Subject-verb agreement is vital in writing. Many grammar rules govern the correct usage of subject-verb agreement. One of the most common errors seen in writing is the mismatch between the subject and verb. This is what we call “not one subject-verb agreement,” and it occurs when the subject and the verb of a sentence do not correspond in number.
Not one subject-verb agreement is a common error that often stems from a lack of attention or carelessness in writing. The basic rule of subject-verb agreement is that the subject and verb must agree in number. For instance, a singular subject requires a singular verb form, and a plural subject requires a plural verb form. However, sometimes writers make the mistake of using the wrong form of the verb.
For example, a common mistake that people make when they speak or write is using “is” instead of “are” or vice versa. For instance, “The team of players is excited to start the game,” is incorrect. The correct sentence should be “The team of players are excited to start the game,” because the subject, “team of players,” is plural.
Another example is when writers confuse singular and plural nouns. In some cases, the singular noun may seem plural because it has an “s” at the end, so it becomes tricky to determine the correct form of the verb. For instance, “The series of books was interesting” is incorrect. The correct sentence should be “The series of books were interesting,” because the subject, “series of books,” is plural.
Additionally, not one subject-verb agreement can also occur when writing about collective nouns. A collective noun refers to a group of individuals or objects that are considered as one unit. Examples include team, family, herd, and audience. In these cases, writers sometimes make the mistake of using a singular verb form when a plural verb form is needed. For instance, “The team was playing well,” is incorrect. The correct sentence should be “The team were playing well,” because the subject, “team,” is collective, and its components are plural.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a critical aspect of writing. Not one subject-verb agreement is a common error that many writers make, leading to unclear and confusing sentences. To avoid this mistake, writers must pay close attention to the subject and verb of each sentence and ensure they agree in number. By following the basic rules of subject-verb agreement, writers can produce clear and effective writing that engages and informs their readers.