Subject-verb agreement is a crucial element in any piece of writing, and it becomes even more important when dealing with compound subjects. A compound subject is a subject in which two or more nouns, phrases, or clauses are joined by conjunctions like ‘and’, ‘or’, or ‘nor’. In this article, we will discuss the rules for subject-verb agreement of compound subjects.
Rule #1: Singular subjects joined by ‘and’
When two singular subjects are joined by the conjunction ‘and’, the resulting compound subject is plural. Therefore, the verb that follows the compound subject should also be plural. For example:
– Jenny and Mark are going to the party.
In this sentence, ‘Jenny and Mark’ is a compound subject, and the verb ‘are’ is plural, to agree with the subject.
Rule #2: Singular and plural subjects joined by ‘and’
If a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by ‘and’, the verb should agree with the subject that is closer to the verb. For example:
– The cat and two dogs are sleeping.
Here, the word ‘cat’ is singular, and ‘two dogs’ is plural. However, since the word ‘dogs’ is closer to the verb ‘are’, the verb should be plural, to agree with the plural subject.
Rule #3: Subjects joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’
When two subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the verb should agree with the subject closest to the verb. If the subject closest to the verb is singular, the verb should be singular; if it is plural, the verb should be plural. For example:
– Neither the cat nor the dogs are hungry.
In this sentence, ‘cat’ is singular, but ‘dogs’ is plural. Since ‘dogs’ is closer to the verb ‘are’, the verb should be plural, to agree with the plural subject.
Rule #4: Collective nouns
A collective noun refers to a group of people or things, but it is considered as a singular entity. For example:
– The team is practicing for the upcoming game.
In this sentence, ‘team’ is the subject, and it is singular. Therefore, the verb ‘is’ is also singular, to agree with the subject.
Rule #5: Indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns like ‘everyone’, ‘someone’, ‘anyone’, and ‘nobody’ are considered as singular subjects. For example:
– Someone is knocking on the door.
In this sentence, ‘someone’ is the subject, and it is singular. Therefore, the verb ‘is’ is also singular, to agree with the subject.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is an essential element of grammar, and it is crucial to follow the rules when dealing with compound subjects. Remember to check the number and type of subjects in a compound subject to determine whether the verb should be singular or plural. By following these rules, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and effective in conveying your message to your audience.