Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of writing that often goes overlooked. It is a rule that determines the correct usage of verbs in relation to the subject of a sentence. This rule can be tricky for some writers, but with a little attention to detail, everyone can master it.

The subject of a sentence refers to the noun or pronoun that is performing the action or being described. The verb, on the other hand, refers to the action being performed by the subject. To ensure proper subject-verb agreement, the verb must agree with the subject in number and person.

In general, the rule for subject-verb agreement is straightforward. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. For example, “The dog barks” is a sentence with a singular subject (dog) and a singular verb (barks). Similarly, “The dogs bark” is a sentence with a plural subject (dogs) and a plural verb (bark).

However, some sentences can be more complex and require a little more attention to detail. Here are some tips to keep in mind when dealing with subject-verb agreement in more complex sentences:

1. Collective Nouns: Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things, but are considered singular in form. For example, “The team is playing well” refers to a group of individuals playing together, but the verb (is) is singular to match the singular form of the collective noun (team).

2. Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, somebody, and each are always singular and require singular verbs. For example, “Everybody enjoys a good movie” uses the singular verb enjoys to match the singular indefinite pronoun (everybody).

3. Compound Subjects: Compound subjects refer to two or more nouns or pronouns joined by conjunctions such as “and” or “or.” When the compound subjects are joined by “and,” the verb used should be plural. Conversely, when they are joined by “or,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For example, “The cat and the dog are playing” uses a plural verb (are) to match the compound subject (cat and dog).

4. Titles and Names: When using titles or names as a subject, the verb should agree with the noun or pronoun that follows the title or name. For example, “The President of the United States is giving a speech” uses the singular verb “is” to match the singular noun “President.”

In conclusion, proper subject-verb agreement is crucial in writing clear and effective sentences. By following these rules, writers can effectively convey their message and avoid grammatical errors. Remember, always double-check your subject and verb agreement to ensure that your writing is clear and grammatically correct.