Pronoun-verb agreement is a tricky grammar rule that even experienced writers can struggle with. However, mastering this rule is essential if you want your writing to be clear, concise, and easy to read. In this article, we`ll dive into some advanced pronoun-verb agreement rules to help take your writing to the next level.
On Day 3 of our pronoun-verb agreement series, we`ll be focusing on more complex sentences and how to ensure your verbs match up with your pronouns correctly. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Pay Attention to Compound Subjects
When you have a sentence with a compound subject (i.e., two or more subjects joined by “and”), the verb must agree with the plural subject. For example, “John and Jane are going to the movies” is correct, while “John and Jane is going to the movies” is not.
2. Watch Out for Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone,” “anyone,” and “someone,” always take a singular verb. For example, “Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting” is correct, while “Everyone are welcome to attend the meeting” is not.
3. Consider Collective Nouns
Collective nouns, such as “team,” “family,” and “jury,” can be tricky when it comes to pronoun-verb agreement. Generally, if the collective noun is acting as a single entity, you should use a singular verb. For example, “The team is practicing for the game” is correct, while “The team are practicing for the game” is not. However, if the collective noun is acting as individuals, you should use a plural verb. For example, “The jury are divided in their opinions” is correct, while “The jury is divided in their opinions” is not.
4. Be Careful with Interrupting Phrases
When you have a sentence with an interrupting phrase (i.e., a phrase that interrupts the flow of the sentence), make sure that the verb agrees with the subject of the main clause. For example, “The cat, along with the dogs, is sleeping” is correct, while “The cat, along with the dogs, are sleeping” is not.
5. Double-Check Contractions
When using contractions, such as “you`re” or “they`re,” make sure that the apostrophe is replacing the correct verb. For example, “You`re going to the store” is correct, while “Your going to the store” is not.
By following these advanced pronoun-verb agreement rules, you can take your writing to the next level and ensure that your readers are understanding exactly what you`re trying to say. Keep practicing, and soon you`ll be a master at this essential grammar rule!