what does it mean when subjects and verbs agree
When subjects and verbs agree, it means that the subject and the verb in a sentence match in number and person. In other words, a singular subject (e.g., "he," "she," "it") is paired with a singular verb form (e.g., "is," "has"), while a plural subject (e.g., "they," "we") is paired with a plural verb form (e.g., "are," "have"). This ensures grammatical correctness and clarity in sentences.
When subjects and verbs agree, it means that they match grammatically in number. In English grammar, a subject refers to the person, thing, or idea performing the action of the verb. The verb, on the other hand, indicates the action or state of being in a sentence. Here are the key points to understand:
1. Singular subject: When the subject is singular (referring to one person, thing, or idea), the verb must also be singular. For example: "He runs," "She sings," "The dog barks."
2. Plural subject: When the subject is plural (referring to more than one person, thing, or idea), the verb must be plural. For example: "They run," "We sing," "The dogs bark."
3. Agreement with compound subjects: When a sentence has compound subjects joined by "and," the verb should be plural. For example: "John and Sarah are playing," "The cat and the dog chase each other."
4. Agreement with collective nouns: Collective nouns, which refer to a group of individuals, can take a singular or plural verb depending on the context. If the group is seen as a single unit, a singular verb is used. If the individuals in the group are emphasized, a plural verb is used. For example: "The team is practicing" (unit), "The team are arguing with each other" (individuals).
5. Be aware of phrases between the subject and verb: Sometimes, there are phrases, such as prepositional phrases, between the subject and verb. These phrases do not affect the agreement between the subject and verb. For example: "The book, along with the pen, is on the table."
Ensuring subject-verb agreement helps in maintaining grammatical correctness in sentences and improves clarity and comprehension for the reader or listener.
When subjects and verbs agree, it means that the form of the verb corresponds correctly with the subject in a sentence. In English, this typically involves ensuring that singular subjects are paired with singular verbs, and plural subjects are paired with plural verbs.
To determine if subjects and verbs agree, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the subject of the sentence: The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is being described by the verb.
2. Determine if the subject is singular or plural: Singular subjects refer to one person, thing, or concept, while plural subjects refer to more than one.
3. Choose the appropriate verb form: Singular subjects usually take singular verbs, which usually end in "-s" in the third person (he/she/it) present tense. Plural subjects usually take plural verbs, which typically do not end in "-s" in the third person.
For example:
- Singular subject with singular verb agreement: "The cat meows." (Subject: cat, Verb: meows)
- Plural subject with plural verb agreement: "The cats meow." (Subject: cats, Verb: meow)
- Singular subject with plural verb mistake: "The cat meow." (Incorrect verb form, should be meows)
It's important to ensure that subjects and verbs agree because this maintains grammatical consistency and clarity in writing and speaking.