Proper subject-verb agreement is a crucial component of effective communication. When the subject and verb of a sentence do not agree in number, it can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. In fact, incorrect subject-verb agreement is a common mistake that even experienced writers can make.

To demonstrate proper subject-verb agreement, let`s look at two example sentences:

1. The dog chases the ball.

2. The dog chase the ball.

Which of these sentences displays proper subject-verb agreement?

The correct answer is sentence number one: “The dog chases the ball.” In this sentence, the subject (dog) is singular, and the verb (chases) is also singular. This agreement in number makes the sentence clear and easy to understand.

In contrast, sentence number two is incorrect because the subject (dog) is singular, while the verb (chase) is plural. This disagreement in number can cause confusion and make the sentence difficult to understand.

It`s important to remember that subject-verb agreement is not just about making sure the subject and verb match in number. It`s also about making sure the verb agrees with the subject in tense, voice, and mood. For example:

– The dog chased the ball. (past tense)

– The ball is being chased by the dog. (active voice)

– It is important that the dog chase the ball. (subjunctive mood)

In summary, proper subject-verb agreement is critical for clear and effective communication. By ensuring that the subject and verb agree in number, tense, voice, and mood, you can create sentences that are easy to read and understand.