Writing agreement sentences is an essential part of creating clear and effective written communication. Agreement sentences are those that use subject-verb agreement, where the verb agrees with the subject in number and person. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be as well. Here are some tips on how to write effective agreement sentences.
1. Identify the subject and verb
The first step in writing agreement sentences is to identify the subject and verb. The subject is the noun or pronoun that the sentence is about, and the verb is the action word that describes what the subject is doing. Once you have identified both, ensure that the verb matches the subject in number and person.
2. Be aware of irregular verbs
Some verbs in the English language do not follow regular patterns of agreement. For example, the verb “to be” changes depending on the subject and tense. “I am,” “he is,” “we are,” and “they are” are all correct forms of the verb “to be.” Other irregular verbs include “have,” “do,” and “go.”
3. Watch for collective nouns
Collective nouns refer to groups of people or things, such as “team,” “family,” or “audience.” These nouns can be tricky, as they can be singular or plural depending on the context. For example, “the team is practicing” uses a singular verb, while “the team are arguing” uses a plural verb.
4. Don`t be misled by phrases
Phrases that come between the subject and verb can be misleading. For example, “along with,” “as well as,” and “together with” do not change the subject, even though they introduce additional information. So, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, regardless of any phrases in between.
5. Pay attention to indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone,” “someone,” and “nobody,” are singular, so the verb that follows should also be singular. On the other hand, “they” and “their” can be used as gender-neutral pronouns, but care should be taken to ensure agreement with the subject.
By following these tips, you can create clear, effective agreement sentences. Proper subject-verb agreement not only makes your writing more grammatically correct, but also helps to convey your message more clearly.