Which Sentence Demonstrates Correct Subject Verb Agreement

Which Sentence Demonstrates Correct Subject-Verb Agreement? Mastering the Fundamentals of Grammar

Subject-verb agreement, a cornerstone of grammatical accuracy, dictates that a sentence's verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. While seemingly simple, this fundamental rule often trips up even experienced writers. This comprehensive guide will delve into the nuances of subject-verb agreement, providing clear explanations, examples, and strategies to help you master this crucial aspect of English grammar. We'll explore various scenarios that frequently cause confusion, empowering you to confidently identify and correct subject-verb agreement errors in your writing.

Understanding the Basics: Singular and Plural Subjects

Before we tackle complex scenarios, let's solidify the foundation. The most straightforward cases involve singular subjects taking singular verbs and plural subjects taking plural verbs.

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

The verb's form changes to reflect the subject's number. This is usually straightforward with simple subjects, but complications arise when we introduce more complex sentence structures.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Several scenarios frequently challenge writers when it comes to subject-verb agreement. Let's examine these common pitfalls:

1. Intervening Phrases: Don't Let Them Fool You!

Prepositional phrases, participial phrases, or other intervening phrases often separate the subject from the verb. These phrases do not affect subject-verb agreement. Identify the subject and ignore the intervening phrases.

• Incorrect: The box of chocolates are delicious.

• Correct: The box of chocolates is delicious. (The subject is "box," singular.)

• Incorrect: My friend, along with his family, are coming to the party.

• Correct: My friend, along with his family, is coming to the party. (The subject is "friend," singular.)

2. Compound Subjects Joined by "And": Usually Plural

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

• The cat and the dog play together.

However, there are exceptions:

• If the compound subject refers to a single entity: Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich. (Peanut butter and jelly are considered a single item.)
• If the compound subject consists of two singular nouns that are closely related and considered a unit: My car and driver are waiting outside.
• If the singular nouns are modified by 'each', 'every' or 'many a': Every man, woman and child is required to show identification.

3. Compound Subjects Joined by "Or" or "Nor": The Verb Agrees with the Closest Subject

When "or" or "nor" joins subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

• Neither the cats nor the dog is allowed inside. (The verb "is" agrees with "dog.")
• Either the dog or the cats are responsible for the mess. (The verb "are" agrees with "cats.")

4. Collective Nouns: Singular or Plural?

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

• The team is undefeated this season. (Team acting as a unit)
• The team are arguing about the game strategy. (Individual members of the team are arguing.)

5. Indefinite Pronouns: A Tricky Bunch

Indefinite pronouns (anyone, everyone, someone, anybody, everybody, somebody, no one, nobody, each, either, neither, one) are always singular and take singular verbs.

• Everyone is welcome.
• Nobody knows the answer.

However, pronouns like some, any, none, all, most can be either singular or plural, depending on the noun they refer to:

• Some of the cake is left.
• Some of the cakes are left.

6. Subjects with Titles, Phrases, or Clauses: Focus on the Core Subject

When the subject is a title, a phrase, or a clause, determine the true subject within the construction and match the verb to it.

• "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is a classic novel. (The subject is "Adventures," singular.)
• What he said was completely unbelievable. (The subject is "What he said," singular.)

7. Units of Measurement: Usually Singular

When referring to units of measurement (pounds, dollars, feet, miles), generally use a singular verb.

• Ten dollars is a fair price.
• Five miles is a long way to walk.

8. Inverted Sentences: Be Mindful of the True Subject

In sentences where the verb precedes the subject (often in questions or sentences beginning with "there"), carefully identify the subject to ensure proper agreement.

• There are many reasons for this. (The subject is "reasons," plural.)
• Is there any evidence? (The subject is "evidence," singular.)

9. Amounts: Consider the Whole Unit

When discussing amounts, the verb usually agrees with the numerical quantity of the whole unit:

• Two and two makes four.
• Fifty percent of the apples are rotten.

10. Fractions and Percentages: Context Matters

Fractions and percentages can be either singular or plural depending on what the fraction refers to:

• One-third of the population is unemployed. (Singular, referring to a collective population.)
• One-third of the students are failing the exam. (Plural, referring to individual students.)

Practice Makes Perfect: Refining Your Skills

The best way to master subject-verb agreement is through practice. Examine sentences critically, identify the subject, and determine the correct verb form. Look for the patterns outlined above to improve your grammatical accuracy.

Identifying Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement: Examples

Let's look at some examples, identifying the error and providing the correction:

Incorrect: The group of students are going on a field trip. Correct: The group of students is going on a field trip. (Group acts as a unit.)

Incorrect: Neither the cat nor the dogs was chasing the mouse. Correct: Neither the cat nor the dogs were chasing the mouse. (Verb agrees with closest subject, "dogs")

Incorrect: Everyone on the team has their own jersey. Correct: Everyone on the team has their own jersey. (However, a more grammatically correct sentence would use "his or her own jersey").

Incorrect: There is many reasons to choose this product. Correct: There are many reasons to choose this product.

Incorrect: Fifty percent of the profits were donated to charity. Correct: Fifty percent of the profits was donated to charity. (Referencing a singular unit: profits as a whole).

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Considerations

As you become more proficient, explore more advanced topics like:

• Relative clauses: Ensure verbs within relative clauses agree with their antecedents.
• Compound sentences: Pay close attention to subject-verb agreement in each clause.
• Figurative language: Subject-verb agreement can sometimes be affected by the use of metaphors or other figurative language.
• Ambiguous subjects: In sentences with ambiguous subjects, closely analyze the sentence structure to identify the true subject.

Mastering subject-verb agreement requires diligence and practice. By consistently applying the principles outlined above and engaging in targeted practice, you can significantly enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing. Remember to always carefully examine the subject and its relationship to the verb, paying close attention to the specific complexities that each sentence presents. The result will be polished, grammatically correct writing that effectively conveys your ideas.