The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 131 views

Understanding Verb Agreement in English

Introduction

In the English language, verb agreement is a fundamental concept that helps us construct grammatically correct sentences. It refers to the process of choosing the correct verb form to match the subject of a sentence. In this article, we will explore the concept of verb agreement, focusing on the subject-verb agreement rules and how to apply them in sentences.

What is Verb Agreement?

Verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar that ensures the subject and verb in a sentence are consistent in number (singular or plural). The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that performs the action described by the verb. For example, in the sentence "The dog runs," the subject is "The dog," and the verb is "runs." In this case, the verb "runs" agrees with the subject "The dog" in number (singular).

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

To determine the correct verb form, we need to follow the subject-verb agreement rules. Here are the main rules:

Singular subjects: When the subject is singular (one), the verb is also singular. For example:

"The cat sleeps." (The subject "The cat" is singular, and the verb "sleeps" is also singular.)
"The city is beautiful." (The subject "The city" is singular, and the verb "is" is also singular.)

Plural subjects: When the subject is plural (more than one), the verb is also plural. For example:

"The dogs run." (The subject "The dogs" is plural, and the verb "run" is also plural.)
"The students are studying." (The subject "The students" is plural, and the verb "are studying" is also plural.)

Collective nouns: Collective nouns, such as "family," "team," or "group," can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. For example:

"The family is going on vacation." (The subject "The family" is singular, and the verb "is going" is also singular.)
"The team are playing well." (The subject "The team" is plural, and the verb "are playing" is also plural.)

Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns, such as "someone," "anyone," or "no one," are always singular. For example:

"Someone is at the door." (The subject "Someone" is singular, and the verb "is" is also singular.)
"Anyone can apply." (The subject "Anyone" is singular, and the verb "can apply" is also singular.)

Applying Verb Agreement in Sentences

Now that we have covered the subject-verb agreement rules, let's apply them in sentences. Consider the following examples:

Example 1: "The student are studying for the exam." (Incorrect)

Corrected sentence: "The students are studying for the exam." (The subject "The students" is plural, and the verb "are studying" is also plural.)

Example 2: "The team is playing well." (Incorrect)

Corrected sentence: "The team are playing well." (The subject "The team" is plural, and the verb "are playing" is also plural.)

Example 3: "The family is going on vacation." (Correct)

The subject "The family" is singular, and the verb "is going" is also singular.

Conclusion

In conclusion, verb agreement is a fundamental concept in English grammar that ensures the subject and verb in a sentence are consistent in number. By following the subject-verb agreement rules, we can construct grammatically correct sentences. Remember to consider the subject of a sentence and choose the correct verb form to match it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between "is" and "are" in verb agreement? A: "Is" is used for singular subjects, while "are" is used for plural subjects.
Q: How do I determine the correct verb form for a sentence? A: To determine the correct verb form, identify the subject of the sentence and choose the verb form that matches it in number (singular or plural).
Q: What are some common mistakes in verb agreement? A: Some common mistakes in verb agreement include using the wrong verb form for a plural subject or using a singular verb form for a plural subject.

References

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation: A comprehensive guide to English grammar and punctuation, including verb agreement.
The Chicago Manual of Style: A style guide for writers, including guidelines on verb agreement.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary: A dictionary that provides definitions and examples of verb agreement.
Verb Agreement Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Introduction

Verb agreement is a fundamental concept in English grammar that can be tricky to master. In this article, we will address some of the most frequently asked questions about verb agreement, providing clear and concise answers to help you improve your grammar skills.

Q&A: Verb Agreement

Q1: What is the difference between "is" and "are" in verb agreement?

A1: "Is" is used for singular subjects, while "are" is used for plural subjects. For example:

"The cat is sleeping." (The subject "The cat" is singular, and the verb "is" is also singular.)
"The dogs are barking." (The subject "The dogs" is plural, and the verb "are" is also plural.)

Q2: How do I determine the correct verb form for a sentence?

A2: To determine the correct verb form, identify the subject of the sentence and choose the verb form that matches it in number (singular or plural). For example:

"The student is studying for the exam." (The subject "The student" is singular, and the verb "is" is also singular.)
"The students are studying for the exam." (The subject "The students" is plural, and the verb "are" is also plural.)

Q3: What are some common mistakes in verb agreement?

A3: Some common mistakes in verb agreement include:

Using the wrong verb form for a plural subject (e.g., "The students is studying for the exam.")
Using a singular verb form for a plural subject (e.g., "The students is going to the party.")
Using a plural verb form for a singular subject (e.g., "The cat are sleeping.")

Q4: How do I handle collective nouns in verb agreement?

A4: Collective nouns, such as "family," "team," or "group," can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. For example:

"The family is going on vacation." (The subject "The family" is singular, and the verb "is" is also singular.)
"The team are playing well." (The subject "The team" is plural, and the verb "are" is also plural.)

Q5: What about indefinite pronouns in verb agreement?

A5: Indefinite pronouns, such as "someone," "anyone," or "no one," are always singular. For example:

"Someone is at the door." (The subject "Someone" is singular, and the verb "is" is also singular.)
"Anyone can apply." (The subject "Anyone" is singular, and the verb "can apply" is also singular.)

Q6: Can you provide more examples of verb agreement?

A6: Here are some additional examples of verb agreement:

"The teacher is teaching the class." (The subject "The teacher" is singular, and the verb "is" is also singular.)
"The teachers are teaching the class." (The subject "The teachers" is plural, and the verb "are" is also plural.)
"The book is on the shelf." (The subject "The book" is singular, and the verb "is" is also singular.)
"The books are on the shelf." (The subject "The books" is plural, and the verb "are" is also plural.)

Conclusion

Verb agreement is a fundamental concept in English grammar that can be tricky to master. By understanding the rules of verb agreement and practicing with examples, you can improve your grammar skills and communicate more effectively. Remember to identify the subject of a sentence and choose the verb form that matches it in number (singular or plural).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between "is" and "are" in verb agreement? A: "Is" is used for singular subjects, while "are" is used for plural subjects.
Q: How do I determine the correct verb form for a sentence? A: Identify the subject of the sentence and choose the verb form that matches it in number (singular or plural).
Q: What are some common mistakes in verb agreement? A: Using the wrong verb form for a plural subject, using a singular verb form for a plural subject, and using a plural verb form for a singular subject.

References

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation: A comprehensive guide to English grammar and punctuation, including verb agreement.
The Chicago Manual of Style: A style guide for writers, including guidelines on verb agreement.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary: A dictionary that provides definitions and examples of verb agreement.