Subject Verb Agreement Error Examples

Subject-Verb Agreement Errors: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammatical concept that dictates that a verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. This seemingly simple rule can trip up even seasoned writers, leading to errors that detract from clarity and professionalism. This comprehensive guide will explore various types of subject-verb agreement errors, providing numerous examples to solidify your understanding and help you avoid these common pitfalls in your writing. Mastering subject-verb agreement is crucial for effective communication, whether you're writing an email, an essay, or a novel.

Understanding the Basics: Singular and Plural Subjects

Before diving into the complexities of subject-verb agreement errors, let's refresh our understanding of singular and plural subjects. A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or idea, while a plural subject refers to more than one.

• Singular Examples: cat, dog, house, idea, she, he, it
• Plural Examples: cats, dogs, houses, ideas, they, we

A verb 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.

• Correct: The cat sits on the mat. (Singular subject, singular verb)
• Correct: The cats sit on the mat. (Plural subject, plural verb)

Common Types of Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

Now, let's delve into the common scenarios where subject-verb agreement errors frequently occur.

1. Intervening Phrases:

One common source of error arises when phrases come between the subject and the verb. These phrases often modify the subject but don't change its number. The verb should still agree with the subject, not the words within the intervening phrase.

• Incorrect: The basket of apples are rotten.

• Correct: The basket of apples is rotten. (The subject is "basket," which is singular.)

• Incorrect: My collection of stamps, painstakingly accumulated over years, have increased in value.

• Correct: My collection of stamps, painstakingly accumulated over years, has increased in value. (The subject is "collection," which is singular.)

2. Compound Subjects:

Compound subjects consist of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction. The agreement rule depends on the conjunction used.

• And: When subjects are joined by "and," they generally take a plural verb.

  • Correct: The dog and the cat play together.
  • Correct: My brother and I are going to the movies.

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

  • Correct: Neither the cat nor the dogs are allowed inside. (The verb agrees with "dogs.")
  • Correct: Either the dog or the cat is to blame. (The verb agrees with "cat.")

• Either...or/Neither...nor: These correlative conjunctions follow the same rule as "or" and "nor". The verb should agree with the closest noun.

  • Incorrect: Neither the students nor the teacher were happy with the results.

  • Correct: Neither the students nor the teacher was happy with the results. (The verb agrees with the singular noun "teacher")

  • Incorrect: Either John or his sisters is attending the party.

  • Correct: Either John or his sisters are attending the party. (The verb agrees with the plural noun "sisters")

3. Collective Nouns:

Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, group, committee) can be either singular or plural depending on whether they refer to the group as a single unit or to the individual members within the group.

• Singular: The team is practicing hard for the championship. (The team is treated as a single unit.)
• Plural: The team are arguing amongst themselves about strategy. (The focus is on the individual members of the team.)

The context will often determine whether a collective noun should take a singular or plural verb. Consider whether you are highlighting the group's unified action or the individual actions of its members.

4. Indefinite Pronouns:

Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone, anybody, each, neither, either) are usually singular.

• Correct: Everyone is responsible for their own actions.
• Correct: Each of the students has completed the assignment.
• Incorrect: Somebody are waiting outside.
• Correct: Somebody is waiting outside.

However, some indefinite pronouns like both, few, many, several are always plural.

• Correct: Both of the candidates are qualified.
• Correct: Many have tried, but few have succeeded.

5. Subjects with Titles or Names:

The verb agrees with the subject itself, not with any descriptive or explanatory phrases that follow.

• Correct: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a classic novel. (The subject is "Adventures," which is singular.)
• Correct: The news from the front is not good. (The subject is "news," which is considered singular)
• Incorrect: The team of doctors is working around the clock, and they are tired.
• Correct: The team of doctors are working around the clock, and they are tired. (The subject is "doctors," which is plural)

6. Phrases Beginning with "There" or "Here":

Phrases beginning with "there" or "here" are not the subject of the sentence; the subject follows the verb. The verb agrees with the following subject.

• Correct: There are many reasons for this decision.
• Correct: Here is the book you requested.

7. Singular vs. Plural Nouns Ending in "-s":

Some nouns ending in "-s" are singular (e.g., news, measles, physics, economics), while others are plural (e.g., scissors, pliers, pants, glasses). Pay close attention to the noun itself to determine its grammatical number.

• Correct: The news is good.
• Correct: My glasses are broken.

8. Amounts, Measurements, and Units:

When referring to amounts, measurements, or units as a single quantity, use a singular verb; if referring to the individual items comprising those amounts, measurements, or units, use a plural verb.

• Correct: Ten dollars is a lot of money.
• Correct: Two cups of coffee are not enough to start my day.

Advanced Cases and Exceptions

While the rules above cover most common scenarios, some situations require closer examination:

• Number Agreement with Relative Clauses: When a relative clause (a clause starting with who, whom, which, that) modifies the subject, the verb in the relative clause agrees with the antecedent (the noun the pronoun refers to) of the relative pronoun.

  • Correct: The teacher who is always patient is appreciated by her students. ("Who" refers to "teacher", singular subject.)
  • Correct: The students, who are very bright, are performing exceedingly well. ("Who" refers to "students", plural subject.)

• Inverted Sentence Structure: Inverted sentences place the verb before the subject. This doesn't change the agreement rule; the verb still agrees with the subject.

  • Correct: There goes the bus. (Subject: bus, singular)
  • Correct: Down fell the apples. (Subject: apples, plural)

• Fractional Expressions: The verb agrees with the noun following the fraction or percentage.

  • Correct: Two-thirds of the cake was eaten. (The noun following "two-thirds" is "cake," which is singular)
  • Correct: One-third of the students were absent. (The noun following "one-third" is "students," which is plural.)

Improving Subject-Verb Agreement: Editing Tips

• Identify the subject: Before choosing a verb, carefully identify the subject of the sentence. Make sure you're not confused by intervening phrases.
• Determine the number: Is the subject singular or plural?
• Match the verb: Select the verb form that correctly agrees with the subject in number.
• Read aloud: Read the sentence aloud to check for awkwardness or unnatural phrasing. This can often highlight subject-verb agreement errors.
• Use a grammar checker: While not a replacement for understanding the rules, grammar checkers can identify potential errors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid?

  • A: Ignoring intervening phrases, misidentifying the subject in compound or collective noun sentences, and incorrect agreement with indefinite pronouns are frequent pitfalls.

• Q: How can I improve my subject-verb agreement skills?

  • A: Practice is key! Actively identify and correct subject-verb agreement errors in your own writing and the writing of others. Review the rules and examples provided in this guide regularly.

• Q: Is there a quick way to check for agreement errors?

  • A: While no single shortcut exists, consistently identifying the subject and ensuring the verb matches its number significantly reduces errors. Reading your work aloud after writing also proves beneficial.

Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement is a vital step in becoming a confident and effective writer. While the rules may seem initially complex, with consistent practice and a thorough understanding of the concepts presented, you'll be able to navigate these grammatical intricacies with ease. Remember to always identify the subject accurately, consider intervening phrases, and choose the verb form that appropriately reflects the subject's number. By diligently applying these principles, you'll significantly enhance the clarity, precision, and overall quality of your written communication. Subject-verb agreement is not just a grammatical rule; it's a cornerstone of effective writing, contributing significantly to your credibility and the impact of your message. So, take the time to master it, and your writing will be all the stronger for it.