Whats a Subject Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammatical practice that every writer needs to understand. Though the concept might sound scary, it is pretty simple once you grasp the basics. In this article, we will explore what subject-verb agreement is, how to identify errors, and how to avoid them.

Firstly, what is a subject-verb agreement?

Subject-verb agreement refers to the connection between the subject and the verb in a sentence. Essentially, it means that the verb must agree with the number and person of the subject. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular as well. If it`s plural, then the verb should also be plural.

For instance, “The dog runs,” “The dogs run.” In the first sentence, the subject “dog” is singular, and the verb “runs” agrees with it by being in the singular form. In contrast, the second sentence, the subject “dogs” is plural, and the verb “run” agrees with it by being plural.

Identifying subject-verb agreement errors:

One of the most common mistakes that writers make is to have a subject and a verb that do not agree in number and person. For example, “The dogs runs” or “The dog run.” Both of these sentences are incorrect because they have errors in subject-verb agreement.

Another error that writers make is to be misled by other words in the sentence that might appear to be the subject. For instance, in the sentence “The basket of apples is ripe,” the word “basket” might appear like the subject, but it`s not. The subject is “apples,” and the verb “is” agrees with it.

How to avoid subject-verb agreement errors:

One of the easiest ways of avoiding subject-verb agreement errors is by always identifying the subject of the sentence. Once you have identified the subject, it becomes easier to determine whether the verb agrees with it or not. Additionally, writers need to pay attention to the number and person of the subject to ensure that the verb is appropriately conjugated.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of writing that writers need to master. It ensures clarity and coherence in writing, making it easier for readers to understand the intended message. By following the tips shared in this article, writers can avoid subject-verb agreement errors and produce flawless content.