What are the nuances of subject-verb agreement in English?.

Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the verb must match the subject in number (singular or plural) and person. This rule is fundamental for clarity and coherence in writing.

Key Facts

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs (e.g., "The cat runs").
2. Plural subjects take plural verbs (e.g., "The cats run").
3. Collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on context (e.g., "The team wins" vs. "The team are arguing").
4. Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, each) typically take singular verbs.
5. When using compound subjects joined by 'and', the verb is usually plural.

Examples or Use Cases

• Correct: "Neither of the players has the ball."
• Incorrect: "Neither of the players have the ball."
• Correct: "Each of the books is on the shelf."
• Incorrect: "Each of the books are on the shelf."

Common Mistakes / FAQs

• Q: What happens with subjects joined by 'or'?
  • A: The verb agrees with the nearest subject (e.g., "Either the manager or the employees are responsible").
• Q: Are titles of works considered singular?
  • A: Yes, titles are treated as singular, e.g., "The Great Gatsby is a classic."