Subject-verb agreement is an important aspect of good grammar that ensures correct communication between the writer and the reader. When it comes to compound subjects joined by coordinating conjunctions, it can be easy to make mistakes. In this article, we will explore subject-verb agreement with compound subjects joined by coordinating conjunctions.
What are compound subjects?
Compound subjects are two or more subjects that share the same verb. These subjects can be joined by coordinating conjunctions such as “and,” “or,” and “but.” For example, “John and Mary are going to the party.” In this sentence, “John” and “Mary” are the compound subjects, and “are going” is the verb they share.
Subject-verb agreement with compound subjects
When it comes to subject-verb agreement with compound subjects, the verb must agree with the number of the subjects. If the subjects are singular, the verb must also be singular, and if they are plural, the verb must also be plural.
For example, “The cat and the dog sit on the mat.” In this sentence, “cat” and “dog” are the compound subjects, and “sit” is the verb they share. Since both subjects are singular, the verb “sit” must also be singular.
Let`s take another example: “My brother and sister are both talented musicians.” In this sentence, “brother” and “sister” are the compound subjects, and “are” is the verb they share. Since both subjects are plural, the verb “are” must also be plural.
Coordinating conjunctions and subject-verb agreement
Coordinating conjunctions can also affect subject-verb agreement with compound subjects. When compound subjects are joined by the coordinating conjunctions “or” and “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
For example, “Neither the teacher nor the students were interested in the topic.” In this sentence, “teacher” is singular, and “students” is plural. However, since the coordinating conjunction “nor” is used, the verb must agree with the subject closest to it, which is “students.” Therefore, the verb “were” is plural.
On the other hand, when compound subjects are joined by the coordinating conjunction “and,” the verb must be plural.
For example, “The dog and the cat are both sleeping.” In this sentence, “dog” and “cat” are the compound subjects, and “are” is the verb they share. Since they are joined by the coordinating conjunction “and,” the verb must be plural.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement with compound subjects joined by coordinating conjunctions can be tricky, but it is important to get it right to ensure clear communication. Always remember that the verb must agree with the number of the compound subjects. Use the coordinating conjunctions “or” and “nor” to choose the verb that agrees with the subject closest to it, and use “and” to make the verb plural. With these tips, you can become a master at subject-verb agreement with compound subjects joined by coordinating conjunctions.
