Subject-verb agreement is a crucial component of writing in the English language. It ensures that a sentence is grammatically correct and conveys the intended message clearly. Sometimes, writers may use parentheses in their sentences to provide additional information or give examples. When using parentheses, it`s essential to ensure that the subject-verb agreement remains intact.
Here are some guidelines to follow when using parentheses in a sentence:
1. The verb should agree with the subject outside the parentheses.
Example: The cat (and his toys) is on the bed.
In this sentence, the subject is “the cat,” and the verb “is” agrees with it. The information inside the parentheses does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
2. If the subject is inside the parentheses, the verb should agree with it.
Example: (All of the cats) were on the bed.
In this sentence, the subject is “all of the cats” inside the parentheses. The verb “were” agrees with the subject inside the parentheses.
3. If the information inside the parentheses is not necessary, then the subject-verb agreement should remain the same.
Example: The cat (which is black) is on the bed.
In this sentence, the information inside the parentheses is not necessary to convey the main idea. Therefore, the subject-verb agreement remains the same as “the cat” is the subject, and “is” agrees with it.
4. If the subject inside the parentheses is different from the subject outside the parentheses, be careful with the verb agreement.
Example: The cat and his toys (which are expensive) are on the bed.
In this sentence, the subject outside the parentheses is “the cat and his toys.” However, the subject inside the parentheses is “toys,” which is singular. Therefore, the verb “are” should be changed to “is” to maintain subject-verb agreement.
In conclusion, using parentheses can add additional information to a sentence, but it`s crucial to ensure that the subject-verb agreement remains intact. By following the guidelines mentioned above, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and conveys the intended message clearly.
