Subject-verb disagreement is a common grammatical error that many people commit without even realizing it. It occurs when the subject of a sentence does not agree with the verb in terms of number. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural. In this article, we will define three types of subject-verb disagreement and provide examples of each.
1. Indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific people or things. Examples include “everyone,” “anyone,” “someone,” “nobody,” etc. In sentences containing these pronouns, the verb should agree with the pronoun, not the noun following it. For example:
Incorrect: Everyone who attends the meeting are required to bring a notebook.
Correct: Everyone who attends the meeting is required to bring a notebook.
Incorrect: Someone left their jacket on the chair.
Correct: Someone left his or her jacket on the chair. (or) Someone left their jacket on the chair, if you prefer using “they” as a gender-neutral pronoun
2. Compound subjects
Compound subjects are formed when two or more subjects are connected by conjunctions such as “and,” “or,” or “but.” In sentences containing compound subjects, the verb should agree with the number of the subjects. For example:
Incorrect: Apples, bananas, and oranges is my favorite fruits.
Correct: Apples, bananas, and oranges are my favorite fruits.
Incorrect: John and Mary goes to the gym every day.
Correct: John and Mary go to the gym every day.
3. Collective nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things. Examples include “team,” “family,” “audience,” “government,” etc. In sentences containing collective nouns, the verb should agree with the noun in terms of whether it is singular or plural. For example:
Incorrect: The family have decided to go on vacation together.
Correct: The family has decided to go on vacation together.
Incorrect: The government are discussing the new policy.
Correct: The government is discussing the new policy.
In conclusion, subject-verb disagreement is a common grammatical error that can be easily avoided by paying attention to the number of the subject and the verb. Remember to check for indefinite pronouns, compound subjects, and collective nouns, and ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in terms of number. This will help to improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing, especially when it comes to SEO.
