Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that states that the verb or verbs in a sentence must match the number, person, and gender of the subject. In English, the verb needs to match just the number and sometimes the person. For example, if the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. Some key rules for subject-verb agreement include:
- Compound subjects: When two or more subjects are linked by "and," use a plural verb.
- Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns like "someone," "anyone," and "no one" usually take a singular verb.
- Phrases between subject and verb: When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, the verb still agrees with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the phrase following the subject of the sentence.
- Inverted subjects: Inverted subjects must agree with the verb.
- Subjective complement: With subject and subjective complement of different number, the verb agrees with the subject.
By following these rules, writers can ensure that their sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand.
