Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammatical rule that dictates selecting the appropriate verb form for a given noun or pronoun. When constructing sentences in the English language, ensuring that the correct verb form agrees with the subject of the sentence is essential for clear communication. In this article, we`ll be focusing on plural verbs and how to use them correctly.
A plural verb is a verb form that corresponds to the plural form of its subject, i.e., a noun or pronoun that refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. When using plural verbs in sentences, it is essential to ensure that the verb form matches the number of the subject. For example, « The students are playing » and « The dogs are barking » are examples of plural subject-verb agreement.
Here are some common examples of plural nouns:
1. Children
2. People
3. Dogs
4. Cats
5. Trees
6. Houses
7. Glasses
8. Chairs
9. Countries
10. Ideas
To use plural verbs correctly, you need to understand the different rules that govern how they should be used in various contexts. For instance, when using « there » or « here » as the subject, the verb should always agree with the noun that follows it.
Incorrect: There is three cars parked outside.
Correct: There are three cars parked outside.
When using collective nouns like « team, » « family, » or « group, » it is essential to consider the context and intention of the sentence. When the intention is to refer to the group as an individual unit, use a singular verb. When the intention is to refer to the individuals within the group, use a plural verb.
Incorrect: The team is playing well today.
Correct: The team are playing well today. (When referring to the individuals within the team)
Correct: The team is playing well today. (When referring to the team as a unit)
Another essential rule to consider when using plural verbs is when there are compound subjects, i.e., two or more subjects joined by « and. » When the conjunction « and » connects two or more singular subjects, use a plural verb.
Incorrect: The cat and the dog is sleeping.
Correct: The cat and the dog are sleeping.
Lastly, in instances where the noun following the verb does not refer to the subject, but rather an object or a phrase, use the subject of the sentence to determine the correct verb form.
Incorrect: The sound of the kids playing were loud.
Correct: The sound of the kids playing was loud.
In conclusion, ensuring that the subject-verb agreement of your sentences is correct can significantly improve the clarity and understandability of your message. Using plural verbs correctly is a crucial aspect of subject-verb agreement and making sure that your writing follows the rules above can go a long way in improving your writing.