Exploring Subject-Verb Concord Rules in English

Understanding subject-verb concord is a fundamental aspect of mastering English grammar. While it might seem straightforward, there are instances where the rules can be tricky. In this article, we'll delve into legitimate scenarios where subject-verb concord plays a crucial role. We'll also provide practical examples to help you grasp the concept more effectively.

What is Subject-Verb Concord?

Subject-verb concord refers to the agreement that exists between the subject and the verb in a sentence. Generally, a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. However, there are exceptions and nuances that make it more complex.

Common Subject-Verb Agreement Issues

English only has one formal subject-verb agreement rule: third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) require an ending on the verb. This rule can be challenging, especially with tricky subject-verb pairs. Here are some examples:

There is a chair in the room. There are three tables. A large percentage of the population is considered happy. More than half of the students are absent today.

These examples illustrate the complexities of subject-verb agreement, particularly when dealing with collective nouns, percentages, and numbers.

Practical Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement

Below, you can find 30 practical examples of subject-verb agreement. Each sentence follows the rules of subject-verb concord, and they are intended to help you better understand how these rules are applied in everyday language.

Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement

Here are 30 instances of subject-verb agreement rules:

The dog barks at the mailman. The cats sleep on the sofa. The children play in the park. The birds sing in the trees. The flowers bloom in the spring. The teacher explains the lesson to the students. The students study hard for their exams. The football team practices every day. The musician plays the guitar beautifully. The chef prepares delicious meals for the customers. The doctor examines the patient carefully. The company hires new employees every month. The government enforces laws to maintain order. The writer publishes a new book every year. The artist paints colorful pictures on the canvas. The driver follows the traffic rules on the road. The waiter serves food and drinks to the customers. The singer performs a concert for the audience. The athlete trains hard for the competition. The police officer patrols the streets to ensure safety. The customer buys groceries at the supermarket. The actor memorizes lines for the movie. The nurse takes care of the patients in the hospital. The employee submits a report to the manager. The volunteer helps the homeless people in the community. The investor buys stocks in the stock market. The traveler visits new places and experiences new cultures. The scientist conducts experiments in the laboratory. The astronaut explores outer space in the spacecraft. The researcher collects data for the study.

Additional Tips for Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement

Here are a few additional tips to help you master subject-verb agreement:

Remember to look for subordinating conjunctions like although, if, when, etc., which often introduce clauses that need to agree in number with the main clause. Avoid double negatives; they can confuse subject-verb agreement rules. Pay particular attention to collective nouns, which can either be singular or plural depending on the context. For example, the team is plural, but the United Nations is singular. Understand how fractions behave; one half takes a singular verb, while half of the cake takes a plural verb.

By practicing with these examples and tips, you'll become more proficient in subject-verb concord and enhance your overall English language skills.