Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that every writer and editor must master. It specifies that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. In other words, if the subject is in the singular form, the verb must also be in the singular form, and vice versa. However, when it comes to plural subjects, the rules can get a bit tricky. In this article, we will explore some examples of subject-verb agreement in plural form.
1. The students are studying hard.
In this sentence, the subject (students) is plural, and the verb (studying) is also in the plural form. Both the subject and verb agree in number, making this sentence grammatically correct.
2. The dogs barks at strangers.
Although the sentence may sound natural, it is incorrect because the subject (dogs) is plural, but the verb (barks) is in the singular form. The correct sentence should be “The dogs bark at strangers.”
3. The women was shopping at the mall.
Similar to the previous example, this sentence is incorrect because the subject (women) is plural, but the verb (was shopping) is in the singular form. The correct sentence should be “The women were shopping at the mall.”
4. The cars needs repairs.
In this sentence, the subject (cars) is plural, but the verb (needs) is in the singular form, making it incorrect. The correct sentence should be “The cars need repairs.”
5. The children enjoys playing outside.
This sentence is incorrect because the subject (children) is plural, but the verb (enjoys) is in the singular form. The correct sentence should be “The children enjoy playing outside.”
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement in plural form can be challenging, but it is crucial to ensure the clarity and accuracy of a sentence. Writers and editors must pay close attention to the singular or plural form of subjects and ensure that the verb agrees accordingly. By doing so, they can improve the quality of their writing and communicate their messages effectively.
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