Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of grammar that ensures clear communication between the writer and reader. It ensures that the subject and the verb of a sentence agree in number, meaning that singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. When it comes to compound subjects, it`s essential to understand how subject-verb agreement works to avoid making grammatical errors.
A compound subject is made up of two or more subjects that are connected by coordinating conjunctions, such as “and,” “or,” and “but.” For instance, “Mary and John are attending the party.” This sentence has two subjects, Mary and John, connected by the coordinating conjunction “and.” To form a correct sentence, the verb must agree with the number of the compound subject.
When dealing with a compound subject with “and,” the verb should be plural. For example, “The dogs and cats are sleeping.” In this sentence, the verb “are” agrees with the compound subject “dogs and cats” in the plural form.
On the other hand, when dealing with a compound subject with “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For instance, “The pizza or the burgers are good options for dinner.” This sentence has a compound subject “pizza” and “burgers,” connected by the coordinating conjunction “or.” Since “burgers” is closer to the verb “are,” the verb agrees with “burgers” in number, making it plural.
When it comes to compound subjects connected by “both/and” or “either/or,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, “Either the cat or the dog is responsible for the mess.” In this sentence, the verb “is” agrees with the singular subject “dog” closest to it.
In some cases, a compound subject that refers to the same person or thing may be joined by “and” or “or.” In such cases, the compound subject is considered singular, and the verb should agree with it in the singular form. For example, “Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.” In this sentence, the compound subject “peanut butter and jelly” refers to the same sandwich and should be treated as a singular subject, and the verb “is” agrees with it in the singular form.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement for compound subjects can be challenging, but it`s essential to ensure clear communication between the writer and reader. Remember that when dealing with a compound subject, the verb should agree in number with the subject closest to it. Avoid making the common mistake of using plural verbs with singular compound subjects or using singular verbs with plural compound subjects. By mastering subject-verb agreement for compound subjects, you enhance your writing and boost your credibility as a writer.