Which Of The Following Sentences Uses Incorrect Subject/verb Agreement

Which of the Following Sentences Uses Incorrect Subject/Verb Agreement? A Deep Dive into Grammatical Concord

Subject-verb agreement, a cornerstone of grammatical accuracy, dictates that a sentence's verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. Mastering this seemingly simple rule is crucial for clear, effective communication, both in writing and speaking. Let's delve into the nuances of subject-verb agreement and identify the sentence with the incorrect subject-verb pairing from a hypothetical set of examples. This exploration will also cover common pitfalls and strategies for avoiding errors in the future.

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement: The Basics

Before we analyze specific sentences, let's solidify our understanding of the fundamental principles. The core concept revolves around matching the singularity or plurality of the subject with the corresponding form of the verb.

Simple Examples:

• Singular Subject, Singular Verb: The dog barks loudly. (Singular subject "dog" matches singular verb "barks")
• Plural Subject, Plural Verb: The dogs bark loudly. (Plural subject "dogs" matches plural verb "bark")

Common Challenges and Exceptions

While the basics seem straightforward, numerous complexities can arise, often leading to errors in subject-verb agreement. These include:

1. Intervening Phrases:

Phrases placed between the subject and the verb often cause confusion. The verb should always agree with the main subject, not with any nouns or pronouns within the intervening phrase.

Example:

• Incorrect: The box of chocolates are delicious. (The verb "are" is incorrect; it should agree with the singular subject "box")
• Correct: The box of chocolates is delicious. (The singular verb "is" correctly agrees with the singular subject "box")

2. Compound Subjects:

Compound subjects joined by "and" generally take a plural verb. However, exceptions exist when the compound subject refers to a single entity or concept.

Examples:

• Plural Verb: Peanut butter and jelly are my favorite sandwich filling. (Two distinct items, hence plural verb)
• Singular Verb: Peanut butter and jelly is a classic combination. (Referred to as a single entity, hence singular verb)

3. Subjects Joined by "or" or "nor":

With subjects joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Examples:

• Neither the cat nor the dogs are allowed inside. (The plural subject "dogs" is closer to the verb, resulting in a plural verb)
• Neither the dogs nor the cat is allowed inside. (The singular subject "cat" is closer to the verb, hence a singular verb is used)

4. Collective Nouns:

Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members.

Examples:

• Singular Verb: The team is undefeated this season. (The team is acting as a single unit)
• Plural Verb: The team are arguing amongst themselves. (The team members are acting individually)

5. Indefinite Pronouns:

Indefinite pronouns (e.g., some, any, none, all) can take singular or plural verbs depending on the context. Often, this depends on the noun they refer to.

Examples:

• Singular Verb: Some of the cake is left. (Refers to a portion of the singular noun "cake")
• Plural Verb: Some of the cookies are left. (Refers to a portion of the plural noun "cookies")

6. Inverted Sentence Structure:

In sentences with inverted structures (where the verb comes before the subject), it's crucial to correctly identify the subject to ensure proper agreement.

Example:

• Incorrect: There is many reasons for the delay.
• Correct: There are many reasons for the delay. (The plural subject "reasons" requires the plural verb "are")

Analyzing Hypothetical Sentences for Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement

Now, let's examine a hypothetical set of sentences to identify the one with incorrect subject-verb agreement. This exercise will reinforce our understanding of the concepts discussed above.

Hypothetical Sentences:

1. The flock of birds soar gracefully through the sky.
2. Each of the students submit their assignments on time.
3. Neither the cat nor the dogs are allowed inside.
4. The committee has reached a decision.
5. Many of the participants were unhappy with the results.
6. There goes the last piece of cake.
7. Everybody in the class need to bring their own materials.
8. The number of complaints have increased significantly.

Analysis:

1. The flock of birds soar gracefully through the sky. This is incorrect. "Flock" is a collective noun, and while sometimes plural, here it acts as a singular unit, requiring the singular verb "soars."

2. Each of the students submit their assignments on time. This is incorrect. "Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun, therefore the verb should be "submits." The pronoun "their" should also be "his or her" for strict grammatical agreement.

3. Neither the cat nor the dogs are allowed inside. This is correct. The verb agrees with the closest subject ("dogs").

4. The committee has reached a decision. This is correct. "Committee" acts as a singular unit.

5. Many of the participants were unhappy with the results. This is correct. "Many" refers to a plural number of participants.

6. There goes the last piece of cake. This is correct. The subject is "piece," which is singular.

7. Everybody in the class need to bring their own materials. This is incorrect. "Everybody" is a singular indefinite pronoun, and should take the singular verb "needs." "Their" should ideally be "his or her" here, as well.

8. The number of complaints have increased significantly. This is incorrect. The subject is "number," which is singular, requiring the singular verb "has."

Conclusion: Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a critical aspect of grammar and ensuring clear communication. While simple in its core principle, various exceptions and complex sentence structures can easily lead to errors. By understanding these complexities and practicing consistent application, we can significantly improve the clarity and precision of our writing and speaking. Regular review of the rules and careful attention to detail are key to mastering this fundamental element of grammatical correctness. Remember to always identify the true subject of your sentence, regardless of intervening phrases or complex sentence structures, to ensure accurate subject-verb agreement. Consistent practice will help solidify your understanding and enhance your communication skills significantly.