Subject-verb agreement is one of the most fundamental concepts in the English language, but it’s also one of the most overlooked. Many writers, especially those who are just starting out, often overlook this crucial aspect of grammar when putting together sentences and paragraphs.
However, subject-verb agreement is an essential technique that ensures your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what subject-verb agreement is and how you can use it to improve your writing.
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement refers to the idea that a verb must agree with its subject in number. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular as well. Similarly, if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
Here are a few examples to help you understand the concept:
– Incorrect: The cat chase the mouse.
– Correct: The cat chases the mouse. (singular subject, singular verb)
– Incorrect: The cats chase the mouse.
– Correct: The cats chase the mouse. (plural subject, plural verb)
As you can see, it`s essential to match the number of the subject with the correct verb form.
Tips for Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement
Now that you have a better understanding of subject-verb agreement, here are some tips to help you use this technique effectively in your writing:
1. Identify the Subject
Before you can match the subject and verb correctly, you must first identify the subject. The subject is usually the noun or pronoun that performs the action in the sentence. Once you have identified the subject, you can decide whether the verb should be singular or plural.
2. Be Aware of Tricky Subjects
There are certain nouns that can be tricky when it comes to subject-verb agreement. For example, words such as “everyone,” “anyone,” and “no one” are always singular, even though they might refer to multiple people. Similarly, words that end in -s, such as “mathematics” and “physics,” are also singular.
3. Pay Attention to Verb Tense
Along with matching the number of the subject, it`s essential to match the verb tense with the intended meaning of the sentence. For example, if the subject is in the present tense, the verb should also be in the present tense. Similarly, if the subject is in the past tense, the verb should also be in the past tense.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice
As with any other writing technique, practice makes perfect when it comes to subject-verb agreement. The more you practice matching subjects and verbs correctly, the easier it will become. Also, it`s always a good idea to have someone else read your writing to catch any mistakes you might have overlooked.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement might seem like a minor detail, but it`s a crucial component of clear and concise writing. By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your writing and avoid common mistakes. Remember to always identify the subject, be aware of tricky subjects, pay attention to verb tense, and practice, practice, practice!