When it comes to constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences in the English language, one of the fundamental principles to master is subject-verb agreement. This rule ensures that the verb in a sentence agrees with the subject in terms of both number and person. Let's delve deeper into this essential aspect of English grammar.

What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical principle that dictates that the verb in a sentence should correspond to the number and person of the subject. In simpler terms, if your subject is singular, the verb should be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural.

Number Agreement

  • Singular Subjects: Singular verbs are used when the subject refers to one person, thing, or concept. For example:
    • She sings beautifully.
    • The cat is sleeping.
  • Plural Subjects: Plural verbs are used when the subject refers to more than one person, thing, or concept. For example:
    • They sing together.
    • The dogs are barking loudly.

Person Agreement

The verb also needs to agree with the person of the subject. There are three main persons in English:

  • First Person: Refers to the speaker or speakers (I/we).
  • Second Person: Refers to the person or people being spoken to (you).
  • Third Person: Refers to someone or something not involved in the conversation (he/she/it/they).

Examples of Person Agreement:

  • I am writing an article. (First person)
  • You are studying diligently. (Second person)
  • She is a talented artist. (Third person - singular)
  • They are skilled musicians. (Third person - plural)

Why Is Subject-Verb Agreement Important?

Subject-verb agreement is crucial for maintaining sentence clarity and grammatical correctness. When subjects and verbs do not agree, sentences can become confusing and grammatically incorrect, which may lead to misunderstandings.

Common Pitfalls

Some common pitfalls to watch out for include:

  • Errors with collective nouns (e.g., "The team is playing well" rather than "The team are playing well").
  • Subject-verb agreement in complex sentences where the subject and verb might be separated by intervening phrases.
  • Compound subjects (e.g., "Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich" because the compound subject "peanut butter and jelly" is singular).

Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement is a fundamental step towards improving your English language skills. By ensuring that your verbs agree with your subjects in terms of number and person, you'll create sentences that are both clear and grammatically correct. So, whether you're writing an article, sending an email, or having a conversation, subject-verb agreement will always be an essential tool in your language arsenal.