Sentences with Correct Subject and Verb Agreement

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When it comes to writing, it`s important to have proper subject-verb agreement so that your language is clear and easy to understand. This means that the subject of the sentence should match the verb in terms of number and tense. Here are some tips for ensuring that your sentences have correct subject and verb agreement:

1. Identify the subject of the sentence.

The subject of the sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. It can be singular or plural, and it can come at the beginning, middle or end of the sentence. Once you identify the subject, you can choose the appropriate verb to match it.

2. Use a singular verb with a singular subject.

If the subject of the sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular. For example, “The dog barks” is correct because “dog” is a singular subject and “barks” is a singular verb.

3. Use a plural verb with a plural subject.

If the subject of the sentence is plural, the verb must also be plural. For example, “The dogs bark” is correct because “dogs” is a plural subject and “bark” is a plural verb.

4. Be mindful of collective nouns.

Collective nouns are singular nouns that represent a group of people or things. Examples include “family,” “team,” and “population.” When using a collective noun as a subject, you can use either a singular or plural verb, depending on the context. For example, “The team is practicing” and “The team are practicing” are both correct, but the latter is more common in British English.

5. Pay attention to verb tense.

The verb tense should match the subject in terms of when the action is happening. For example, “I am running” is present tense because the action is happening now, whereas “I ran” is past tense because the action already happened.

In conclusion, having proper subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication. Remember to identify the subject of the sentence and use a verb that matches it in terms of number and tense. With practice, you`ll be able to write sentences with correct subject and verb agreement effortlessly.