Understanding Agreement in Grammar

Introduction to Agreement in Grammar

Agreement in grammar refers to the concept of ensuring that different parts of a sentence match each other. This matching can occur in terms of number, gender, person, and sometimes even tense. When all elements in a sentence agree, it helps to make the sentence clear and grammatically correct.

For example, in the sentence “She walks to school,” the subject “she” agrees with the verb “walks” in terms of the singular form.

Subject-Verb Agreement

One common type of agreement in grammar is subject-verb agreement. This means that the subject of a sentence must agree with the verb in terms of number. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well.

For instance, in the sentence “The students study for their exams,” the plural subject “students” agrees with the plural verb “study.”

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Another important aspect of agreement in grammar is pronoun-antecedent agreement. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in terms of number and gender. This ensures clarity and coherence in writing.

For example, in the sentence “Black Panther is a superhero. He protects the city,” the singular masculine pronoun “he” agrees with the singular masculine antecedent “Black Panther.”

Agreement in Adjective-Noun Relationship

When using adjectives to describe nouns, it is crucial to maintain agreement between the two. Adjectives must match the nouns they modify in terms of number and gender.

In the phrase “beautiful flowers,” the adjective “beautiful” agrees with the plural noun “flowers.”

Agreement in Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone,” “someone,” and “anybody,” require special attention to agreement. These pronouns are typically singular and must take singular verbs and pronouns.

For instance, in the sentence “Everyone is responsible for their own actions,” the singular indefinite pronoun “everyone” agrees with the singular pronoun “their.”

Understanding and applying agreement in grammar is essential for constructing coherent and accurate sentences. By ensuring that all elements within a sentence agree with each other, students can enhance the clarity and effectiveness of their writing.

Let’s review subject-verb agreement, since many people have difficulties understanding it.

Subject-verb agreement is important in writing for several reasons:

1. Clarity: When the subject and verb in a sentence agree, it helps to make the sentence clear and easy to understand. Readers can quickly identify the relationship between the subject and the action being performed.
2. Grammar: Maintaining subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of grammar. It ensures that sentences are structured correctly and adhere to standard linguistic rules.
3. Coherence: Agreement between the subject and verb contributes to the overall coherence of a sentence and the entire piece of writing. It helps to maintain a consistent flow of ideas.
4. Professionalism: Proper subject-verb agreement is a sign of good writing skills. It demonstrates attention to detail and a thorough understanding of language mechanics.
5. Avoiding Confusion: Incorrect subject-verb agreement can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Readers may struggle to understand the intended meaning if the elements within a sentence do not agree.

By emphasizing subject-verb agreement in writing, students can enhance the quality of their compositions, communicate more effectively, and showcase their proficiency in language use.

Here are some examples of sentences that demonstrate subject-verb agreement:

1. She is a talented singer.
2. The dog barks loudly at night.
3. They play basketball every weekend.
4. The sun shines brightly in the sky.
5. He eats dinner with his family every evening.

These sentences showcase how the subject and verb agree in terms of number (singular or plural) to ensure grammatical correctness.

Here’s an example to illustrate how subject-verb agreement contributes to clarity in writing:

Incorrect: The dog barks loudly, but the cats sleeps quietly.

In this sentence, there is a subject-verb agreement error. The subject “cats” is plural, but the verb “sleeps” is singular. This mismatch can confuse the reader and disrupt the flow of the sentence.

Corrected: The dog barks loudly, but the cats sleep quietly.

In the corrected version, the subject “cats” now agrees with the verb “sleep,” both in plural form. This agreement enhances the clarity of the sentence, making it easier for the reader to understand the actions of the dog and the cats.

Here are a few more examples of sentences with subject-verb agreement errors for further practice:

1. Incorrect: She always wear a red dress on Fridays.
   Corrected: She always wears a red dress on Fridays.
2. Incorrect: The students in the class is working on their projects.
   Corrected: The students in the class are working on their projects.
3. Incorrect: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
   Corrected: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
4. Incorrect: My brother and sister loves to play soccer together.
   Corrected: My brother and sister love to play soccer together.
5. Incorrect: The delicious smell of fresh bread fills the kitchen.
   Corrected: The delicious smell of fresh bread fills the kitchen.

By identifying and correcting these subject-verb agreement errors, students can practice applying the rules of agreement in grammar and improve their writing skills.