Subject Verb Agreement Errors in Paragraphs

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule of the English language that refers to the agreement between the subject of a sentence and the verb. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about, while the verb is the action or the state of being that the subject performs. When the subject and verb are in agreement, the sentence is grammatically correct and makes sense. However, subject-verb agreement errors in paragraphs can make the writing difficult to read and can even change the intended meaning of the sentence.

Here are some common subject-verb agreement errors in paragraphs and how to avoid them:

1. Incorrect Singular and Plural Agreement

One common mistake in subject-verb agreement is when the verb does not match the number of the subject. For example, when using a singular subject, the verb should be singular, and when using a plural subject, the verb should be plural. Incorrect agreement is a common error that can lead to confusion for the reader.

Example: The group of students were given their assignments.

Correction: The group of students was given their assignments.

Explanation: The subject „group“ is singular, so the verb „was“ should be used instead of „were.“

2. Inconsistent Verb Tenses

Another common error in subject-verb agreement is when the verb tense does not match the tense of the subject. This error commonly occurs when writing in the present or past tense. It is important to ensure that the tense of the verb matches the tense of the subject in order to maintain consistency throughout the paragraph.

Example: He walks into the room, taking a seat at the table, and begins to eat breakfast.

Correction: He walks into the room, takes a seat at the table, and begins to eat breakfast.

Explanation: The verb „takes“ is in the present tense and matches the tense of the subject „he.“

3. Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases can also cause errors in subject-verb agreement. A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object. When a prepositional phrase is between the subject and the verb, the verb should agree with the subject, not the object of the preposition.

Example: The book on the shelf are new.

Correction: The book on the shelf is new.

Explanation: The subject „book“ is singular, so the verb „is“ should be used instead of „are.“ The prepositional phrase „on the shelf“ does not affect the agreement.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement errors in paragraphs can have a significant impact on the readability and comprehension of the text. By ensuring that the subject and verb agree in number, tense, and location in the sentence, writers can create clear and concise paragraphs that are easily understood by readers. Remember to proofread your work for subject-verb agreement errors, and if in doubt, consult a grammar guide or ask a colleague for help.