Fill in Each Blank with a Verb in Agreement with Its Subject: A Guide for Effective Writing

One of the fundamental rules of grammar is subject-verb agreement. This rule mandates that the verb in a sentence should agree with its subject in terms of number (singular or plural). However, many writers often neglect this rule, leading to awkward and confusing sentences. To avoid such errors, it is essential to fill in each blank with a verb in agreement with its subject. In this article, we will explore some guidelines on how to achieve this.

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

Before we dive into the guidelines, it is crucial to understand the basics of subject-verb agreement. In a sentence, the subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is the focus of the sentence. The verb, on the other hand, is the action word that expresses what the subject is doing or what is happening to the subject. For instance, in the sentence “John writes a letter,” “John” is the subject, and “writes” is the verb.

To ensure proper subject-verb agreement, the verb must agree with the subject in number. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. For example, “John writes a letter” (singular) is correct, but “John write a letter” (plural) is incorrect.

Guidelines for Filling in Each Blank with a Verb in Agreement with Its Subject

1. Identify the subject of the sentence. It is essential to determine the noun or pronoun that is doing the action or is the focus of the sentence.

2. Determine the number of the subject. Is it singular or plural? This will determine the number of the verb.

3. Ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in number. If the subject is singular, the verb should be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural.

4. Watch out for tricky subjects such as collective nouns and indefinite pronouns. Collective nouns such as “team,” “group,” and “committee” can be singular or plural depending on the context. For instance, “The committee agrees” (singular) is correct, but “The committee agree” (plural) is incorrect. Indefinite pronouns such as “anyone,” “someone,” “everyone,” and “nobody” are singular and require singular verbs.

5. Be mindful of the sentence structure. If the subject is separated from the verb by a phrase or clause, it is easy to lose track of the subject`s number. In such cases, it is essential to go back and double-check the subject`s number before filling in the verb.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of effective writing. Filling in each blank with a verb in agreement with its subject is essential for clarity and coherence in writing. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, writers can avoid common errors and produce well-written and grammatically correct sentences.