Improve Your English Grammar Skills with Subject-Verb Agreement
How important is subject-verb agreement in English grammar?
Choose the sentence in which the subjects and verbs have been correctly identified and in which the subjects and verbs agree:
A) Neither Darren nor Ida is capable of such a crime.
B) Neither Darren nor Ida are capable of such a crime.
C) Neither Darren nor Ida is capable of such a crime.
D) Neither Darren nor Ida are capable of such a crime.
Final answer:
Importance of Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is an essential component of English grammar. The correct sentences in the question are option A and C - 'Neither Darren nor Ida is capable of such a crime', as they obey the rule that the verb should agree with the subject closer to it in a 'neither...nor' construct. Understanding and applying this rule is a key aspect of improving English language proficiency.
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement in English language is about ensuring that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number. This means, if the subject of a sentence is singular, its verb must also be singular; likewise, if the subject is plural, its verb must also be plural. English language learners must understand this core principle to improve their grammar skills.
For example, 'Neither of the wide receivers feels ready for the season to end' is a sentence where the verb agrees with the closer subject 'wide receivers'. The indefinite pronoun 'neither', which could refer to singular or plural subjects, is correctly matched with a singular verb 'feels' because 'wide receivers' is plural.
Mastering subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear and effective communication in English. It helps in forming grammatically correct sentences and makes your writing more precise and professional. Practice and understand this concept to enhance your language skills and express yourself with confidence.