Proper number agreement in English is crucial for clear and effective communication. It involves matching the number of subjects with the appropriate verb form, as well as ensuring agreement between pronouns and their antecedents. In this article, we will explore the basic principles of number agreement in English and provide examples to help you understand how it works.
Subject-Verb Agreement
When it comes to subject-verb agreement, the verb must agree with the number of the subject. In other words, singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. Here are some examples:
– The boy runs to school.
– The boys run to school.
In the first sentence, “boy” is a singular subject, so the verb “runs” is singular as well. In the second sentence, “boys” is a plural subject, so the verb “run” is plural.
It is important to note that some subjects may be tricky to identify as singular or plural, such as collective nouns. Collective nouns refer to groups of people or things, and can be either singular or plural depending on the context. For instance:
– The committee is meeting today. (singular)
– The committee are divided on the issue. (plural)
In the first sentence, “committee” is treated as a singular subject because it is functioning as a unit. In the second sentence, “committee” is plural because it is referring to individual members who may have different opinions.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Pronoun-antecedent agreement involves using the correct pronoun to match the number of its antecedent. An antecedent is the noun or pronoun to which a pronoun refers. For example:
– John saw a dog, and he petted it.
In this sentence, “John” is the antecedent for the pronouns “he” and “it”. Since “John” is singular, we use singular pronouns to refer to him: “he” instead of “they”, and “it” instead of “them”.
Just like with subject-verb agreement, collective nouns can create confusion when it comes to pronoun-antecedent agreement. Here`s an example:
– The team won its game yesterday.
In this sentence, “team” is a collective noun that refers to a group of players. Even though it contains multiple individuals, we use the singular pronoun “its” to refer to the team as a whole.
Conclusion
Number agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures clear and precise communication. By following the basic rules of matching subject-verb agreement and pronoun-antecedent agreement, you can avoid common errors that can detract from the clarity of your writing. Remember to pay attention to collective nouns and other potentially tricky subjects to ensure that your writing is accurate and effective.
