Is There Agreement Between the Subject and the Verb?
When writing, it is important to pay close attention to the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence. Agreement refers to ensuring that the subject and the verb are in harmony and that they match in terms of number and person. This is crucial to maintaining clarity and ensuring that your writing is grammatically correct.
Number Agreement
Number agreement refers to ensuring that the subject and the verb match in terms of singular or plural form. For example:
– The dog barks (singular subject and verb)
– The dogs bark (plural subject and verb)
It’s important to note that sometimes the subject may be plural in form but singular in meaning. For example:
– Politics is complex (singular subject and verb, despite the plural form of “politics”)
In cases like this, it’s important to determine the true subject of the sentence.
Person Agreement
Person agreement refers to ensuring that the subject and the verb match in terms of first, second, or third person. For example:
– I am writing (first person singular)
– You are writing (second person singular)
– They are writing (third person plural)
It’s important to be consistent in maintaining the same person throughout a sentence or paragraph, as changing back and forth can be confusing for readers.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are instances where the agreement between the subject and the verb may not follow the standard rules of grammar. For example, when using collective nouns (such as team, family, or group), the verb may be singular or plural depending on the author’s intended meaning:
– The team is in first place (singular verb, treating the team as one entity)
– The team are all wearing matching uniforms (plural verb, treating the team as individuals)
In addition, the use of compound subjects (two or more subjects joined by “and”) may also impact the agreement between the subject and the verb:
– The cat and the dog are playing (plural verb, as both subjects are being acted upon)
– The cat or the dog is playing (singular verb, as only one subject is being acted upon)
Conclusion
Agreement between the subject and the verb is an important aspect of writing that should not be overlooked. Ensuring that the two match in terms of number and person can help maintain clarity and ensure that your writing is grammatically correct. Remember, there are exceptions to the rule, so it’s important to understand all the different scenarios in which agreement may not follow the standard grammar rules.
