Subject and predicate agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that ensures clear and effective communication. The subject and predicate agreement refers to the agreement between the subject and verb in a sentence. It ensures that the verb agrees with the subject in terms of number and person. In this article, we will look at some examples of subject and predicate agreement.

Example 1:

Incorrect: The group of boys were playing football.

Correct: The group of boys was playing football.

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “The group of boys,” which is singular. The verb “were” is plural, which does not agree with the subject. Therefore, the correct verb to use is “was,” which is singular.

Example 2:

Incorrect: The flowers in the garden needs watering.

Correct: The flowers in the garden need watering.

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “The flowers in the garden,” which is plural. The verb “needs” is singular, which does not agree with the subject. Therefore, the correct verb to use is “need,” which is plural.

Example 3:

Incorrect: My sister or my brother is going to the party.

Correct: My sister or my brother are going to the party.

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “My sister or my brother,” which is singular. However, the verb “is” is singular, which does not agree with the subject. Therefore, the correct verb to use is “are,” which is plural.

Example 4:

Incorrect: The book that has been written by the famous author are on the shelf.

Correct: The book that has been written by the famous author is on the shelf.

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “The book,” which is singular. The relative pronoun “that” refers to a singular noun and therefore, it is also singular. However, the verb “are” is plural, which does not agree with the subject. Therefore, the correct verb to use is “is,” which is singular.

Example 5:

Incorrect: Neither the teacher nor the students were happy with the test results.

Correct: Neither the teacher nor the students was happy with the test results.

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “Neither the teacher nor the students,” which is singular because the verb “neither” makes it singular. The verb “were” is plural, which does not agree with the subject. Therefore, the correct verb to use is “was,” which is singular.

In conclusion, subject and predicate agreement is crucial for effective communication. The correct verb must agree with the subject in terms of number and person. The examples given above illustrate the importance of subject and predicate agreement and how it can impact the clarity of written communication. As a professional, it is essential to ensure that subject and predicate agreement is correct in any content to avoid confusion, misinterpretation, and to improve search engine ranking.