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Jan 7

Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement in Complex Sentences

At BhashaLab, we believe that mastering subject-verb agreement is a key foundation for effective communication in English. While simple sentences are easy to handle, complex sentences can pose challenges, even for advanced learners. Let’s break it down and make this concept simple and approachable!


What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. For instance:


  • Singular subject: The cat jumps over the fence.

  • Plural subject: The cats jump over the fence.


When sentences become complex, identifying the subject and ensuring agreement can become tricky. Let’s explore how to tackle this.


Subject-Verb Agreement in Complex Sentences

Complex sentences often include multiple clauses or phrases that can obscure the relationship between the subject and the verb. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:


  1. Ignore Interrupting Phrases

    • Words or phrases that come between the subject and the verb should be ignored when determining agreement.

    • Example: The bouquet of roses is beautiful.("of roses" is a prepositional phrase and doesn’t affect the verb.)


  2. Agreement with Compound Subjects

    • When two subjects are joined by "and," use a plural verb. If the subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closer to it.

    • Examples:

      • My brother and sister are coming to the party.

      • Either my brother or my parents are attending.

      • Neither the teacher nor the student is present.

  3. Relative Pronouns and Clauses

    • When the subject is a relative pronoun (e.g., who, that, which), the verb agrees with the antecedent (comes before) of the pronoun.

    • Example: She is one of the students who have completed the project.("students" is plural, so the verb is "have".)

  4. Indefinite Pronouns

    • Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone, nobody) are always singular, while others (e.g., many, few) are plural.

    • Examples:

      • Everyone is invited to the meeting.

      • Many were waiting for the bus.

  5. Subjects Separated from Verbs

    • In long or inverted sentences, the subject and verb may not appear next to each other. Always identify the correct subject.

    • Example: At the end of the street is a beautiful garden.("garden" is the subject.)

Common Challenges and Solutions

  1. Collective Nouns

    • Collective nouns (e.g., team, family) can take either singular or plural verbs, depending on whether the group is seen as a single unit or individuals.

    • Examples:

      • The team is winning the game. (acting as a single unit)

      • The team are arguing among themselves. (acting as individuals)

  2. Quantities and Measurements

    • Quantities and amounts usually take a singular verb when considered as a whole but plural verbs when referring to individual items.

    • Examples:

      • Five kilometers is a long distance.

      • Ten dollars were scattered on the table.

  3. Titles and Names

    • Titles of books, movies, or other works take singular verbs, even if they appear plural.

    • Example: "The Chronicles of Narnia" is a popular book series.

Tips for Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement in Complex Sentences

  • Identify the Subject First: Strip away extra phrases to find the core subject.

  • Practice with Varied Sentences: Work with examples that include clauses, prepositional phrases, and compound subjects.

  • Learn Exceptions: Familiarize yourself with tricky cases like collective nouns and indefinite pronouns.

  • Proofread Carefully: When writing, double-check for agreement errors, especially in longer sentences.

Quick Practice: Test Yourself!

  1. The captain, along with the crew, (is/are) ready to set sail.

  2. Neither the teacher nor the students (has/have) submitted the report.

  3. A bouquet of flowers (was/were) delivered to her office.

  4. The number of participants (is/are) increasing rapidly.

  5. Each of the players (has/have) a specific role on the team.

Answers:

  1. is

  2. have

  3. was

  4. is

  5. has

Conclusion

Subject-verb agreement in complex sentences can seem daunting, but with practice and awareness of the rules, it becomes second nature. At BhashaLab, we are committed to simplifying grammar concepts and helping learners build strong communication skills. Remember, grammar is not just about rules — it’s the key to expressing your thoughts clearly and confidently.

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