Common Errors in Subject Verb Agreement

Subject verb agreement is an important aspect of English grammar that can make or break the clarity of a sentence. When there is an error in subject verb agreement, the sentence can become confusing or even incomprehensible. In this article, we will explore common errors in subject verb agreement and provide tips on how to avoid them.

1. Singular and plural subjects

One of the most common errors in subject verb agreement is confusing singular and plural subjects. In English grammar, singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs. For example, “The cat runs” is correct, but “The cat run” is incorrect because “cat” is a singular subject that requires a singular verb.

2. Indefinite pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are words like “anyone,” “someone,” and “everyone” that refer to people in general. These pronouns can be tricky because they can be either singular or plural depending on the context. For example, “Everyone is here” is correct because “everyone” is a singular indefinite pronoun. However, “Somebody left their wallet” is incorrect because “somebody” is singular, but “their” is plural.

3. Compound subjects

Compound subjects are two or more subjects joined by “and.” When the subjects are joined by “and,” they usually require a plural verb. For example, “Tom and Jerry are running” is correct because “Tom” and “Jerry” are compound subjects that require a plural verb.

4. Collective nouns

Collective nouns are words that refer to groups of people or things, such as “team,” “family,” or “audience.” When a collective noun is used as a single entity, it requires a singular verb. For example, “The team is winning” is correct because “team” is a collective noun that requires a singular verb. However, when a collective noun is used to describe individual members of the group, it requires a plural verb. For example, “The team are wearing different jerseys” is correct because “team” is used to describe individual members and requires a plural verb.

5. Prepositional phrases

Prepositional phrases are phrases that begin with a preposition, such as “in,” “on,” or “to.” These phrases can sometimes be confusing when it comes to subject verb agreement. The verb should agree with the subject, not the object of the preposition. For example, “The book on the shelf is interesting” is correct because “book” is the subject, not “shelf.”

In conclusion, subject verb agreement is an essential aspect of English grammar that can have a significant impact on the clarity of a sentence. By understanding the common errors in subject verb agreement and following these simple tips, you can avoid making these mistakes and communicate effectively in your writing.