Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of English grammar that is often overlooked. However, without proper subject-verb agreement, your writing may appear unprofessional, confusing, and difficult to read. One lesser-known term for subject-verb agreement is `concordance,` which refers to the grammatical rule that dictates that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number.
In simpler terms, this means that singular subjects must have singular verbs, and plural subjects must have plural verbs. For example, “The dog barks loudly” is a grammatically correct sentence since the subject (dog) is singular, and the verb (barks) agrees in number. On the other hand, “The dogs bark loudly” is also correct since the subject (dogs) is plural, and the verb (bark) agrees in number.
However, subject-verb agreement can become more complicated when using compound subjects, inverted sentences, indefinite pronouns, and collective nouns. For instance, when using compound subjects, you must ensure that the verb agrees with the appropriate subject. In the sentence “The cat and the dog are playing,” the subject (cat and dog) is plural, and the verb (are) agrees in number.
When dealing with inverted sentences, the subject may come after the verb. In such cases, it is crucial to identify the subject and ensure that it agrees with the verb. For example, “Down the street walks a man” may appear grammatically incorrect at first glance, but it is correct since the subject (man) is singular, and the verb (walks) agrees in number.
Indefinite pronouns such as anyone, everyone, someone, and nobody require special attention when it comes to subject-verb agreement. These pronouns are singular, and you should use singular verbs with them. For example, “Someone is at the door” is a correct sentence since the subject (someone) is singular, and the verb (is) agrees in number.
Collective nouns, such as team, family, and committee, can be singular or plural, depending on the context in which they are used. For instance, “The team is playing well” is correct since team is treated as a singular noun. On the other hand, “The team are fighting among themselves” is also correct since team is treated as a plural noun.
In conclusion, concordance, also known as subject-verb agreement, is a vital grammatical rule that must be observed to ensure clear and effective communication through writing. By following the rules of concordance, writers can produce polished and professional writing that readers can appreciate.
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