Subject-verb agreement is one of the most fundamental concepts in English grammar. It establishes the correct relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. When the subject and verb do not match in number, the sentence is considered grammatically incorrect. This error is known as a subject-verb agreement error.

The errors of subject-verb agreement commonly arise when a singular subject is paired with a plural verb or vice versa. For instance, you could accidentally write “The group of students is waiting for their teacher,” instead of “The group of students are waiting for their teacher,” which would be the correct sentence.

Wrong subject-verb agreement can cause confusion and make sentences sound nonsensical. It is an error that is easy to make but easy to fix. Here are some guidelines to help you avoid this mistake in your writing:

1) Identify the Subject and Verb:

The first step in avoiding subject-verb agreement errors is to identify the subject and the verb. The subject of a sentence is the person, place, or thing the sentence is about. The verb is the action being performed. Knowing the subject and verb is essential in ensuring that their agreement is consistent.

2) Check the Number of the Subject:

The subject of a sentence can either be singular or plural. When the subject is singular, the verb should be singular too. When the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural. For instance, if you write “The boy run fast,” it would be an error because you have a singular noun paired with a plural verb. The correct sentence should be “The boy runs fast.”

3) Pay attention to Compound Subjects:

When two or more subjects are combined in a sentence by using the conjunctions ‘and’ or ‘or,’ the verb should agree with the number of the combined subjects. For example, “Mary and John are going to the party” and “Either Mary or John is going to the party” are the correct sentences.

4) Work with Collective Nouns:

When the subject is a collective noun like ‘group,’ ‘team,’ or ‘family,’ the verb can be singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence. For example, you can write “The family goes on vacation every year” or “The family members go on vacation every year.”

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement errors are common in writing, and they can be easily fixed using the above guidelines. It is always important to proofread your work and check for any inconsistencies in subject-verb agreement to ensure that your writing is clear and understandable. Remember that good grammar is essential in effective communication and reinforces your credibility as a writer.