Select The Sentence Which Has The Correct Subject/verb Agreement

Select the Sentence Which Has the Correct Subject/Verb Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide

Subject-verb agreement, a fundamental concept in grammar, dictates that a sentence's verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. Mastering this seemingly simple rule significantly enhances the clarity and correctness of your writing. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of subject-verb agreement, providing clear explanations, practical examples, and effective strategies to help you confidently select the correct sentence structure.

Understanding the Basics of Subject-Verb Agreement

At its core, subject-verb agreement means that singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. This might sound obvious, but numerous complexities arise when dealing with various grammatical constructions.

Example:

• Correct: The dog barks loudly. (Singular subject, singular verb)
• Incorrect: The dog bark loudly. (Singular subject, plural verb)
• Correct: The dogs bark loudly. (Plural subject, plural verb)
• Incorrect: The dogs barks loudly. (Plural subject, singular verb)

Common Challenges and Exceptions in Subject-Verb Agreement

While the basic rule is straightforward, several scenarios can complicate subject-verb agreement. Let's explore some common challenges and the exceptions that often trip up writers.

1. Intervening Phrases

Phrases placed between the subject and the verb do not affect the agreement. These phrases often begin with words like "with," "along with," "as well as," "in addition to," and "together with." The verb agrees with the subject, not the words within the intervening phrase.

Example:

• Correct: The teacher, along with her students, is attending the conference. (The subject is "teacher," which is singular.)
• Incorrect: The teacher, along with her students, are attending the conference.

2. Compound Subjects Joined by "And"

When two or more subjects are joined by "and," they generally take a plural verb.

Example:

• Correct: John and Mary are going to the movies.

However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity or idea, it takes a singular verb.

Example:

• Correct: Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.

3. SubjectsJoined by "Or," "Nor," "Either/Or," "Neither/Nor"

When subjects are joined by "or," "nor," "either/or," or "neither/nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Examples:

• Correct: Neither the cat nor the dogs are allowed inside.
• Correct: Either the dogs or the cat is responsible for the mess.

4. Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, group, committee) can be either singular or plural depending on the context. If the group acts as a single unit, use a singular verb. If the members of the group are acting individually, use a plural verb.

Examples:

• Correct: The team is playing well tonight. (Team acting as a unit)
• Correct: The team are arguing about strategy. (Team members acting individually)

5. Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone, anyone, nobody, each, either, neither) are always singular and take singular verbs.

Examples:

• Correct: Everyone is invited to the party.
• Correct: Neither of the options is appealing.

6. Subjects That Appear Plural But Are Singular

Some nouns that end in "-s" are actually singular (e.g., news, measles, physics, economics). These take singular verbs.

Examples:

• Correct: The news is disturbing.
• Correct: Physics is my favorite subject.

7. Inverted Sentence Structure

In sentences with inverted word order (e.g., questions, sentences beginning with "there"), the subject follows the verb. Carefully identify the subject to ensure correct agreement.

Examples:

• Correct: There are many reasons to celebrate. (Subject: reasons)
• Correct: Is the dog barking? (Subject: dog)

8. Fractional Expressions

The verb agrees with the noun following "of."

Examples:

• Correct: One-third of the apples are rotten.
• Correct: Two-thirds of the cake is gone.

Advanced Cases and Nuances in Subject-Verb Agreement

Beyond the foundational rules, several more nuanced scenarios require careful consideration.

9. Relative Pronouns

When using relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that), the verb agrees with the antecedent of the pronoun (the noun or pronoun the relative pronoun refers to).

Example:

• Correct: The students who are failing the class need extra help.

10. Titles of Works

Titles of books, movies, and other works are always singular, even if they appear plural.

Example:

• Correct: "The Grapes of Wrath" is a classic novel.

11. Units of Measurement

Units of measurement usually take singular verbs.

Example:

• Correct: Ten kilograms is a substantial weight.

12. Words Ending in "-ics"

Words ending in "-ics" (e.g., physics, statistics, ethics) can be singular or plural depending on their usage. If referring to the field of study, they are singular; if referring to specific instances or practices, they may be plural.

Examples:

• Correct: Statistics is a challenging subject. (Field of study)
• Correct: The statistics are compelling. (Specific data)

Strategies for Correct Subject-Verb Agreement

Mastering subject-verb agreement requires consistent practice and attention to detail. Here are some practical strategies:

1. Identify the Subject: Begin by clearly identifying the sentence's subject. This often involves ignoring intervening phrases and focusing on the main noun or pronoun performing the action.

2. Determine the Subject's Number: Decide if the subject is singular or plural. Consider collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and nouns ending in "-s" carefully.

3. Select the Correct Verb Form: Choose the verb form that matches the subject's number. Remember that singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.

4. Proofread Carefully: After writing your sentence, take the time to review it for subject-verb agreement errors. Read each sentence slowly, paying close attention to the relationship between the subject and the verb.

5. Practice Regularly: The key to mastering subject-verb agreement is consistent practice. Work through exercises, review examples, and focus on correctly applying the rules in your own writing.

Subject-Verb Agreement Exercises

Now let's test your understanding with some exercises. Select the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement in each pair.

Exercise 1:

A. The team are playing exceptionally well. B. The team is playing exceptionally well.

Answer: B

Exercise 2:

A. Neither the teacher nor the students is responsible. B. Neither the teacher nor the students are responsible.

Answer: B

Exercise 3:

A. The news are shocking. B. The news is shocking.

Answer: B

Exercise 4:

A. Everyone have their own opinions. B. Everyone has their own opinions.

Answer: B

Exercise 5:

A. My family is going on vacation next month. B. My family are going on vacation next month.

Answer: A

Exercise 6:

A. Physics are a fascinating field of study. B. Physics is a fascinating field of study.

Answer: B

Exercise 7:

A. There is many reasons to celebrate. B. There are many reasons to celebrate.

Answer: B

Exercise 8:

A. Two-thirds of the pizza were eaten. B. Two-thirds of the pizza was eaten.

Answer: B

Conclusion

Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of grammatical correctness and clarity. While the basic principle is simple, numerous exceptions and complexities require attention. By diligently studying the rules, practicing regularly, and carefully proofreading your work, you can master this essential skill and significantly improve the quality of your writing. Remember to always identify the true subject of your sentence, regardless of intervening phrases or complex sentence structures, and match the verb accordingly. With practice and mindful attention, even the most challenging subject-verb agreement scenarios can be easily navigated.