Agreement of Verb and Predicate
Agreement of Verb and Predicate: A Guide to Proper Grammar
Verb and predicate agreement is a fundamental rule of grammar that governs how the subject and predicate of a sentence should agree in terms of their tense and number. In simple terms, a verb and predicate must agree with the subject of a sentence to ensure proper grammar and easy comprehension of the content.
Here are some tips on how to ensure proper verb and predicate agreement in your writing:
1. Identify the subject of the sentence:
The subject of a sentence is typically the person, place, thing, or idea that is performing an action or being described. Identifying the subject is crucial to ensuring that the verb and predicate agree with it.
2. Determine the tense of the sentence:
The tense of a sentence is determined by the time at which the action being described occurred. Understanding the tense of the sentence is important because the verb and the predicate should agree in terms of the tense being used.
3. Use proper subject-verb agreement:
The verb and predicate of a sentence should agree with the subject in terms of the singular or plural form. For instance, if a singular subject is used, it should be paired with a singular verb, and if a plural subject is used, a plural verb should follow.
4. Use proper tense agreement:
The verb and predicate should also agree with the tense of the sentence. For instance, if the sentence is in the past tense, the verb and predicate should also be in the past tense form.
5. Be aware of exceptions and irregularities:
While there are general rules governing verb and predicate agreement, there are also exceptions and irregularities that should be noted. For example, some verbs have irregular past tense forms, and there are some nouns that are singular in form but plural in meaning.
In conclusion, proper verb and predicate agreement is essential for effective communication. Understanding these rules and implementing them in your writing will enhance the clarity and coherence of your work. So, always double-check your writing to ensure proper agreement of verb and predicate!