The agreement of the verb with the subject is an essential grammar rule that every writer must understand and use correctly. This rule refers to ensuring that the verb in a sentence agrees in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third) with its subject. Failing to comply with this rule can lead to confusion, ambiguity, and errors in writing.
To illustrate, consider the following examples:
Incorrect: The group of students was dancing to their favorite song.
Correct: The group of students were dancing to their favorite song.
In the first sentence, the verb “was” is singular, while the subject “group of students” is plural. The sentence should use the plural verb “were” to match the subject. Therefore, the correct sentence is the second one.
Incorrect: Me and my friend goes to the mall every Saturday.
Correct: My friend and I go to the mall every Saturday.
In the first sentence, the subject is “me and my friend,” which is incorrect since “me” is an object pronoun. Additionally, the verb “goes” is singular, while the subject is plural. The correct sentence should have “my friend and I” as the subject, using the correct subject pronoun “I” and the plural verb “go.” Therefore, the correct sentence is the second one.
Understanding and correctly applying the agreement of the verb with the subject rule is crucial in writing clear, concise, and effective sentences. To avoid confusion and errors, consider the following tips:
1. Identify the subject of the sentence and its number (singular or plural).
2. Determine the appropriate form of the verb based on the subject`s number and person (first, second, or third).
3. Ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in number and person.
In conclusion, the agreement of the verb with the subject is an essential rule in grammar, and writers should understand and apply it correctly. By following the tips mentioned above, writers can avoid errors and produce clear, effective, and professional writing.
