10 Rules of Subject and Verb Agreement | Legal Grammar Guide

10 Rules Subject Verb Agreement: Legal Q&A

Legal Question	Answer
1. What is the basic rule of subject-verb agreement?	The basic rule is that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. It`s like a beautiful dance between the subject and the verb, each complementing the other in perfect harmony.
2. Can collective nouns take singular or plural verbs?	Ah, the enigma of collective nouns! They can take singular verbs when the group is seen as a single entity, and plural verbs when the focus is on the individuals within the group. It`s like a legal puzzle that keeps us on our toes.
3. How do you handle indefinite pronouns in subject-verb agreement?	Indefinite pronouns, such as „everyone“ or „each,“ are singular, so they require singular verbs. It`s like game linguistic hide seek, uncover true nature sneaky pronouns.
4. What about phrases that come between the subject and verb?	Phrases that come between the subject and verb do not affect the agreement. The subject and verb are steadfast in their commitment to each other, regardless of any meddling phrases. It`s a testament to their unwavering bond.
5. Can singular subjects connected by „or“ or „nor“ take a plural verb?	No, they cannot. When singular subjects are connected by „or“ or „nor,“ the verb must agree with the nearer subject. It`s like a legal standoff, with the verb choosing its side based on proximity.
6. How do you handle indefinite pronouns in subject-verb agreement?	Indefinite pronouns, such as „everyone“ or „each,“ are singular, so they require singular verbs. It`s like game linguistic hide seek, uncover true nature sneaky pronouns.
7. What about phrases that come between the subject and verb?	Phrases that come between the subject and verb do not affect the agreement. The subject and verb are steadfast in their commitment to each other, regardless of any meddling phrases. It`s a testament to their unwavering bond.
8. Can singular subjects connected by „or“ or „nor“ take a plural verb?	No, they cannot. When singular subjects are connected by „or“ or „nor,“ the verb must agree with the nearer subject. It`s like a legal standoff, with the verb choosing its side based on proximity.
9. How do you handle subjects with „each“ and „every“?	Subjects with „each“ and „every“ are singular, and thus require singular verbs. It`s like a symphony of agreement, where every note plays its part in perfect unison.
10. What is the importance of subject-verb agreement in legal writing?	Subject-verb agreement is crucial in legal writing to ensure clarity and precision. It`s like the foundation of a solid legal argument, providing the structure and coherence necessary for a compelling case.

The Astonishing 10 Rules of Subject and Verb Agreement

As a language enthusiast, I have always found the rules of subject and verb agreement to be truly fascinating. The way in which a subject and verb must agree in number can seem like a complex dance, but once you understand the rules, it becomes a beautiful and harmonious relationship. In this blog post, I will share with you 10 rules of subject and verb agreement that will help you navigate the English language with confidence and grace.

Rule 1: Singular subjects take singular verbs

Singular Subject	Singular Verb
The cat	jumps
The dog	barks

Rule 2: Plural subjects take plural verbs

Plural Subject	Plural Verb
The cats	jump
The dogs	bark

Rule 3: Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs

Words like „team“ and „committee“ can be singular or plural depending on the context. For example, „The team is playing well“ and „The team are arguing amongst themselves“ are both correct.

Rule 4: Indefinite pronouns take singular verbs

Words like „everyone“ and „somebody“ always take singular verbs, such as „Everyone is coming to the party“ and „Somebody is knocking at the door.“

Rule 5: Subjects joined by „and“ take a plural verb

When two more subjects joined „and,“ verb plural. For example, „The cat the dog playing yard.“

Rule 6: Subjects joined by „or“ or „nor“ take a singular verb

When two or more subjects are joined by „or“ or „nor,“ the verb agrees with the closer subject. For example, „Neither the cat nor the dog is allowed on the couch.“

Rule 7: Titles of books, movies, and works of art take singular verbs

For example, „The Great Gatsby is a classic novel“ and „The Mona Lisa hangs in the Louvre.“

Rule 8: Fractions and amounts take singular verbs

For example, „Two-thirds of the cake is missing“ and „Ten dollars is a lot of money.“

Rule 9: The verb „to be“ is always singular

Regardless subject, verb „to be“ always singular. For example, „The sky is blue“ and „The flowers are beautiful.“

Rule 10: Singular nouns ending in „s“ take singular verbs

Words like „politics“ and „mathematics“ are singular and take singular verbs. For example, „Politics is a heated topic“ and „Mathematics is her favorite subject.“

Understanding and applying these rules of subject and verb agreement can elevate your writing and communication to a higher level. It may seem daunting at first, but with practice and attention to detail, you can master this elegant dance of language. I hope you find these rules as captivating as I do, and I encourage you to explore the nuanced beauty of the English language further.

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Subject and Verb Agreement Contract

This contract is entered into on this day _________, 20___, by and between the parties referred to as „Parties“ herein.

Rule	Description
Rule 1	The subject and verb must agree in number.
Rule 2	If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
Rule 3	Compound subjects joined by „and“ require a plural verb.
Rule 4	Collective nouns can take a singular or plural verb, depending on the context.
Rule 5	Indefinite pronouns take singular verbs.
Rule 6	Titles of books, movies, and other works take singular verbs.
Rule 7	For distances, weights, and amounts of money, the verb agrees with the object of the preposition.
Rule 8	When a singular noun or pronoun follows „one of“ or „each of,“ use a singular verb.
Rule 9	With words indicate portions—percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none—use singular verb noun „of“ singular. Use plural verb noun „of“ plural.
Rule 10	When „one“ is used as the subject in a sentence, it takes a singular verb.