What's the main rule of subject-verb agreement? I need a simple explanation for this because I have an English final exam tomorrow.
Thanks.
Singular subjects must have singular verbs.
Plural subjects must have plural verbs.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sv_agr.htm
The main rule of subject-verb agreement is that the verb must agree in number with its subject. In other words, a singular subject should take a singular verb, and a plural subject should take a plural verb. This may seem straightforward, but there are a few specific cases to consider.
To ensure subject-verb agreement, follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify the subject of the sentence. The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is being described in the sentence.
Step 2: Determine if the subject is singular or plural. Singular subjects refer to one person, thing, or idea, while plural subjects refer to more than one.
Step 3: Choose the appropriate verb form based on the subject's number. For singular subjects, use a singular verb form (e.g., "he walks"). For plural subjects, use a plural verb form (e.g., "they walk").
It's important to note that there are a few exceptions and special cases to consider, such as collective nouns (e.g., team, family) and indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, nobody). These may sometimes take singular or plural verbs depending on the context.
Remember to practice identifying the subject and choosing the correct verb form in various sentences. This will help you develop a better understanding of subject-verb agreement and improve your performance on your English final exam. Good luck!