One of the basic rules of English grammar is subject-verb agreement. In simple terms, this means that the verb in a sentence must agree with its subject in terms of number and person. However, when it comes to dealing with plural and singular subjects, this rule can sometimes be a bit confusing.
The basic rule of thumb is that when the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. For example, “The cat is sleeping” is correct while “The cat are sleeping” is incorrect. Similarly, when the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural. For example, “The cats are sleeping” is correct while “The cats is sleeping” is incorrect.
However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. One of the most common exceptions is when the subject and verb are separated by a phrase or clause. In this case, it`s important to make sure the subject and verb still agree in terms of number.
For example, consider the following sentence: “The group of students is going on a field trip.” In this case, “group” is the subject and is singular, but the verb “is going” might seem to suggest a plural subject. However, the subject of the sentence is actually “group,” not “students,” so the singular verb is correct.
Another exception to the rule occurs when the subject is a collective noun – a singular noun that refers to a group of people or things. For example, “The team is playing well” is correct even though “team” refers to multiple players.
So, why is subject-verb agreement important in English grammar? For one, it helps to make sentences clear and easy to understand. When the subject and verb agree, it`s clear to readers or listeners who or what is performing the action in the sentence. Additionally, using proper subject-verb agreement can also help to improve your writing`s SEO. By using the right verb tense, you can help your content rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
To sum it up, when it comes to subject-verb agreement in English grammar, it`s important to remember the basic rule – singular subjects go with singular verbs, and plural subjects go with plural verbs. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, so it`s important to pay attention to the context of the sentence and make sure the subject and verb still agree in terms of number and person, even if they`re separated by other words or clauses. By following these guidelines, you`ll be able to write clear, concise, and effective sentences that are both SEO-friendly and easy to read.
