Avoiding Common Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes

 

Subject-verb agreement—ensuring your verb agrees in number (singular or plural) with your subject—is a cornerstone of grammatical correctness.  While seemingly simple, several common pitfalls trip up even experienced writers. This blog post breaks down three key areas where subject-verb agreement errors frequently occur, offering clear explanations and practical examples.

1.  Tricky Singular Subjects: Words That Deceive

Certain words and phrases can disguise the true number of the subject, leading to agreement errors.  Here are some common culprits:

* Collective Nouns: Words like team, group, family, and committee are singular when referring to the group as a single unit, but plural when referring to the individual members.

* Example (Singular): The team is practicing hard for the championship. (The team acts as one unit.)

* Example (Plural): The team are arguing about their strategies. (The individual members are involved in the argument.)

* Indefinite Pronouns: Words like everyone, someone, anyone, nobody, each, and either are always singular.

* Example: Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting.

* Fractional Expressions:  The verb agrees with the noun following the fraction.

* Example: One-third of the students are absent today.

* Example: One-third of the cake is gone.

Application Tip:  Carefully identify the true subject of the sentence.  If unsure, try replacing the subject with a simple pronoun (he/she/it or they) to check for agreement.

2.  Intervening Phrases: Don't Be Fooled by Distractions

Phrases placed between the subject and the verb can sometimes obscure the subject-verb relationship, leading to errors.  These phrases often begin with words like as well as, in addition to, along with, and together with.  The verb should agree with the main subject, not the elements within the intervening phrase.

* Example: The teacher, along with her students, is attending the conference. (The main subject is "teacher," which is singular.)

* Example: The students, along with their teacher, are excited about the trip. (The main subject is "students," which is plural.)

Application Tip:  Ignore intervening phrases when determining subject-verb agreement.  Focus solely on the main subject and its number.

3. Compound Subjects: Multiple Subjects, Multiple Possibilities

Compound subjects—two or more subjects joined by a conjunction—present unique challenges.  The agreement rules depend on the conjunction used:

* And:  When subjects are joined by and, the verb is usually plural.

* Example:  The cat and the dog are playing together.

* Or/Nor: When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

* Example: Neither the cats nor the dog is allowed inside.

* Example: Neither the dog nor the cats are allowed inside.

Application Tip:  When dealing with compound subjects, carefully consider the conjunction and the number of each subject to determine the correct verb form.

By understanding these common pitfalls and applying the tips provided, you can significantly reduce subject-verb agreement errors in your writing.  Consistent practice and careful attention to detail are key to mastering this essential aspect of grammar.