As a writer or editor, subject-verb agreement is one of the most critical aspects of grammar that you need to master. This rule seems straightforward, but it can be tricky at times, especially when dealing with complex sentences. It is vital to know the right subject-verb agreement to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.
In this article, we’ll review the basic rules of subject-verb agreement and provide an answer key to help you avoid common errors.
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
For example:
– The dog barks at the cat. (singular subject and verb)
– The dogs bark at the cats. (plural subject and verb)
2. Compound subjects joined by “and” take plural verbs.
For example:
– John and Jane are traveling to Europe. (plural subject and verb)
3. Compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor” take a singular verb that matches the subject nearest to the verb.
For example:
– Neither the cat nor the dog likes the rain. (singular subject and verb)
4. Collective nouns take a singular verb when referring to the group as a whole, but a plural verb when referring to the individuals in the group.
For example:
– The soccer team is playing well this season. (singular subject and verb)
– The team members are all good players. (plural subject and verb)
5. Indefinite pronouns (e.g., anyone, everyone, someone) take a singular verb.
For example:
– Everyone is invited to the party. (singular subject and verb)
6. When a sentence begins with “there” or “here,” the subject follows the verb.
For example:
– There are three main reasons for his success. (plural subject and verb)
7. Inverted sentences take the form of subject-verb-object rather than subject-object-verb.
For example:
– Into the room ran the cat. (inverted subject-verb-object sentence)
Subject-verb agreement errors can make your writing confusing and difficult to read. By following these simple rules, you can avoid mistakes and ensure that your writing is clear and correct. Keep this answer key as a handy reference guide to help you remember the rules of subject-verb agreement.