Subject-Verb Agreement and Common Errors - V

 

Subject-Verb Agreement and Common Errors - V

Dear readers, in the previous post we discussed some of the common errors associated with Subject-Verb Agreement that English as non-native speakers encounter in their daily conversation. In continuation with that, this present post highlights the common errors that people tend to commit in terms of Subject-Verb Agreement. 

Mostly we commit mistakes based on subject-verb agreement in our English. We should learn that verb agrees with subject. If a subject is singular, it takes a singular verb; and if a subject is plural, it takes a plural verb. Let us look at some of the common errors that we might encounter in our daily conversations in terms of Errors due to Proximity.

Errors due to Proximity

Usually, the Verb is made to agree in Number with a Noun near it, instead of its proper Subject. Examples:

⦁ The character of my friends are good. 

⦁ The character of my friends is good. (Here the focus is on 'character', not 'friends'.)

⦁ One of my relatives are working in Chennai. 

⦁ One of my relatives is working in Chennai. (Here the Subject is 'one' i.e., singular, not 'relatives', therefore 'is' should be used.)

⦁ By that time, three months' salary were due.  

⦁ By that time, three months' salary was due. (Here the Subject is 'salary' not 'months', so the Verb must be singular.)

⦁ The quality of the vegetables are good. 

⦁ The quality of the vegetables is good. (Here the Subject is 'quality' not 'vegetables', so the Verb must be singular.)

⦁ The price of these new books have risen.

⦁ The price of these new books has risen. (Here the Subject is 'price' not 'books', so the Verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, we should use 'have'.)

⦁ A series of programmes have been planned for the Gurupuja celebrations.

⦁ A series of programmes has been planned for the Gurupuja celebrations. (Here the Subject is 'A series' i.e., singular, not 'programmes', so the Verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, we should use 'have'.)

 Let us discuss some more ideas on the same topic in the next post. 

Author:

Dr. K. Nandhakumar

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science (Autonomous)

Coimbatore- 641 020