Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of writing that ensures clarity, consistency, and coherence in sentences. In English grammar, subject-verb agreement refers to the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence. It means that the subject and the verb should match in number and person. For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular too, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural too. This principle is commonly referred to as the standard subject-verb agreement.
The standard subject-verb agreement is an essential framework that writers should follow when crafting their sentences. It helps to avoid confusion and enhances the readability of the text. A sentence that follows the standard subject-verb agreement is easy to read, understand, and interpret. Moreover, it also makes the sentence grammatically correct, which is vital for creating a positive impression on the reader.
To illustrate the standard subject-verb agreement, let us take a few examples. In the sentence “The cat sits on the mat,” the subject (cat) is singular, and the verb (sits) is also singular. Hence, the sentence follows the standard subject-verb agreement. Similarly, in the sentence, “The dogs bark at the postman,” the subject (dogs) is plural, and the verb (bark) is also plural. Therefore, this sentence also follows the standard subject-verb agreement.
However, sometimes, writers make mistakes while constructing sentences, leading to mistakes in subject-verb agreement. The most common mistake is when the verb does not agree with the subject in number or person. For instance, in the sentence, “The group of students were excited,” the subject (group) is singular, but the verb (were) is plural. It should be “The group of students was excited” to follow the standard subject-verb agreement.
Thus, it is crucial to pay attention to subject-verb agreement when writing to ensure that the sentences are grammatically correct and understandable. Writers should always remember to check the number and person of the subject and verb before concluding the sentence.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule of English grammar. Following the standard subject-verb agreement ensures that sentences are clear, concise, and grammatically correct. It helps to prevent confusion and enhance the readability of the text, making it easier for the reader to interpret the message. Therefore, writers should always aim to follow the standard subject-verb agreement while drafting their sentences.