Using Correct Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement

Using Correct Grammar
• Using correct grammar refers to following the accepted rules and conventions of a
language when speaking or writing. These rules govern the proper use of words,
phrases, and sentence structure to convey clear and effective communication.
• Adhering to correct grammar can help ensure that a message is understood correctly
and can make the speaker or writer appear more professional and credible.
• It involves proper use of punctuation, capitalization, verb tenses, subject-verb

agreement, and other grammatical elements.
Subject-Verb Agreement
 Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that states that the subject of a sentence
must agree with the verb in terms of number (i.e., singular or plural).
 In simpler terms, this means that if the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb should
also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural.
• For example:
• Correct: The cat chases the mouse. (singular subject "cat" agrees with singular
verb "chases")
• Correct: The cats chase the mice. (plural subject "cats" agrees with plural verb
"chase")
 If the subject and verb do not agree in number, it can result in an incorrect sentence and
cause confusion.
• For example:
• Incorrect: The cat chase the mouse. (incorrect agreement between singular
subject "cat" and plural verb "chase")
• Incorrect: The cats chases the mouse. (incorrect agreement between plural
subject "cats" and singular verb "chases")
Usage and examples of subject verb agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental concept in English grammar. Below are some
examples of subject-verb agreement:
Singular subject with singular verb:

 The dog barks at the mailman.
 My brother is a doctor.
 The car needs to be serviced.
Plural subject with plural verb:
 The dogs bark at the mailman.
 My brothers are doctors.
 The cars need to be serviced.
Indefinite pronouns with singular verbs:
 Someone is knocking at the door.
 Each of the students has a laptop.
 Nobody knows the answer.
Collective nouns with singular verbs:
 The team is practicing for the game.
 The committee has made a decision.
 The audience is enjoying the concert.
Compound subjects with plural verbs:
 Jack and Jill went up the hill.
 Bread and butter are my favorite breakfast items.
 Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are easy to make.
It's important to note that subject-verb agreement can become more complex in certain
situations, such as with irregular verbs, inverted sentence structures, or clauses. However,
following the basic rule of matching the subject and verb in number is essential in achieving
clear and accurate communication.
Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence and cohesion are related concepts in writing, but they refer to different aspects of
the text. Coherence refers to the quality of a piece of writing that makes it easy to understand
and follow, while cohesion refers to the quality of a piece of writing that makes it well-
organized and easy to follow.
Coherence in writing involves the clarity and logic of the ideas presented. It is achieved through
the use of clear and concise sentences, well-structured paragraphs, and the use of transitional
words and phrases that connect ideas and help the reader follow the writer's train of thought.
Coherence ensures that the text makes sense as a whole and that the ideas are presented in a
logical and organized manner.
Cohesion, on the other hand, refers to the way in which ideas are connected within the text. It
is achieved through the use of various grammatical devices and techniques that help to link
ideas and create a unified text. Cohesion ensures that the text flows smoothly from one
sentence to the next and that the reader can follow the writer's train of thought easily.
Coherence in using correct grammar

Coherence is the quality of a piece of writing that makes it easy to understand and follow. Using
correct grammar is an essential part of coherence because it ensures that sentences are clear
and make sense. When the grammar is incorrect, the reader may become confused or have
difficulty understanding the writer's intended meaning.
Here are some ways in which using correct grammar can enhance coherence in writing:
 Improves readability:
When grammar is used correctly, sentences are clear and easy to understand,
making the text more readable.
 Avoids ambiguity:
Correct grammar helps to avoid ambiguity in sentences, preventing
misunderstandings or confusion.
 Enhances logical flow:
Proper use of grammar allows for the logical flow of ideas and helps to connect
sentences together in a way that is easy to follow.
 Conveys professionalism:
Using correct grammar in writing shows that the writer takes their work seriously
and has taken the time to ensure that their writing is clear and accurate.
Cohesion in using correct grammar

Cohesion is the quality of a piece of writing that makes it well-organized and easy to follow.
Using correct grammar is an essential part of cohesion because it helps to connect ideas and
ensure that the writing flows smoothly. When the grammar is incorrect, it can disrupt the flow
of the writing and make it more difficult for the reader to understand.
Here are some ways in which using correct grammar can enhance cohesion in writing:
 Provides clear sentence structure:

Proper grammar ensures that sentences are structured clearly and logically,
allowing for easy understanding of the writer's intended meaning.
 Creates logical relationships between ideas:
Correct grammar helps to create logical relationships between ideas by
connecting sentences with transitional phrases or clauses.
 Avoids repetition:
Using correct grammar can help to avoid repetition by allowing the writer to use
a variety of sentence structures and connectors to convey their message.
 Enhances the coherence of the text:
Correct grammar is an important aspect of coherence because it helps to ensure
that the writing flows smoothly and that ideas are connected in a clear and logical
manner.

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Using Correct Grammar

• It involves proper use of punctuation, capitalization, verb tenses, subject-verb

Usage and examples of subject verb agreement

Singular subject with singular verb:

Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence in using correct grammar

Cohesion in using correct grammar

 Provides clear sentence structure:

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