Subject-verb agreement in the English language is an essential component of effective writing. It ensures that the verb used matches the subject of the sentence in number and person. However, when determiners come into play, subject-verb agreement can become a bit trickier, even for seasoned writers. In this article, we will explore the rules for subject-verb agreement when determiners are involved.
First, let us define determiners. Determiners are words that come before a noun and indicate whether the noun is general or specific. Examples of determiners include „a,“ „an,“ „the,“ „my,“ „your,“ „this,“ and „that.“ These words typically function as adjectives and provide context for the noun that follows.
When a singular determiner precedes a singular noun, the verb that follows must also be singular. For example, „The cat is sleeping“ and „A dog barks loudly.“ The determiners „the“ and „a“ are singular, so the verbs „is“ and „barks“ agree with them.
Similarly, when a plural determiner comes before a plural noun, the verb that follows must also be plural. For example, „These apples are delicious“ and „My friends are arriving soon.“ The determiners „these“ and „my“ are plural, so the verbs „are“ and „are“ agree with them.
However, when a singular determiner comes before a plural noun, there can be confusion about whether the verb should be singular or plural. In such cases, it`s best to consider whether the determiner refers to a specific or non-specific group of things.
If the determiner refers to a specific group of things, it should take a singular verb. For example, „The team is practicing today“ and „My family lives in the suburbs.“ Although „team“ and „family“ are both made up of more than one person, they are specific groups, and therefore, the singular verb „is“ and „lives“ should be used.
If the determiner refers to a non-specific group of things, it should take a plural verb. For example, „Some boys are playing soccer“ and „Several books were stolen from the library.“ The determiners „some“ and „several“ are non-specific, indicating a group of more than one person or thing. Therefore, the plural verbs „are“ and „were“ are appropriate.
In conclusion, understanding subject-verb agreement with determiners is crucial in maintaining grammatical integrity in writing. As a copy editor, it`s important to ensure that writers are following these rules correctly. By keeping these guidelines in mind, writers can be confident in their ability to accurately convey their messages to their audience.