When it comes to writing, proper grammar is essential to effectively communicate your message to readers. One aspect of grammar that is often overlooked is subject-verb agreement. The rules for subject-verb agreement are important to understand and follow because they ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and easy to read.
Wren and Martin is a popular grammar book that many students and writers rely on to improve their writing skills. In this article, we will explore the agreement of the verb with the subject in Wren and Martin and how it can help you improve your writing.
The Basics of Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. The verb should agree in number (singular or plural) with the subject of the sentence. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
Singular subjects take singular verbs, such as “he walks” or “she talks”. Plural subjects take plural verbs, such as “they walk” or “we talk”. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as collective nouns, which are singular in form but refer to multiple individuals, such as “team” or “family”. In this case, the verb must be plural, such as “the team are practicing” or “my family are coming over”.
Wren and Martin on Agreement of the Verb with the Subject
Wren and Martin’s grammar book covers subject-verb agreement in-depth and provides a comprehensive guide to help writers understand and apply the rules of agreement. According to the book, “the verb must agree with the subject in number and person”. This means that the verb must match the number (singular or plural) and the person (first, second, or third) of the subject in the sentence.
The book emphasizes that writers should pay close attention to the subject of the sentence to ensure that the verb agrees in number and person. For example, if the subject is “she” (third person singular), the verb must also be singular, such as “she sings”. However, if the subject is “they” (third person plural), the verb must be plural, such as “they sing”.
The book also provides helpful tips and explanations for writers to better understand subject-verb agreement. For instance, it explains that when the subject is separated from the verb by words or phrases, it can be challenging to determine the correct verb form. In such cases, it is important to identify the subject and make sure the verb agrees with it in number and person.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of grammar that writers should master to improve their writing. By understanding the basic rules of agreement and applying them in your writing, you can communicate your message effectively and clearly to your readers.
Wren and Martin’s grammar book provides a helpful guide to subject-verb agreement, offering tips, explanations, and examples to help writers better understand and apply the rules of agreement. By following the guidelines set forth by Wren and Martin, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and easy to read.