Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement in English

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures the subject and verb in a sentence correspond in number and person. This agreement is particularly important in complex sentences where multiple subjects or phrases are involved. Let’s explore the rules and examples to clarify how subject-verb agreement works.

Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is generally straightforward: a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. However, the complexity arises when dealing with compound subjects and phrases that include both singular and plural nouns.

When Subjects are Similar in Number

If the subjects are similar in number (both singular or both plural), the verb should also be in the same number. For example:

Singular:

Not only the cat but also the dog is playful.

Plural:

Not only the cats but also the dogs are playful.

When Subjects Differ in Number

If the subjects differ in number, the verb typically agrees with the subject that is closer to it in the sentence. This is often known as the 'proximity rule.' Here are a few examples:

Singular and Plural:

Not only the teacher but also the students are attending the meeting.

Plural and Singular:

Not only the students but also the teacher is attending the meeting.

In each case, the verb are is used because it agrees with the plural subject in proximity to the verb. This rule is particularly important when using phrases like neither/nor and either/or, which often require similar treatment in terms of subject proximity.

Compound Subjects with 'Not Only' and 'But Also'

When using the correlative conjunctions not only and but also, the verb should agree with the subject that is closer to it. Here’s how it works:

Not only the mom but her pups are hungry. Not only the pups but their mom is hungry. Both the mom and her pups are hungry.

The key is to focus on the subject closest to the verb when determining the subject-verb agreement. In the first example, 'pups' are closer to the verb 'are,' so 'are' is used. In the second example, 'mom' is closer to the verb 'is,' thus 'is' is used. The third example includes both subjects, maintaining subject-verb agreement for both 'mom' and 'pups.'

Agent-Doer Clarification

Sentences discussing actions can sometimes be confusing. Sure, the action (e.g., 'playing outside') can be considered as the agent or doer, but the subject remains the entity performing the action. For instance:

Not only the cat but also the dog is playing outside.

Here, 'cat' and 'dog' are the subjects, and the verb 'is playing' agrees with the singular 'cat' (or needs adjustment to a plural form for consistent agreement).

Not only the dogs but also the cat is playing outside.

In this sentence, 'dogs' are closer to the verb 'is playing,' making it 'are playing,' as 'dogs' is plural and closer to 'playing.'

These examples highlight the importance of focusing on the subject closest to the verb, even when discussing actions involving more than one subject.

Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement in English involves understanding the basic rules and recognizing the proximity rule. Whether dealing with singular and plural subjects, compound subjects, or phrases like 'not only' and 'but also,' always identify the subject closest to the verb for correct agreement.