Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of grammar that is important for college students to master. It involves ensuring that the verb in a sentence agrees with the subject in terms of number. A singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb. In this article, we will explore some subject-verb agreement examples for college students.
Example 1: Singular subject and singular verb
Correct: The book is on the table.
Incorrect: The book are on the table.
In this example, the subject is “book”, which is singular. Therefore, the verb “is” needs to be singular as well. Using “are” instead of “is” would be incorrect because it is a plural verb.
Example 2: Plural subject and plural verb
Correct: The students are studying for their exams.
Incorrect: The students is studying for their exams.
In this example, the subject is “students”, which is plural. Therefore, the verb “are” needs to be plural as well. Using “is” instead of “are” would be incorrect because it is a singular verb.
Example 3: Indefinite pronouns and their verbs
Correct: Everyone is responsible for their own actions.
Incorrect: Everyone is responsible for his own actions.
In this example, the subject is “everyone”, which is a singular indefinite pronoun. However, using “his” as the possessive pronoun is incorrect because it is gender-specific. It is better to use “their” instead to make the sentence gender-neutral.
Example 4: Collective nouns and their verbs
Correct: The committee is meeting tomorrow.
Incorrect: The committee are meeting tomorrow.
In this example, the subject is “committee”, which is a collective noun. Even though it refers to a group of people, it is still considered a singular entity. Therefore, the verb “is” needs to be singular as well.
Example 5: Compound subjects and their verbs
Correct: My brother and sister are coming to visit.
Incorrect: My brother and sister is coming to visit.
In this example, the subject is a compound subject made up of two people. Since the subject is plural, the verb “are” also needs to be plural.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is crucial in ensuring that a sentence is grammatically correct. College students should remember to match the subject with the appropriate verb in terms of number. By following these subject-verb agreement examples, students can write correct and effective sentences that convey their message clearly.