Agreement Mean: Understanding the Importance of Subject-Verb Agreement
As a professional, one of the most common errors I come across in writing is the lack of subject-verb agreement. This error occurs when the subject and verb in a sentence do not agree in number. While the mistake may seem minor, it can significantly affect the clarity and accuracy of a sentence.
To better understand the importance of subject-verb agreement, let`s first define what it means. Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example, “The boy runs” is correct, while “The boy run” is incorrect.
Subject-verb agreement is essential because it clarifies the meaning of a sentence and ensures that the verb matches the subject`s number. This agreement is critical in preventing confusion and ambiguity in writing. Moreover, it establishes a sense of coherence in a sentence, making it easier to read and understand.
Let`s look at an example of how subject-verb agreement can affect the clarity of a sentence:
Incorrect: The group of students was excited to attend the field trip, but not everyone have their permission slips.
Correct: The group of students was excited to attend the field trip, but not everyone had their permission slips.
In the first example, the subject “group of students” is singular, but the verb “have” is plural. This discrepancy could lead the reader to believe that there are multiple groups of students, which changes the sentence`s meaning. In the correct sentence, the verb “had” agrees with the singular subject, clarifying that only one group of students is referred to in the sentence.
To avoid subject-verb agreement errors, it is crucial to identify the subject of a sentence first. Once you have identified the subject, ensure that the verb matches the subject in number. This process becomes more complicated when the subject is a collective noun or is separated from the verb by a long phrase.
Collective nouns, such as “group,” “team,” and “family,” can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. For example, “The team is winning” is correct, while “The team are winning” is incorrect. To determine whether a collective noun is singular or plural, look at its meaning in the sentence. If the collective noun refers to one unit or entity, use a singular verb. If the collective noun refers to individual members, use a plural verb.
Long phrases that separate the subject from the verb can also cause agreement errors. For example, “One of the topics discussed in the meeting was the budget cuts.” In this sentence, the subject is “one,” which is singular, but the verb “were” is plural, matching the noun phrase “topics discussed.” To avoid this error, always identify the subject before choosing the correct verb.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is essential to clear and accurate writing. A lack of agreement can confuse and obscure the meaning of a sentence, leading to miscommunication. As a professional, I always make sure to check for subject-verb agreement to ensure that the writing is easy to read and understand for both humans and search engines.