Subject verb agreement is an essential aspect of writing that often goes unnoticed. However, it is crucial to use the correct form of the verb that matches the subject in both number and person. In this article, we will examine some lecture notes on subject verb agreement that can help you improve your writing skills.

Lecture Note 1: Singular and Plural Nouns

The verb that follows a singular subject must be singular. Similarly, the verb that follows a plural subject must be plural.

Example:

– Singular subject: The cat is sleeping.

– Plural subject: The cats are sleeping.

Lecture Note 2: Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are words like anyone, everyone, someone, nobody, and each. They refer to non-specific individuals or things, and the verb that follows them must be singular.

Example:

– Singular verb: Anyone can attend the meeting.

Lecture Note 3: Collective Nouns

A collective noun refers to a group of people or things, but it is treated as a singular noun. Therefore, the verb that follows a collective noun must be singular.

Example:

– Singular verb: The team is playing well.

Lecture Note 4: Compound Subjects

A compound subject refers to two or more subjects that are connected by and. When the subjects are joined by and, the verb that follows them must be plural.

Example:

– Plural verb: John and Mary are coming to the party.

Lecture Note 5: Inverted Sentences

Inverted sentences have the subject after the verb. When the subject is plural, the verb that follows it must be plural.

Example:

– Plural verb: Are the students ready for the exam?

Lecture Note 6: Agreement in Tense

Subject-verb agreement should also match in tense. If the subject is in the present tense, the verb that follows it should also be in the present tense. If the subject is in the past tense, the verb that follows it should also be in the past tense.

Example:

– Present tense: The dog barks loudly.

– Past tense: The dog barked loudly.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a critical aspect of writing that can affect the clarity and accuracy of your message. By following the lecture notes above, you can improve your writing skills and ensure that your writing is grammatically correct, clear, and concise.