Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammar concept that determines the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. It ensures that the verb agrees in number and tense with the subject, which makes the sentence sound grammatically correct and clear to the reader.
The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is being described, while the verb is the action word or linking verb that expresses what the subject is doing or what is happening to it. The agreement between the subject and the verb depends on their number, which can be either singular or plural.
Let’s take a look at some examples of subject-verb agreement:
Singular subject and singular verb:
– The cat is sleeping on the couch.
In this example, the singular subject “cat” matches the singular verb “is sleeping.”
Plural subject and plural verb:
– The dogs are barking in the backyard.
Here, the plural subject “dogs” matches the plural verb “are barking.”
Singular subject and plural verb:
– My mom or my dad are going to pick me up from school.
Although the subject is singular, the verb “are going” is plural because it refers to both the mom and dad.
Plural subject and singular verb:
– The group of friends is planning a surprise party for their friend.
Even though the subject “group” is technically singular, it is referring to more than one person, so the singular verb “is planning” would sound awkward and incorrect.
Subject-verb agreement also depends on the tense of the sentence, whether it is present, past, or future. Let’s look at some examples:
Present tense:
– She sings beautifully.
The singular subject “she” matches the singular verb “sings.”
Past tense:
– They went to the beach yesterday.
The plural subject “they” matches the past tense verb “went.”
Future tense:
– The company will hire more employees next year.
The singular subject “company” matches the future tense verb “will hire.”
In conclusion, understanding subject-verb agreement is a crucial step in producing grammatically correct and clear sentences. By matching the subject and verb in terms of number and tense, you can ensure that your writing is not only easy to read but also communicates your message effectively.
