Verbal Inflection Agreement

Verbal Inflection Agreement: A Guide to Proper Usage

When it comes to the English language, one of the most fundamental rules is ensuring proper agreement between the subject and verb. Verbal inflection agreement, or subject-verb agreement, is essential to clear communication and effective writing.

In simple terms, verbal inflection agreement refers to the agreement between the subject and verb in a sentence. The verb must match the subject in number and person: singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. For example, “the dog barks” uses a singular verb “barks” to match the singular subject “dog,” while “the dogs bark” uses a plural verb “bark” to match the plural subject “dogs.”

However, this rule can become more complicated in certain situations. Here are some cases to keep in mind when ensuring proper verbal inflection agreement:

1. Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns (such as everyone, somebody, anybody, etc.) can be confusing when it comes to subject-verb agreement. These pronouns can be singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence.

For example, “everyone is here” uses a singular verb “is” to match the singular indefinite pronoun “everyone,” while “somebody left their jacket” uses a plural verb “left” to match the plural indefinite pronoun “their.”

2. Compound Subjects

When two or more subjects are connected with “and,” they create a compound subject and require a plural verb. However, if the subjects are connected with “or” or “nor,” the verb must agree with the nearest subject.

For example, “Tom and Jerry are friends” uses a plural verb “are” to match the compound subject “Tom and Jerry,” while “neither Tom nor Jerry is here” uses a singular verb “is” to match the nearest subject “Jerry.”

3. Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (such as team, family, group, etc.) can be tricky when it comes to subject-verb agreement. These nouns can be singular or plural, depending on whether they are acting as a unit or as separate individuals.

For example, “the team is working hard” uses a singular verb “is” to match the collective noun “team” acting as a unit, while “the team are arguing with each other” uses a plural verb “are” to match the collective noun “team” acting as separate individuals.

4. Singular Nouns Ending with “s”

Some singular nouns ending with “s” can cause confusion when it comes to subject-verb agreement. These nouns can be either singular or plural, depending on whether they refer to one object or multiple objects.

For example, “the news is depressing” uses a singular verb “is” to match the singular noun “news” referring to one object, while “the scissors are sharp” uses a plural verb “are” to match the plural noun “scissors” referring to multiple objects.

In conclusion, proper verbal inflection agreement is essential in clear and effective communication. By keeping these rules in mind, you can ensure your writing is grammatically correct and easy to understand.