Subject-verb agreement is an important rule of grammar that dictates that the subject and verb of a sentence must agree in number. This means that if the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. This rule may seem simple, but it can often be tricky, particularly in situations where the subject is compound or where there are intervening phrases or clauses.
To help you better understand subject-verb agreement, we have provided a few example sentences. Choose the sentence that shows correct subject-verb agreement.
1. The flowers in the vase looks lovely.
2. The flower in the vase look lovely.
3. The flowers in the vase look lovely.
The correct sentence is #3. In this sentence, the subject is «flowers,» which is plural, so the verb «look» must also be plural. In sentence #1, the verb «looks» is singular, which does not agree with the plural subject «flowers.» In sentence #2, the verb «look» is plural, but the subject «flower» is singular, which also does not agree.
Here is another example:
1. Neither the cat nor the dog likes to eat vegetables.
2. Neither the cat nor the dog like to eat vegetables.
3. Neither the cats nor the dogs like to eat vegetables.
The correct sentence is #2. In this sentence, the subject is «neither the cat nor the dog,» which is singular, so the verb «like» must also be singular. In sentence #1, the verb «likes» is singular, which agrees with «cat» but not with «dog.» In sentence #3, the subject is plural («cats» and «dogs»), so the verb «like» must also be plural, which does not agree with the singular word «neither.»
Keeping subject-verb agreement in mind is essential for clear and effective writing. By following this rule, your writing will be more coherent, and your readers will have an easier time understanding your message.