PDF of Subject Verb Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide
When it comes to English grammar, subject-verb agreement plays a vital role in making written communication clear and effective. It refers to the grammatical rule that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb should be singular too, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well. Errors in subject-verb agreement can make a sentence confusing or difficult to understand.
But fear not, because in this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to understanding subject-verb agreement and how to use it correctly. Moreover, we will give you a PDF of subject-verb agreement that you can download and use as a quick reference.
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject is the noun or pronoun that takes an action or is described in a sentence. The verb, on the other hand, is the action or state of being that the subject performs. The agreement between the subject and verb depends on whether they are singular or plural.
Singular subjects require singular verbs, whereas plural subjects require plural verbs. For example:
– The cat purrs. (singular subject and verb)
– The cats purr. (plural subject and verb)
However, some sentences can be tricky to determine the subject, making it challenging to decide which verb to use. For instance:
– One of the cats purrs. (singular verb, despite plural subject)
– Neither the cat nor the dog purrs. (singular verb, despite two singular subjects)
Also, some sentences may have compound subjects joined by “and” or “or,” and each subject will determine the verb form. For example:
– The cat and the dog purr. (plural subject and verb)
– Either the cat or the dog purrs. (singular verb, despite two singular subjects)
Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
Now that we’ve discussed the basics of subject-verb agreement, let’s dive deeper into the rules of this grammatical principle.
1. Singular subjects require singular verbs.
– The book is interesting.
– Mark plays football.
2. Plural subjects require plural verbs.
– The books are interesting.
– Marks play football.
3. Indefinite pronouns, such as “each,” “every,” “neither,” “either,” “none,” and “some,” require singular verbs.
– Each of the dogs is friendly.
– Neither of the cats likes milk.
4. Collective nouns, such as “team,” “group,” and “audience,” can take singular or plural verbs, depending on whether they function as a single unit or as individuals.
– The team is practicing before the game. (singular verb)
– The team are all wearing their uniforms. (plural verb)
5. When choosing between “is” and “are,” consider the proximity of the subject to the verb and the number of the subject.
– The box of shoes is under the bed. (singular verb because “box” is singular)
– The shoes in the box are new. (plural verb because “shoes” is plural)
Using the PDF of Subject-Verb Agreement
To help you remember the rules of subject-verb agreement, we have created a PDF that you can download and use as a quick reference. It contains lists of singular and plural nouns, indefinite pronouns, and collective nouns, as well as examples of correct usage.
With this PDF, you can review the rules of subject-verb agreement and ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. It is an essential tool for students, writers, and copy editors alike.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar that you should take seriously. It is easy to make mistakes, but with practice and a bit of help from our PDF of subject-verb agreement, you can improve your writing and communicate effectively. Make sure to download it today and use it to your advantage.
