Subject-verb agreement is one of the fundamental rules of English grammar that every writer must remember when constructing a sentence. This grammar rule dictates that the verb must agree with the subject in number and person. Thus, singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs.

Subject-verb agreement may seem like a simple grammar rule, but it can be tricky at times. That`s why writers should always have a handy reference guide at hand, such as an English subject-verb agreement rules PDF.

Here are some of the essential subject-verb agreement rules found in most English grammar guides:

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs. For instance, “The dog barks” and “The teacher explains the lesson.”

2. Plural subjects take plural verbs. For example, “The dogs bark” and “The teachers explain the lesson.”

3. Compound subjects that are joined by “and” require plural verbs. For example, “The dog and the cat play together” or “The teacher and the students are on vacation.”

4. If the compound subject is joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For instance, “Neither the dog nor the cat likes the food” or “Either the teacher or the students have the answers.”

5. Collective nouns like group, team, or committee can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. For example, “The team is excited about the game” or “The committee are discussing the proposal.”

6. Singular nouns that refer to a group of people, such as “family,” “audience,” or “class,” can be either singular or plural, depending on whether the writer is referring to the group as a unit or as individuals.

7. Indefinite pronouns like “everybody,” “someone,” or “none” are always singular and require singular verbs. For example, “Everybody knows the answer” or “No one is perfect.”

8. Singular verbs that end in “s” or “es” are used with third-person singular subjects. For example, “She runs” and “He loves.”

9. Irregular verbs like “be,” “have,” and “do” have their own unique forms in different tenses, but they still must agree with the subject in number and person.

Remembering and applying these subject-verb agreement rules is crucial in ensuring clear and effective communication in writing. Having an English subject-verb agreement rules PDF at hand can help writers avoid common grammar mistakes and advance their writing skills.