Section 2 Cherry Tree Ex 2.1
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Subject-Verb Agreement on English Grammar
Subject-Verb Agreement is a fundamental rule in English
grammar that ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number.
Here are the key points to remember:
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs,
and plural subjects take plural verbs: For example, "The cat is sleeping"
(singular subject "cat" takes singular verb "is") and
"The cats are sleeping" (plural subject "cats" takes plural
verb "are").
2. Basic Agreement Rules:
• Singular
subjects usually take singular verbs ending in -s or -es (e.g., "he
talks").
• Plural
subjects usually take plural verbs without -s or -es (e.g., "they
talk").
3. Collective nouns: Collective nouns (such as
"team," "family," "audience") can be singular or
plural, depending on whether they're functioning as a single unit or as individuals.
For example, "The team is practicing" (treated as a single unit)
versus "The team are arguing" (individual members).
4. Indefinite pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns,
like "everyone," "each," "everybody,"
"anyone," and "nobody," are singular and require singular
verbs. Others like "both," "few," "many,"
"several" are plural and require plural verbs.
5. Compound subjects: When two or more subjects are
joined by "and," they usually take a plural verb (e.g., "Tom and
Jerry are friends"). However, if they're seen as a single unit or refer to
the same person/thing, they take a singular verb (e.g., "Peanut butter and
jelly is my favorite sandwich").
6. Subjects separated by phrases: When a subject is separated
from its verb by phrases or clauses, it's essential to identify the actual
subject to ensure agreement. For example, "The book, along with the pen,
is on the table" (subject "book" is singular, so the verb is
singular).
7. Inverted sentences: In sentences beginning with
"there" or "here," the subject follows the verb. Ensure the
agreement by identifying the subject after the verb. For example, "There
are many books on the shelf" (the subject "books" is plural, so
the verb is plural).
8. Titles, names, and singular nouns: Singular nouns, including
titles and names, take singular verbs, even if they refer to multiple entities.
For example, "The Chronicles of Narnia is a popular series"
(referring to multiple books but treated as a singular entity).
Mastering subject-verb agreement enhances clarity and coherence in writing, ensuring that sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand.