs.

• Fractional Expressions: The verb agrees with the noun following "of."

  • Two-thirds of the cake is gone.
  • Two-thirds of the apples are rotten.

• Gerunds and Infinitives as Subjects: Gerunds (-ing words) and infinitives (to + verb) are treated as singular subjects.

  • Swimming is my favorite exercise.
  • To err is human.

• "Who," "That," and "Which": The verb agrees with the antecedent of the relative pronoun.

  • The man who is standing there is my uncle. (The antecedent of "who" is "man," which is singular.)
  • The students who are protesting are demanding change. (The antecedent of "who" is "students," which is plural.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What happens if I make a subject-verb agreement error?

A1: Subject-verb agreement errors can make your writing sound awkward and unprofessional. They can also confuse the reader, making it difficult to understand your intended meaning.

Q2: Are there any online tools to check for subject-verb agreement?

A2: Many grammar checkers and editing tools can identify subject-verb agreement errors. These tools can be beneficial, but remember they aren't perfect, and you should still understand the rules yourself.

Q3: How can I improve my understanding of subject-verb agreement?

A3: Consistent practice and a focus on understanding the rules, rather than rote memorization, are crucial. Reading widely, paying close attention to sentence structures, and working through practice exercises will significantly improve your skills.

Conclusion: Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement

Mastering subject-verb agreement is vital for effective communication, both in writing and speaking. While the rules can seem intricate, understanding the underlying principles – focusing on the subject's number and correctly identifying the verb form – will greatly enhance the clarity and precision of your writing. By diligently studying the examples and explanations provided here, and by consistently applying these rules in your writing, you can confidently avoid common errors and achieve grammatical accuracy. Remember to practice regularly, and don't hesitate to consult grammar guides or seek feedback on your writing to reinforce your learning. With persistent effort, you will gain proficiency in this essential aspect of grammar.