Subject-verb agreement is a crucial component of grammar that every writer needs to master to ensure effective communication. Whether you’re writing a blog post, a book, or a research paper, proper subject-verb agreement is essential to maintain the coherence and clarity of your writing. In this article, we will take a closer look at subject-verb agreement rules and provide examples from the popular platform, SlideShare.
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Before we dive into the examples from SlideShare, it’s important to understand some basic rules of subject-verb agreement:
1. A singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject needs a plural verb.
For example: The dog barks loudly. (singular subject and verb), The dogs bark loudly. (plural subject and verb)
2. When a subject consists of singular and plural nouns joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor,’ the verb should agree with the part that is closer to it.
For example: My mother or my sisters are going to wash the dishes. (plural subject and verb)
3. If the subject is a collective noun, it can be treated as singular or plural depending on the context.
For example: The team is playing well. (singular subject and verb), The team are arguing among themselves. (plural subject and verb)
Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement on SlideShare
Here are some examples of subject-verb agreement taken from SlideShare:
1. “The Power of Storytelling” by Disha Sagar
Correct: Stories have the ability to captivate an audience.
Incorrect: Stories has the ability to captivate an audience.
2. “Writing Excellent Paragraphs” by Sarah E. Klein
Correct: The main idea of a paragraph should be clearly stated in the opening sentence.
Incorrect: The main idea of a paragraph should be clearly stated in the opening sentences.
3. “How to Make an Infographic” by Venngage
Correct: Infographics are an effective way to visually represent complex data.
Incorrect: Infographics is an effective way to visually represent complex data.
By following these simple rules of subject-verb agreement, you can make sure that your writing is grammatically correct and conveys your message effectively. In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a critical aspect of grammar that every writer should master, and SlideShare provides excellent examples to help you understand the concept better.