Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that states that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. This means that if the subject of the sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well.
For example:
– The cat sits on the mat. (singular subject, singular verb)
– The cats sit on the mat. (plural subject, plural verb)
Incorrect subject-verb agreement can lead to confusion and ambiguity in sentences. It is important to pay attention to the subject and verb in a sentence to ensure that they agree in number.
It’s important to note that there are some instances where subject-verb agreement can be more complex. For example, when dealing with collective nouns (such as “team” or “group”), the verb can either be singular or plural depending on whether the emphasis is on the group as a whole or the individuals within the group. In cases like these, it’s important to consider the context of the sentence to determine the appropriate verb form.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures clarity and consistency in sentences. It is important to understand and apply this rule to avoid common errors and communicate effectively.