Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of writing. It refers to the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence. When writing an article, it is crucial to follow this rule to ensure that the piece is grammatically correct and easy to read. In this article, we will discuss subject-verb agreement rule number one.
Subject-verb agreement rule number one states that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. This might seem simple, but it is a common mistake that writers often make. For instance, it is incorrect to say, „The team are playing well.“ In this sentence, „team“ is a singular subject, but the verb „are“ is plural. The correct sentence should be „The team is playing well.“
Another example is, „The news are shocking.“ In this sentence, „news“ is plural, but the verb „are“ is again incorrect. The correct sentence should be, „The news is shocking.“
Subject-verb agreement can be tricky when dealing with compound subjects. A compound subject is two or more subjects joined by „and.“ In this case, the verb should be plural. For example, „Kim and John are going to the park.“
However, when dealing with compound subjects joined by „or“ or „nor,“ the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For instance, „Neither the dog nor the cat is hungry.“
Additionally, subject-verb agreement is essential when dealing with indefinite pronouns such as someone, anybody, or everybody. These pronouns are singular and require singular verbs. For example, „Someone is at the door.“
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement rule number one is crucial to follow when writing an article. It ensures that the piece is grammatically correct and easy to read. Remember to use a singular verb with a singular subject and a plural verb with a plural subject. Additionally, be careful when dealing with compound subjects and indefinite pronouns. By following these rules, you can write articles that are clear, concise, and effective.