Subject verb agreement is an essential grammar rule in the English language. If you`re not familiar with it, subject verb agreement simply refers to the rule that dictates that the verb used in a sentence should agree in number with the subject of the sentence. This means that if the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb should be singular too, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural too.
In this article, we will focus specifically on rule 3 of subject verb agreement, which deals with the use of collective nouns. Collective nouns are words that refer to a group of people, animals or things, such as « team, » « herd, » or « family. » Rule 3 states that when a collective noun is used as the subject of a sentence, the verb used should agree in number with the context of the sentence.
To help you understand this rule better, here are some examples:
1. The team is practicing hard for the upcoming game.
In this sentence, « team » is the subject, and the verb « is » is used, which is singular. This is because the sentence is talking about the team as a unit, rather than as individual members. Even though « team » refers to a group of people, we use a singular verb because it is being treated as a single entity.
2. The herd of cows are grazing in the field.
In this example, « herd » is the subject, and the verb « are » is used, which is plural. This is because the sentence is describing the cows as individual animals within the group. In this context, « herd » is being used to refer to a collection of individual objects, rather than a single entity, which is why a plural verb is used.
3. The family is planning a vacation to Hawaii.
In this sentence, « family » is the subject, and the verb « is » is used, which is singular. This is because the focus of the sentence is on the family unit as a whole, rather than the individual members. Even though « family » refers to multiple individuals, it is being treated as a single entity in this context.
In conclusion, rule 3 of subject verb agreement deals with the use of collective nouns. When using such words as the subject of your sentence, it`s essential to choose the right verb form that agrees in number with the context of the sentence. Remember to take note of the examples above and apply the rule in your writing to ensure proper grammar and clarity.
