Subject-Verb Agreement

Key Concepts

• Singular Subjects
• Plural Subjects
• Indefinite Pronouns

Explanation of Each Concept

Singular Subjects

A singular subject is a word or phrase that refers to one person, place, thing, or idea. When a singular subject is followed by a verb, the verb must also be in its singular form. For example, "The cat" is a singular subject, and it requires a singular verb like "runs" or "sleeps."

Plural Subjects

A plural subject is a word or phrase that refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. When a plural subject is followed by a verb, the verb must be in its plural form. For example, "The cats" is a plural subject, and it requires a plural verb like "run" or "sleep."

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are words that refer to nonspecific people or things. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular, such as "each," "either," "neither," "one," and "everyone." Others are always plural, such as "both" and "few." It's important to know which indefinite pronouns are singular and which are plural to use the correct verb form.

Examples and Analogies

Example of Singular Subjects

Consider the sentence: "The dog barks loudly." Here, "The dog" is a singular subject, and the verb "barks" is in its singular form to agree with the subject.

Example of Plural Subjects

In the sentence: "The dogs bark loudly." Here, "The dogs" is a plural subject, and the verb "bark" is in its plural form to agree with the subject.

Example of Indefinite Pronouns

Look at the sentence: "Everyone brings their own lunch." Here, "Everyone" is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular, so the verb "brings" is also singular.

Insightful Content

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures clarity and correctness in sentences. By understanding the distinction between singular and plural subjects and knowing how to handle indefinite pronouns, you can construct sentences that are grammatically accurate and easy to understand. This skill is essential for effective communication in both written and spoken English.