The foundation of clear and effective communication lies in understanding how subjects, verbs, and adjectives work together in harmony. This comprehensive exploration delves into the intricate relationships between these essential components of English grammar.
Basic Principles of Agreement
Agreement in grammar refers to the proper matching of different parts of speech to create coherent and grammatically correct sentences. The most fundamental type of agreement occurs between subjects and verbs, where the verb form must align with the subject’s number and person.
Subject-Verb Basics
A singular subject requires a singular verb form, while a plural subject takes a plural verb form. For example:
- The dog barks at the mailman.
- The dogs bark at the mailman.
Person Agreement
The grammatical person (first, second, or third) affects verb conjugation:
- First person: I walk, We walk
- Second person: You walk
- Third person: He/She/It walks, They walk
Complex Subject-Verb Relationships
Compound Subjects
When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” they typically require a plural verb:
- Tom and Jerry chase each other.
- The book and the pen are on the desk.
Special Cases
Some compound subjects joined by “and” are considered singular:
- Bacon and eggs is my favorite breakfast.
- Wear and tear has affected the carpet.
Either/Or and Neither/Nor
With these correlative conjunctions, the verb agrees with the closer subject:
- Neither the students nor the teacher was present.
- Either the cats or the dog is responsible.
Adjective Usage and Agreement
Adjectives play a crucial role in modifying and describing nouns and pronouns. Unlike many other languages, English adjectives do not change form to agree with the nouns they modify.
Position of Adjectives
Adjectives in English typically appear in two positions:
- Attributive position (before the noun): The red car
- Predicative position (after linking verbs): The car is red
Order of Multiple Adjectives
When using multiple adjectives, a specific order is followed:
- Opinion/Quality
- Size
- Age
- Shape
- Color
- Origin
- Material
- Purpose
For example: “A beautiful large old rectangular brown Italian leather riding saddle”
Advanced Subject-Verb Considerations
Collective Nouns
These nouns can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group is acting as a unit or as individuals:
- The team is celebrating its victory. (acting as a unit)
- The team are wearing their new uniforms. (acting as individuals)
Indefinite Pronouns
- Singular indefinites (each, everyone, anybody, nobody) take singular verbs
- Plural indefinites (many, few, several, both) take plural verbs
- Some indefinites (all, some, none) can be either singular or plural depending on context
Intervening Phrases
Phrases between the subject and verb do not affect agreement:
- The box of chocolates is empty.
- The student, along with his friends, was late.
Special Cases and Common Challenges
Quantities and Measurements
When expressing quantities or measurements, the treatment varies:
- Five dollars is too much. (considered as a single amount)
- Twenty miles is a long distance.
- Two-thirds of the pie has been eaten.
Titles and Names
Titles of works, company names, and book names are typically treated as singular:
- “The Great Gatsby” remains a classic.
- McDonald’s has introduced new menu items.
- The United States is a federal republic.
Subject-Verb Agreement with Complex Structures
Relative Pronouns
The verb agrees with the antecedent of relative pronouns (who, which, that):
- She is one of those people who are always happy.
- This is the only one of my books that is signed.
Inverted Sentences
In sentences beginning with “there” or “here,” look for the true subject after the verb:
- There are many books on the shelf.
- Here comes the bride.
Gerunds and Infinitives
When used as subjects, these verbal forms take singular verbs:
- Swimming is good exercise.
- To travel extensively requires money.
Adjective Forms and Comparisons
Regular Comparisons
- Positive: tall
- Comparative: taller
- Superlative: tallest
Irregular Comparisons
- good, better, best
- bad, worse, worst
- many/much, more, most
- little, less, least
Advanced Adjective Concepts
Participial Adjectives
Present and past participles can function as adjectives:
- Present participle (-ing): The crying baby
- Past participle (-ed): The broken window
Compound Adjectives
When two or more words work together as a single adjective:
- A well-known author
- A state-of-the-art facility
- A four-year-old child
Agreement in Special Contexts
Mathematical Expressions
- Two plus two equals four.
- Fifty percent of the students were present.
- A number of students have arrived.
- The number of students is twenty.
Time Periods and Amounts
- Ten years is a long time.
- Five thousand dollars was stolen.
- Two hours seems like a long wait.
Subjects Connected by Correlative Conjunctions
- Not only…but also
- Either…or
- Neither…nor
- Both…and
Common Agreement Errors and Solutions
Proximity Agreement Errors
Avoid being misled by words between the subject and verb:
- The quality of the apples was excellent.
- The pattern of the curtains makes me dizzy.
Subject Complement Agreement
After linking verbs, subject complements must agree with the subject:
- His greatest joy is books.
- Books are his greatest joy.
Modern Usage and Evolution
Digital Age Considerations
Modern communication has influenced agreement rules:
- Social media is changing language.
- Data can be treated as singular or plural.
- URLs and hashtags are typically singular.
International English Variations
British and American English sometimes differ in agreement:
- British: The government are planning reforms.
- American: The government is planning reforms.
Academic and Professional Writing
Formal Writing Considerations
- Maintain consistent agreement throughout documents
- Use singular they for gender-neutral references
- Follow style guide specifications for technical terms
Scientific Writing
- Research shows (singular) vs. Studies indicate (plural)
- Statistical data requires careful agreement consideration
- Technical terminology often has specific agreement rules
Agreement in Different Genres
Creative Writing
- Dialogue may break traditional agreement rules
- Dialectal variations can affect agreement
- Stylistic choices may override standard rules
Business Writing
- Company names typically take singular verbs
- Brand names follow specific agreement rules
- Legal documents require precise agreement
Future Trends and Evolution
Emerging Patterns
- Gender-neutral language affecting agreement
- Digital communication influencing formal rules
- Global English developing new standards
Style Guide Updates
- Major style guides adapting to modern usage
- Increasing acceptance of singular they
- Simplified rules for international communication
This concludes the complete article on subject, verb, and adjective agreement. The content covers fundamental principles, advanced concepts, special cases, and modern considerations, providing a comprehensive understanding of English grammar agreement rules.