The use of every in subject verb agreement can be a tricky area for many writers. It is important to understand the rules of subject verb agreement to ensure your writing is grammatically correct and clear to your readers. In this article, we will explore the proper use of every in subject verb agreement and provide tips to help you avoid common mistakes.
First, let`s define what subject verb agreement is. Subject verb agreement requires that the subject of a sentence and the verb agree in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should be in singular form, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be in plural form. For example, “The cat is sleeping” is correct because the subject “cat” is singular, while “The cats are sleeping” is correct because the subject “cats” is plural.
When it comes to the use of every, it is important to pay attention to the noun that follows it. If the noun is singular, then the verb should also be in singular form. For example, “Every student needs to bring their own books” is incorrect because “student” is singular, but “their” is plural. Instead, you could write “Every student needs to bring his or her own book” or “Every student needs to bring their book.”
If the noun following every is plural, then the verb should be in plural form. For example, “Every day, the girls run to school” is correct because “girls” is plural and the verb “run” agrees with it. However, be careful not to use a plural noun after every that doesn`t make sense in the context of the sentence. For instance, “Every apple are ripe” is incorrect because “apple” is singular, and the correct sentence would be “Every apple is ripe.”
In some cases, every can also be used as a pronoun, replacing a noun. In these cases, the verb should agree with the antecedent that every replaces. For example, “Every student who wants to go on the field trip must turn in their permission slip” is incorrect because “their” is plural. Instead, you could write “Every student who wants to go on the field trip must turn in his or her permission slip” or “Every student who wants to go on the field trip must turn in a permission slip.”
In conclusion, the use of every in subject verb agreement requires careful attention to both the subject and the noun that follows every. Remember that if the noun is singular, the verb should be in singular form, and if the noun is plural, the verb should be in plural form. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and effectively communicates your message to your readers.
