Navigating Subject-Verb Agreement: A Practical Guide for College Students

by Larry Alexander

January 3, 2024

Happy New Year, Everyone!!

Introduction

As college students, clear and effective communication is paramount in academic writing. One critical aspect of grammar that often influences the coherence of your sentences is subject-verb agreement. Mastering this rule is essential for conveying your ideas accurately. In this article, we’ll delve into the fundamentals of subject-verb agreement to help you understand this idea better.

Understanding the Basics

Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule stating that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Let’s explore this concept with some examples:

1. The student (singular) attends the lecture.
2. The students (plural) attend the lecture.

In the first example, the singular subject “student” is paired with the singular verb “attends.” Conversely, in the second example, the plural subject “students” is matched with the plural verb “attend.”

Common Pitfalls and Solutions

Now, let’s identify some common pitfalls in subject-verb agreement and provide strategies to overcome them.

1. False Subjects:
   • Incorrect: “The list of ingredients on the recipe sound delicious.”
   • Correct: “The list of ingredients on the recipe sounds delicious.”
   In this example, the true subject is “list,” which is singular. The verb “sounds” agrees with the singular subject.
2. Compound Subjects:
   • Incorrect: “Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.”
   • Correct: “Peanut butter and jelly are my favorite sandwich.”
   When dealing with compound subjects connected by “and,” use a plural verb.
3. Collective Nouns:
   • Incorrect: “The committee decides on the issue.”
   • Correct: “The committee decide on the issue.”
   Collective nouns, like “committee,” can be tricky. In this case, the plural verb “decide” agrees with the collective noun “committee.”
4. Indefinite Pronouns:
   • Incorrect: “None of the pizza has been eaten.”
   • Correct: “None of the pizza have been eaten.”
   Certain indefinite pronouns, such as “none,” can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the context. Here, the plural verb “have” is appropriate because it refers to the slices of pizza.

Practical Strategies for Mastery

1. Listen for the S Sounds:
   • Pay attention to the sounds as you speak and write. This helps you catch instances where the s sounds in verbs might be dropped.
2. Beware of False Subjects:
   • Ensure the verb agrees with the true subject, not a misleading noun.
3. Practice with Compound Subjects:
   • When dealing with compound subjects, remember to use a plural verb.
4. Mind Collective Nouns:
   • Treat collective nouns as singular or plural based on the context.
5. Navigate Indefinite Pronouns:
   • Be aware of the nuances associated with indefinite pronouns and adjust your verb accordingly.

Conclusion

Subject-verb agreement is a foundational element of effective communication. By understanding the basics, recognizing common pitfalls, and employing practical strategies, you can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing. Regular practice and application of these principles will contribute to improved grammatical proficiency, ensuring your ideas are communicated accurately in the academic realm and beyond.

An Additional Resource

For a more detailed discussion of subject-verb agreement, please see the Paradigm Online Writing Assistant at:

https://www.powa.org/edit/six-problem-areas.html?start=1