Subject-verb agreement is one of the fundamental rules of grammar that every writer and editor must know. It ensures that the verb in a sentence agrees with the subject in terms of number (singular or plural). However, many writers and speakers often make mistakes when it comes to subject-verb agreement, leading to irregular subject-verb agreement in their writing. In this article, we`ll discuss what irregular subject-verb agreement is, why it occurs, and how to avoid it.

What is irregular subject-verb agreement?

Irregular subject-verb agreement occurs when the subject and verb in a sentence do not agree in number, but in a way that is not simply due to the subject being singular or plural. In other words, the combination of the subject and verb appears to be grammatically incorrect. Here`s an example:

One of the books are missing.

In this sentence, the subject “one of the books” is singular, but the verb “are” is plural. This is an example of an irregular subject-verb agreement.

Why does irregular subject-verb agreement occur?

Irregular subject-verb agreement occurs for several reasons. One reason is that the writer may be confused about which word is the subject of the sentence. In the example above, the writer may have been thinking of “books” as the subject instead of “one.”

Another reason is that the writer may be influenced by the noun closest to the verb. For example, in the sentence “A group of students is/are coming to the party,” the word “students” is closer to the verb, which may cause the writer to choose “are” instead of “is.”

How to avoid irregular subject-verb agreement

To avoid irregular subject-verb agreement, writers and editors can follow these guidelines:

1. Identify the subject of the sentence: Look for the noun or pronoun that the verb should agree with.

2. Determine the number of the subject: Is it singular or plural?

3. Choose the correct verb form: If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. If the subject is plural, use a plural verb.

4. Watch out for noun phrases: Sometimes the subject can be a noun phrase, which can be singular or plural depending on the noun in the phrase. For example, in the sentence “The group of singers is/are arriving,” the subject is “group,” which is singular, so the verb should be “is.”

5. Be mindful of intervening words: Words like “and,” “or,” and “nor” can make the subject plural, so the verb should be plural as well. For example, in the sentence “The cat and the dog are sleeping,” both “cat” and “dog” are subjects, so the verb should be plural.

Conclusion

Irregular subject-verb agreement can be a tricky grammar issue to navigate, but with practice, writers and editors can avoid making such errors. By being mindful of the subject, its number, and choosing the correct verb form, writers can ensure their writing is grammatically correct and easier to read. Whether you`re writing for personal or professional purposes, adhering to subject-verb agreement rules is crucial for conveying your message effectively.