Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of grammar that can make or break the effectiveness of your writing. It refers to the proper usage of verbs to match the subject of a sentence in terms of number and person. Simply put, it means that the verb must agree with the subject in terms of whether it`s singular or plural and, in some cases, whether it`s first, second, or third-person.
To understand subject-verb agreement, it`s essential to know what each term means. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is discussing, while the verb is the action or state of being that the subject is doing or experiencing. For example, in the sentence „She runs every morning,” the subject is „she,” and the verb is „runs.”
So, which of the following is subject-verb agreement? Let`s take a look at some examples:
1. The dog barks loudly.
The subject of this sentence is „the dog,” which is singular. The verb „barks” agrees with the singular subject, making it correct.
2. The dogs bark loudly.
In this sentence, the subject is „the dogs,” which is plural. Therefore, the verb „bark” agrees with the plural subject, making it correct.
3. Mary and John are playing tennis.
In this sentence, the subject is „Mary and John,” which is plural. As such, the verb „are” agrees with the plural subject, making it correct.
4. Mary or John is playing tennis.
In this sentence, the subject is „Mary or John,” which is a compound subject, but only one person is doing the action. In this case, the singular verb „is” matches with the singular form „Mary” or „John,” making it correct.
5. Everyone in the class has their books.
The subject of this sentence is „everyone,” which is singular. However, the pronoun „their” is plural. To correct this, we could say, „Everyone in the class has his or her book” or „Everyone in the class has their book.”
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication. To avoid confusion and ensure that your writing is grammatically correct, always make sure that your verbs match your subjects in terms of number and person. By doing so, you`ll be able to convey your message successfully and make a positive impact on your readers.
