Verb Subject Agreement Examples: Mastering Subject-Verb Concord in Your Writing
Achieving subject-verb agreement in your writing is one of the primary ways to improve the quality of your work. It’s an essential grammar rule that every writer must know to create comprehensible and compelling content.
Subject-verb agreement, also known as concord, refers to the consistency between a subject and verb in a sentence. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Mastering subject-verb agreement can be challenging, especially when dealing with complex sentences and different verb tenses. However, with practice and learning from examples, you can perfect this fundamental grammar rule. Here are some verb subject agreement examples to get you started.
Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement in Present Tense
Singular subject-verb agreement example:
– The cat chases the mouse.
Plural subject-verb agreement example:
– The cats chase the mice.
Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement in Past Tense
Singular subject-verb agreement example:
– The girl danced all night.
Plural subject-verb agreement example:
– The girls danced all night.
Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement in Future Tense
Singular subject-verb agreement example:
– The teacher will grade the test tomorrow.
Plural subject-verb agreement example:
– The teachers will grade the tests tomorrow.
Key Points to Remember for Subject-Verb Agreement
1. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb, and if the subject is plural, use a plural verb.
2. Be mindful of subject-verb agreement when using indefinite pronouns like everyone, nobody, somebody, etc.
Incorrect example: Everyone were happy with their gifts.
Correct example: Everyone was happy with their gift.
3. When using compound subjects with “and,” the verb must be plural.
Incorrect example: Tom and Jerry was playing outside.
Correct example: Tom and Jerry were playing outside.
4. When using compound subjects with “or” and “nor,” the verb must agree with the nearer subject.
Incorrect example: Neither the cat nor the dog like to walk.
Correct example: Neither the cat nor the dog likes to walk.
In conclusion, mastering subject-verb agreement is critical for effective writing. By following these rules and practicing with examples, you can hone your grammar skills and create more compelling content. Remember to always check your work for subject-verb agreement before hitting the publish button. Happy writing!