When it comes to writing effectively and professionally, understanding the rules of subject-verb agreement is crucial. It ensures that your sentences are grammatically correct and easy to read. Whether you are writing an academic paper, a blog post, or a marketing copy, mastering these rules will make your writing stand out.
To help you improve your writing skills, we have compiled a list of 24 rules of subject-verb agreement in a handy PDF format. Here are some of the top rules for subject-verb agreement that you should be aware of:
1. A singular subject takes a singular verb. For example, “The cat sleeps on the chair.”
2. A plural subject takes a plural verb. For example, “The cats sleep on the chairs.”
3. Collective nouns, such as “team” or “committee,” can take a singular or plural verb depending on the context. For example, “The team is playing a game” or “The team are arguing over the decision.”
4. When a sentence begins with “there” or “here,” the verb agrees with the subject that follows. For example, “There is a book on the table” or “Here are the pens you asked for.”
5. Use “is” when the subject is a singular noun phrase, and “are” when the subject is a plural noun phrase. For example, “The book is heavy” or “The books are heavy.”
6. In sentences with “either…or” or “neither…nor,” the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. For example, “Neither the dog nor the cat is hungry.”
7. When a subject is separated from its verb by a phrase or clause, make sure the verb agrees with the subject. For example, “The group of students who are studying for exams is very focused.”
9. In sentences with “one of” or “each of,” use a singular verb. For example, “Each of the students is responsible for their own work.”
10. Avoid using “they” as a singular pronoun. Instead, use “he or she,” “him or her,” or rephrase the sentence to avoid the issue.
These are just a few of the rules of subject-verb agreement that you should keep in mind when writing. By following these rules, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
If you are serious about improving your writing skills, we recommend downloading our 24 rules of subject-verb agreement PDF. It is a valuable resource that you can refer to time and time again, ensuring that your writing is always at its best.
