Subject verb agreement Flashcards
what is Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement refers to the rule that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural). This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural.
Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
Singular Subjects and Verbs
If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular.
Example: “She reads every day.”
“She” is singular, so the verb “reads” is singular.
Plural Subjects and Verbs
If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Example: “They read every day.”
“They” is plural, so the verb “read” is plural (no “s” at the end).
Rules and Guidelines for Subject-Verb Agreement
When the Subject is a Collective Noun
A collective noun refers to a group of people, animals, or things. Depending on whether you consider the group as a single unit or as individuals, the verb may be singular or plural.
Singular: “The team is winning.”
Plural: “The team are arguing among themselves.”
When the Subject is a Compound Subject (Two or More Subjects)
A compound subject is made up of two or more subjects joined by and. If the subjects are connected by “and,” the verb is plural.
Example: “John and Sarah are going to the park.”
If the subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to the verb.
Example 1: “Either the teacher or the students are responsible.”
Example 2: “Either the students or the teacher is responsible.”
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, anyone, nobody) are usually treated as singular.
Example: “Everyone is invited to the party.”
However, some indefinite pronouns (e.g., both, few, many, several) are plural.
Example: “Many have arrived early.”
When the Subject is a Number or Amount
When the subject refers to an amount, time, money, or distance, it is generally treated as singular.
Example: “Ten dollars is too much.”
“Five miles is too far to walk.”
