Subject-verb agreement is one of the foundational rules in English grammar, yet it can often be tricky, leading to common mistakes even for fluent speakers. This article will provide a detailed guide on mastering subject-verb agreement, exploring frequent errors and offering tips to avoid them.

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

At its core, subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must agree with its subject in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well.

• Singular subject + singular verb:
  • Example: She runs every morning.
• Plural subject + plural verb:
  • Example: They run every morning.

While this rule seems simple, there are several scenarios where it’s easy to make mistakes. Let’s look at these common areas of confusion.

Common Mistakes in Subject-Verb Agreement

1. Subjects Separated by Phrases When the subject is separated from the verb by a phrase or clause, it’s easy to lose sight of the correct subject-verb pairing.
   • Incorrect: The bouquet of flowers are beautiful.
   • Correct: The bouquet of flowers is beautiful.
     • The subject is “bouquet,” which is singular, so the verb should be singular.
2. Subjects with Collective Nouns Collective nouns (like family, team, audience, and class) can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.
   • Singular: The team is winning the match. (The team is acting as one unit.)
   • Plural: The team are arguing with each other. (The team members are acting individually.)
3. Indefinite Pronouns Many indefinite pronouns such as everyone, anybody, each, and somebody are singular, even though they may seem to imply more than one person.
   • Incorrect: Everyone are excited for the event.
   • Correct: Everyone is excited for the event.
   However, pronouns like both, few, many, and several are plural.
   • Example: Many are interested in learning English.
4. Subjects Joined by “And” or “Or”
   • When two subjects are joined by and, the verb is typically plural.
     • Example: Sarah and Tom are going to the party.
   • When two subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
     • Example: Neither the teacher nor the students are ready for the test.
     • Example: Either the students or the teacher is responsible for the decorations.
5. Subjects that Appear Plural but are Singular Some subjects look plural but are treated as singular in English. Words like news, mathematics, physics, and economics are examples of this.
   • Incorrect: The news are shocking.
   • Correct: The news is shocking.
6. Inverted Word Order In questions or sentences beginning with “here” or “there,” the subject often follows the verb. Make sure to identify the subject and match the verb accordingly.
   • Incorrect: There is many reasons for this.
   • Correct: There are many reasons for this.
7. Compound Subjects with “Every” and “Each” When every or each is used before a compound subject, the verb should be singular.
   • Incorrect: Every boy and girl have arrived.
   • Correct: Every boy and girl has arrived.

Tips for Avoiding Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes

1. Identify the True Subject When sentences are complex or have phrases that separate the subject from the verb, take the time to identify the core subject. This will help ensure that the verb matches.
2. Be Aware of Collective Nouns Consider whether the collective noun is acting as a single unit or as individual members, and adjust the verb accordingly.
3. Learn the Rules for Indefinite Pronouns Memorize which indefinite pronouns are singular and which are plural. This will help you avoid common mistakes in sentences that begin with these pronouns.
4. Read the Sentence Out Loud Sometimes, subject-verb agreement errors become more apparent when you hear the sentence spoken aloud. If it doesn’t sound right, there’s a good chance the agreement is off.

Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement is an essential skill for writing and speaking clear and correct English. By understanding the rules and paying attention to common pitfalls, you can avoid frequent mistakes and ensure that your sentences are grammatically accurate. Practicing these rules in everyday writing will lead to a more confident command of English grammar.