Three Subject Verb Disagreements

Three Common Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Subject-verb agreement, the grammatical rule requiring a verb to agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject, is fundamental to clear and effective writing. While seemingly simple, several tricky situations can lead even experienced writers astray. This article will delve into three common subject-verb agreement errors, providing clear explanations, examples, and strategies to master this essential grammatical skill. Mastering subject-verb agreement significantly improves the clarity and professionalism of your writing, making it more impactful and credible. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to tackle these challenges head-on.

1. Intervening Phrases and Clauses: The Distraction Technique

One frequent source of subject-verb disagreement involves intervening phrases or clauses placed between the subject and the verb. These extra phrases can act as distractors, leading writers to mistakenly agree the verb with a word within the phrase rather than the actual subject.

The Rule: Ignore intervening phrases and clauses when determining subject-verb agreement. Focus solely on the subject itself.

Example of Incorrect Agreement:

Incorrect: The box of chocolates, sitting on the table, are almost gone.

Correct: The box of chocolates, sitting on the table, is almost gone.

Explanation: The subject is "box," which is singular. The intervening phrase "of chocolates, sitting on the table" is descriptive but does not change the subject's singularity. Therefore, the verb must be singular ("is").

More Examples of Incorrect and Correct Agreement:

Incorrect: The team of players, along with their coach, are celebrating their victory.

Correct: The team of players, along with their coach, is celebrating their victory.

Incorrect: My collection of stamps, carefully organized in albums, take up a lot of space.

Correct: My collection of stamps, carefully organized in albums, takes up a lot of space.

Incorrect: The group of students, each diligently working on their assignments, seems restless today.

Correct: The group of students, each diligently working on their assignments, seems restless today. (Note: While "students" is plural, the subject is the singular "group".)

Practice: Identify the correct verb in the following sentences:

1. The basket of apples, slightly bruised from the journey, (is/are) still delicious.
2. The flock of birds, soaring high above the trees, (flies/fly) gracefully.
3. The pile of books, stacked neatly on the shelf, (occupies/occupy) a significant amount of space.

Answers: 1. is, 2. fly, 3. occupies

2. Compound Subjects and the Conjunction "Or" and "Nor"

Compound subjects, involving two or more subjects joined by a coordinating conjunction, present another area where subject-verb agreement can be challenging. The conjunctions and, or, and nor each impact agreement differently.

The Rule with "and": When two or more subjects are joined by "and," use a plural verb.

Examples:

• My brother and sister are coming for dinner.
• Apples and oranges are my favorite fruits.
• Diligence and perseverance pay off in the long run.

The Rule with "or" and "Nor": When two or more subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Examples:

• Neither the dog nor the cats are allowed inside. (The verb agrees with "cats")
• Either John or Mary is responsible for the project. (The verb agrees with "Mary")
• Neither the birds nor the owl was seen that night. (The verb agrees with "owl")

Exceptions with "or" and "nor":

If one of the subjects is plural and the other is singular, and the plural subject is closer to the verb, then a plural verb will be used even though the meaning of the sentence suggests a singular verb would be more appropriate. The grammatical rule will take priority. For instance:

*Neither the students nor the professor were satisfied with the exam results.

Special Cases with Compound Subjects:

Consider the following cases:

When subjects are considered a single unit: Phrases like "peanut butter and jelly" or "fish and chips" take singular verbs. They are treated as single entities.

Example: Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.

When referring to the same person or thing: When a compound subject refers to the same person or thing, use a singular verb.

Example: The author and illustrator of the book is coming to the school.

Practice: Choose the correct verb form for the following sentences:

1. My friend and colleague (is/are) attending the conference.
2. Neither the teacher nor the students (was/were) prepared for the pop quiz.
3. Either the cat or the dogs (is/are) making that noise.
4. Macaroni and cheese (is/are) a comfort food for many.

Answers: 1. are, 2. were, 3. are, 4. is

3. Collective Nouns: The Unity Paradox

Collective nouns, such as team, family, group, committee, and class, refer to a collection of individuals as a single unit. The tricky aspect lies in determining whether to use a singular or plural verb with them.

The Rule: Collective nouns generally take singular verbs when referring to the group as a whole. However, they take plural verbs when emphasizing the individual members of the group acting independently.

Examples of Singular Verbs (group acting as one unit):

• My family is going on vacation next month.
• The team has a winning record.
• The committee is meeting to discuss the proposal.

Examples of Plural Verbs (individuals acting independently):

• My family are arguing about where to go on vacation.
• The team are all heading in different directions after practice.
• The committee are divided on the proposal.

Context is Key: The choice between singular and plural verbs hinges entirely on the context and intended meaning. Consider whether you're emphasizing the group's unity or the individual actions of its members.

Other Collective Nouns: Remember, many other words can act as collective nouns, including words like audience, flock, herd, swarm, and crowd. The same principle applies: singular verbs emphasize the group's unity, while plural verbs highlight individual actions within the group.

Practice: Select the correct verb for these sentences:

1. The audience (was/were) captivated by the performance.
2. The jury (has/have) reached a verdict.
3. The herd of cattle (grazes/graze) peacefully in the meadow.
4. The class (is/are) divided on the topic of the debate.

Answers: 1. was, 2. has, 3. graze, 4. is (although a case can be made for 'are' depending on the context, 'is' emphasizes unity of the class as a single entity.)

Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect

Subject-verb agreement might appear straightforward at first glance, but the nuances discussed above showcase its complexity. Mastering these three common pitfalls – intervening phrases, compound subjects, and collective nouns – significantly enhances your writing clarity and precision. Consistent practice is key. Review examples, create your own sentences, and gradually build your confidence in applying these rules correctly. By paying attention to the subject and understanding how intervening elements, conjunctions, and collective nouns affect verb agreement, you can confidently avoid these common errors and create clear, effective, and professional writing. Remember that clarity and grammatical correctness are crucial for strong communication.