What are the common errors in subject-verb agreement?

Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of sentence construction, as it ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence are in harmony in terms of number and person. However, there are several common errors that often occur in subject-verb agreement. These errors include:

1. Singular subject with a plural verb: This error occurs when a singular subject is incorrectly paired with a plural verb. For example, "The dog chase the cat" instead of "The dog chases the cat."

2. Plural subject with a singular verb: This error happens when a plural subject is incorrectly matched with a singular verb. For instance, "The cats chases the mouse" instead of "The cats chase the mouse."

3. Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns, such as "everyone," "someone," or "nobody," are singular and should be paired with singular verbs. For example, "Everyone were happy" instead of "Everyone was happy."

4. Collective nouns: Collective nouns, such as "team," "family," or "committee," can be singular or plural depending on the context. When referring to the group as a whole, a singular verb should be used. For instance, "The team is playing well" instead of "The team are playing well."

5. Intervening phrases: Sometimes, phrases or clauses can intervene between the subject and verb, leading to errors in agreement. It is important to ensure that the verb agrees with the subject, regardless of any intervening elements. For example, "The book, along with the pen, were on the table" instead of "The book, along with the pen, was on the table."

6. Compound subjects: When two or more subjects are joined by "and," they form a plural subject and require a plural verb. For instance, "John and Sarah is going to the party" instead of "John and Sarah are going to the party."

7. Inverted word order: In sentences with inverted word order, where the subject comes after the verb, it is essential to maintain subject-verb agreement. For example, "There is many books on the shelf" instead of "There are many books on the shelf."

To avoid these common errors in subject-verb agreement, it is crucial to carefully identify the subject and ensure that the verb agrees with it in terms of number and person. Regular practice and familiarity with grammatical rules can greatly assist in mastering subject-verb agreement and constructing error-free sentences.