Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that is often overlooked. It involves ensuring that the subject and verb in a sentence are in the same state of being, whether singular or plural.

When it comes to using the correct subject-verb agreement, the most common mistake made by writers is with singular and plural nouns.

Singular nouns refer to a single person, place, thing, or idea. Examples include “book,” “cat,” “desk,” and “idea.” These nouns require singular verbs, which means that the verb must end in “s” when used in the third person singular form. For instance, “He reads books,” “The cat jumps over the fence,” “The desk belongs to me,” and “The idea seems great.”

On the other hand, plural nouns refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. Examples include “books,” “cats,” “desks,” and “ideas.” Plural nouns require plural verbs, which means that the verb must not end in “s” when used in the third person plural form. For instance, “They read books,” “The cats jump over the fence,” “The desks belong to us,” and “The ideas seem great.”

It`s crucial to remember that there are exceptions to the rule. Some nouns might seem plural, but they are singular and require singular verbs. Examples of such nouns include “news,” “mathematics,” “ethics,” and “politics.” Therefore, “The news is bad today,” “Mathematics is a tough subject to teach,” “Ethics is an essential part of business,” and “Politics is always a sensitive topic to discuss.”

Another common mistake is when the subject of a sentence is a collective noun. Collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, or things that work together as a single unit. Examples of such nouns include “team,” “group,” “family,” and “company.” Collective nouns can be singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence. When referring to the group as a single unit, the noun is singular and requires a singular verb. For instance, “The team is happy,” “The group goes on a trip every year,” “The family enjoys spending time together,” and “The company is expanding its operations.”

However, when the collective noun refers to the individuals within the group, the noun is plural, and the verb must be plural as well. For instance, “The team are all excellent players,” “The group have different interests,” “The family are planning to visit their grandparents,” and “The company are hiring new employees.”

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that should be taken seriously. Always ensure that your subject and verb match in number, whether singular or plural, to convey your message clearly and effectively.