Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammatical rule that ensures the clarity and coherence of any written content. This rule requires that the subject and the verb in a sentence must agree in number and person, meaning that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. Here are some simple rules to follow when it comes to subject-verb agreement.

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs.

A singular subject, such as “the dog,” “the book,” or “the teacher,” requires a singular verb form. For example:

The dog barks at night.

The book is on the table.

The teacher teaches chemistry.

2. Plural subjects take plural verbs.

A plural subject, such as “the dogs,” “the books,” or “the teachers,” requires a plural verb form. For example:

The dogs bark at night.

The books are on the table.

The teachers teach chemistry.

3. Subjects joined by “and” take plural verbs.

When two or more singular subjects are joined by “and” to form a compound subject, the verb must be in the plural form. For example:

Tom and Jerry are best friends.

The pencil and the pen are on the desk.

4. Singular subjects joined by “or” or “nor” take singular verbs.

When two singular subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb. If the closest subject is singular, the verb should be in the singular form. For example,

Neither the dog nor the cat is in the house.

Either the book or the pen belongs to me.

5. Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs.

A collective noun refers to a group of people or things, such as “team,” “family,” “audience,” or “government.” These nouns can take either a singular or a plural verb, depending on the context. For example,

The audience is thrilled with the performance. (singular verb)

The family are arguing over dinner. (plural verb)

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of writing, and following these simple rules will help you to write clear and grammatically correct sentences. Remember that a subject and a verb must agree in number and person, and be consistent throughout your writing. By paying attention to subject-verb agreement, you can make your writing easy to understand and effective in conveying your message.