Grammar Agreement Questions Long
Common errors in agreement in voice include subject-verb agreement errors, pronoun-antecedent agreement errors, and noun-pronoun agreement errors. These errors occur when there is a mismatch between the subject and the verb or pronoun in terms of number, person, or gender. Here are some examples of these errors and how they can be corrected:
1. Subject-verb agreement errors:
- Error: The group of students were studying for their exams.
Correction: The group of students was studying for their exams.
- Error: Each of the boys have their own bicycle.
Correction: Each of the boys has his own bicycle.
To correct subject-verb agreement errors, ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in terms of number and person. Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs.
2. Pronoun-antecedent agreement errors:
- Error: Each student should bring their own textbook.
Correction: Each student should bring his or her own textbook.
- Error: The team celebrated their victory.
Correction: The team celebrated its victory.
To correct pronoun-antecedent agreement errors, ensure that the pronoun agrees with its antecedent in terms of number and gender. Use singular pronouns for singular antecedents and plural pronouns for plural antecedents. If the gender is unknown or mixed, use gender-neutral pronouns such as "his or her" or "they."
3. Noun-pronoun agreement errors:
- Error: John and me went to the store.
Correction: John and I went to the store.
- Error: The teacher gave each student their grades.
Correction: The teacher gave each student his or her grades.
To correct noun-pronoun agreement errors, ensure that the pronoun agrees with the noun in terms of number and person. Use subjective pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) as subjects and objective pronouns (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) as objects.
In summary, to correct common errors in agreement in voice, it is important to pay attention to subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, and noun-pronoun agreement. By ensuring that the verb or pronoun agrees with its subject or antecedent in terms of number, person, and gender, these errors can be corrected.