Pronoun Verb Agreement Rules

As a writer, it’s crucial to pay attention to pronoun-verb agreement rules. This grammar rule is often overlooked, but it can make a huge difference in the clarity and quality of your writing. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of pronoun-verb agreement and provide some tips to help you use it correctly every time.

What is Pronoun-Verb Agreement?

Pronoun-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that requires the subject and verb of a sentence to agree in number. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

For example:

– The cat sits on the mat. (singular subject and verb)

– The cats sit on the mat. (plural subject and verb)

Pronoun-verb agreement can become tricky when dealing with compound subjects, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns.

Compound Subjects

Compound subjects are two or more subjects in the same sentence. In this case, the verb must agree with the subject that’s closest to it.

For example:

– The dog and the cat chase mice. (plural subject and verb)

– The cat and the kittens sleep. (plural subject and verb)

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to groups of people or things and can be singular or plural depending on how they’re used in a sentence.

For example:

– The team is playing tonight. (singular subject and verb)

– The team are all wearing red jerseys. (plural subject and verb)

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to things or people without specifying exactly what they are. Some examples of indefinite pronouns include someone, everybody, anybody, nobody, and everyone. These pronouns are usually singular, and the verb should agree with them.

For example:

– Everyone loves pizza. (singular subject and verb)

– Some people enjoy swimming. (plural subject and verb)

Tips for Using Pronoun-Verb Agreement Correctly

1. Identify the subject

Before you can ensure proper pronoun-verb agreement, you must identify the subject of the sentence.

2. Determine the number of the subject

Determine whether the subject is singular or plural.

3. Choose the correct verb form

Choose the verb form that agrees with the subject in number.

4. Be wary of compound subjects

Remember to choose the verb form that agrees with the subject closest to the verb when dealing with compound subjects.

5. Watch out for collective nouns

Be careful to choose the correct verb form when dealing with collective nouns.

In conclusion, pronoun-verb agreement is a critical grammar rule that can make or break your writing. By following these tips, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. Remember to always identify the subject, determine its number, and choose the correct verb form to maintain proper pronoun-verb agreement throughout your writing.