Subject-verb-pronoun agreement is an essential aspect of English grammar. This agreement implies that the subject and verb in a sentence should agree with one another regarding the number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third) they represent.
However, subject-verb-pronoun agreement errors can sneak into our writing when we are not vigilant. These errors can negatively impact the clarity and effectiveness of our communication. In this article, we will identify common errors in subject-verb-pronoun agreement and fix them.
Error 1: The subject and verb do not agree in number.
Example: The group of athletes plays well.
Correction: The group of athletes play well.
Explanation: In this sentence, the subject (group) is singular, while the verb (play) is plural. To fix this error, we need to change the verb to its singular form (plays).
Error 2: The pronoun and antecedent do not agree in number or gender.
Example: Each of the girls brought their backpacks.
Correction: Each of the girls brought her backpack.
Explanation: In this sentence, we have a pronoun (their) that is plural, while the antecedent (each girl) is singular. To fix this error, we need to change the pronoun to its singular form (her).
Error 3: The subject and verb do not agree in person.
Example: You was late for the meeting.
Correction: You were late for the meeting.
Explanation: In this sentence, the subject (you) is in the second person, while the verb (was) is in the third person. To fix this error, we need to change the verb to the second-person form (were).
Error 4: The subject and verb agree in the wrong tense.
Example: The company is planning to expand their business in Asia.
Correction: The company is planning to expand its business in Asia.
Explanation: In this sentence, the verb (expand) is in the present tense, while the noun (company) is singular. To fix this error, we need to change the pronoun `their` to `its.
Conclusion
Subject-verb-pronoun agreement is an important aspect of language structure, and it is crucial to ensure that sentences are clear and effective in communication. By paying careful attention to our writing and making corrections where necessary, we can express ourselves more effectively and avoid common errors in subject-verb-pronoun agreement.