Subject Verb Agreement Easy Rules

Subject-verb agreement is one of the most important aspects of writing and grammar, and yet it is also one of the most commonly overlooked. When we’re rushing to put together a blog post or article, it’s easy to overlook whether the subject and verb of each sentence match. However, subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication. Fortunately, there are some easy rules to follow that can help you get it right every time.

Rule #1: The verb must agree with the subject in number.

This means that singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. For example:

– The cat is sleeping. (singular subject, singular verb)

– The cats are sleeping. (plural subject, plural verb)

Rule #2: Ignore words that come between the subject and verb.

Many writers get confused when there are words like “along with,” “together with,” or “as well as” that come between the subject and verb. However, these words do not change the subject-verb agreement. For example:

– My brother, along with his friends, is going to the beach. (singular subject, singular verb)

– The book, as well as the movie, was interesting. (singular subject, singular verb)

Rule #3: Use the singular verb with «either/or» and «neither/nor» constructions.

When you have a sentence that includes either/or or neither/nor, the verb should agree with the closer subject. For example:

– Neither my sister nor my parents are coming to the party. (plural subject, plural verb)

– Either the cat or the dog is responsible for the mess. (singular subject, singular verb)

Rule #4: Use plural verbs with collective nouns that refer to a group as a whole.

When a collective noun is used to refer to a group as a whole, use a plural verb. For example:

– The team are playing well this season. (plural subject, plural verb)

– The committee are meeting tomorrow. (plural subject, plural verb)

Rule #5: Use a singular verb with fractions, amounts of money, and other measurements.

When writing about fractions, amounts of money, or other measurements, use a singular verb. For example:

– Two-thirds of the pizza has been eaten. (singular subject, singular verb)

– Ten dollars is not enough to buy a ticket. (singular subject, singular verb)

Subject-verb agreement may seem like a minor detail, but it can greatly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. By following these easy rules, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and easy to understand.