How do you ensure subject-verb agreement in a sentence?

To ensure subject-verb agreement in a sentence, it is important to follow these guidelines:

1. Identify the subject: Determine the subject of the sentence, which is the noun or pronoun that the verb is referring to.

2. Understand singular and plural subjects: Recognize whether the subject is singular (referring to one person or thing) or plural (referring to more than one person or thing).

3. Match the verb with the subject: Use a singular verb with a singular subject and a plural verb with a plural subject. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well.

4. Be aware of exceptions: Some words may appear plural but are actually singular, such as "news," "mathematics," or "physics." In these cases, a singular verb should be used.

5. Pay attention to indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns, such as "everyone," "someone," or "each," are always singular and require a singular verb.

6. Consider compound subjects: When a sentence has two or more subjects joined by "and," the verb should be plural. However, if the subjects are joined by "or," "nor," "either...or," or "neither...nor," the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.

7. Ignore phrases between the subject and verb: When there are phrases or clauses between the subject and verb, make sure to identify the true subject and ensure agreement with it.

By following these guidelines, one can ensure subject-verb agreement in a sentence and maintain grammatical accuracy.