What is “subject/verb agreement”?: Difference between revisions

Making sure that the subject and verb agree in a sentence is important. When they agree correctly they will make the essay or report easier to read and understand. There are a few techniques that will need to be taken to ensure the subject and verb are in agreement.The verb in every independent or dependent clause must agree with its subject in person or number <ref>Butler, Eugenia, et al., Correct Writing. 6th Ed. Lexington: D.C. Hath and Company, 1995, p. 143.[http://www.amazon.com/Correct-Writing-Eugenia-Butler/dp/0669340731]</ref>.   

*singular- indicating one person or thing

*plural- indicating more than one person or thing

For the subject and verb to agree in number singular or plural subjects must have a singular or plural verb <ref>Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell., The Concise Wadsworth Handbook. Instructor's Ed. Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2005, p.240. [http://www.amazon.com/Concise-Wadsworth-Handbook-Laurie-Kirszner/dp/142829192X]</ref>. The subject takes the base form of the verb in all but the third person singular to make the subject and verb agree in person. The subject and verb must comply in number.  In third person singular add an ''s'' or ''es'' to the base form of the verb to make both subject and verb agree.  

*'''Example:''' The dog jumps the fence.

The subject is: '''dog'''

The verb is: '''jumps'''

*'''Example:''' The dogs jump the fence.

The subject is: '''dogs'''

The verb is: '''jump'''

"Compound subjects joined by "and" normally require a plural verb" <ref>Butler, Eugenia, et al., Correct Writing. 6th Ed. Lexington: D.C. Hath and Company, 1995, p.144. [http://www.amazon.com/Correct-Writing-Eugenia-Butler/dp/0669340731]</ref>. The only instance when this is not applicable and the subjects are considered singular is when the subjects refer to the same individual or object.

'''Remember:''' "Nouns joined by "and" are thought of as a unit or actually refer to the same person or thing, the verb is normally singular" <ref>Butler, Eugenia, et al., Correct Writing. 6th Ed. Lexington: D.C. Hath and Company, 1995, p.145. [http://www.amazon.com/Correct-Writing-Eugenia-Butler/dp/0669340731]</ref>.

*'''Example:''' The restaurant owner and head chef is coming to the party. (referring to the same person, singular)

When compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor”, the verb follows the nearest subject.  

*'''Example:''' My brother or sister is throwing me a party. (nearest subject, sister, is singular)

*'''Example:''' Neither my boss or co-workers are feeling well today. (nearest subject, co-workers, is plural)

Verbs sometimes come before the subject. This change in order can lead to error in agreement <ref>Butler, Eugenia, et al., Correct Writing. 6th Ed. Lexington: D.C. Hath and Company, 1995, p.144. [http://www.amazon.com/Correct-Writing-Eugenia-Butler/dp/0669340731]</ref>.  . It is sometimes difficult to remember when the verb comes before the subject.

-Under no circumstances ''can we'' accept cheques.

-In no way ''can he'' be held responsible.

-At no time ''did she say'''' she would come.

Round the corner came the postman.

On the doorstep was a bunch of flowers.

''Seldom'' have I seen such a beautiful view.

''Rarely'' did he pay anyone a compliment.

''Never'' had I felt so happy.

''Hardly had I begun'' to speak when I was interrupted.

''Scarcely had we started our meal'' our meal when the phone rang.

''No sooner had I arrived'' than they all started to argue.

''Only'' after the meeting ''did I realize'' the importance of the subject.

''Here comes'' the winner!

''There goes'' all our money!

An intervening expression is an expression that describes the subject and should not affect the verb. Verbs are sometimes separated by words that describe the subject. This can make it difficult to make sure that the subject and verb agree. The key is to make sure that the verb agrees with the subject and not with the word in the modifying phrase.

"Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things" <ref>Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. New York, Boston: Bedford/St.Martin’s, 2003. [http://books.google.com/books?id=g489u9j0XAMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Hacker,+Diana.+A+Writer%E2%80%99s+Reference&hl=en&sa=X&ei=U_1GU4yDO6vnsASEoIHQDw&ved=0CEQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Hacker%2C%20Diana.%20A%20Writer%E2%80%99s%20Reference&f=false]</ref>. Some of these indefinite pronouns are always singular or always plural. But some can change their number—they can be either singular or plural, depending on the context.A few examples of Indefinite Pronouns are all, anything, neither, somebody, several, both, everyone, etc.  

Somebody is at the door. ("Somebody" is singular; therefore, the linking verb is "is" instead of "are.")

Both do well at taking tests. ("Both" is plural (referring to more than one); therefore the linking verb is "do" instead of "does.")