As a copy editor, one of the most fundamental rules I`ve come across is the importance of subject-verb agreement. Getting this basic rule right is crucial to prevent confusion and ensure clarity in writing. In this article, I`ll be discussing 30 essential rules of subject-verb agreement worksheets that can help you perfect your writing.
Rule 1: The subject and the verb must always agree in number. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
Rule 2: A subject that refers to a single entity or person always takes a singular verb. For example, “My friend is coming for dinner.”
Rule 3: A subject that refers to multiple entities or people always takes a plural verb. For example, “The students are studying for their exams.”
Rule 4: When the subject is connected using “and,” the verb must be plural. For example, “Tom and Jerry are cartoon characters.”
Rule 5: When the subject is connected using “or” or “nor,” the verb must agree with the closest subject. For example, “Neither the teacher nor the students were interested in the topic.”
Rule 6: When the subjects connected using “or” or “nor” refer to a singular subject, the verb must be singular. For example, “Either the cat or the dog is responsible for the mess.”
Rule 7: When the collective noun is used as a single entity, it takes a singular verb. For example, “The team is playing well.”
Rule 8: When the collective noun is used as individual members, it takes a plural verb. For example, “The team are playing to their fullest potential.”
Rule 9: Indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “someone,” and “anyone” always take a singular verb. For example, “Everyone was surprised by the sudden change in weather.”
Rule 10: Indefinite pronouns like “some,” “many,” and “several” take a plural verb. For example, “Many people are attending the annual festival.”
Rule 11: If two singular subjects are connected by “either…or,” the verb must be singular. For example, “Either John or his brother is going to the party.”
Rule 12: If two singular subjects are connected by “neither…nor,” the verb must be singular. For example, “Neither the cat nor the dog is allowed on the couch.”
Rule 13: If the subject is a fraction or a percentage, the verb must agree with the noun that follows the preposition. For example, “50% of the cake is gone.”
Rule 14: When the subject is a noun followed by a prepositional phrase, the verb must agree with the noun. For example, “The group of musicians is performing tonight.”
Rule 15: When the subject is a compound noun, the verb must agree with the last noun. For example, “Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite snack.”
Rule 16: When the subject is a singular noun followed by “with,” “along with,” or “together with,” the verb takes a singular form. For example, “The teacher, along with his students, is attending the conference.”
Rule 17: When the subject is a plural noun followed by “with,” “along with,” or “together with,” the verb takes a plural form. For example, “The parents, along with their children, are enjoying the vacation.”
Rule 18: When the subject is a noun followed by “including,” “as well as,” or “together with,” the verb takes a plural form. For example, “The package containing books, as well as a notepad and pen, was delivered.”
Rule 19: When the subject is an uncountable noun, the verb takes a singular form. For example, “The milk is in the fridge.”
Rule 20: When there are two or more subjects connected by “each” or “every,” the verb is singular. For example, “Each student has to submit their assignment.”
Rule 21: When the subject is a singular noun that represents a group of people, the verb can be singular or plural. For example, “The committee has reached a decision” or “The committee have reached a decision.”
Rule 22: When the subject is a singular noun followed by “including,” “except,” or “such as,” the verb takes a singular form. For example, “A fruit salad including mangoes and pineapples is my favorite.”
Rule 23: When the subject is a plural noun followed by “including,” “except,” or “such as,” the verb takes a plural form. For example, “Fruits such as mangoes and pineapples are my favorite.”
Rule 24: When the subjects are joined by “as well as,” “in addition to,” or “along with,” the verb agrees with the first subject. For example, “The book, as well as the author, has won several awards.”
Rule 25: When the subject is a title or a phrase, the verb takes a singular form. For example, “The Catcher in the Rye is a classic novel.”
Rule 26: When the subject is a plural noun that refers to a single entity, the verb takes a singular form. For example, “The United States is a democratic country.”
Rule 27: When the subject is a singular noun that refers to multiple entities, the verb takes a plural form. For example, “The family members are living in different cities.”
Rule 28: When the subject is an inverted subject, the verb must agree with the subject, not the noun that comes before it. For example, “Over the fence jumped the deer.”
Rule 29: When the subject is separated from the verb by an intervening phrase, the verb must agree with the subject, not the phrase. For example, “In the park, the children play.”
Rule 30: When the subject is expressed by a clause, the verb must agree with the subject of the clause. For example, “What he says and what he does are two different things.”
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential part of writing clear and effective sentences. By understanding and practicing these 30 rules, you can improve your writing and avoid common mistakes. Remember to always ensure that the subject and verb agree in number, and take care when using phrases and prepositions that can affect the number of the verb. Happy writing!
