Explain the Rules regarding Minor Agreement

Minor agreement is an important grammatical rule in English that ensures subject-verb agreement. In simpler words, it means that the verb used in a sentence should agree with the subject in terms of number (singular or plural). The rule states that if the subject is singular, the verb used in the sentence should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well. This article will discuss the rules regarding minor agreement in detail to help you understand and use them effectively.

Rule 1: One Subject, One Verb

The first rule of minor agreement is that each sentence must have one subject and one verb. The verb used in the sentence should always agree with the subject in terms of number. For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb used in the sentence should also be singular, and if it is plural, the verb should be plural as well.

Example: The boy is playing with the ball. (Singular subject “boy” is matched with a singular verb “is playing”)

Rule 2: Compound Subject

When a sentence has a compound subject, i.e., two or more subjects connected by “and”, the verb should be plural.

Example: The boy and the girl are playing with the ball. (Two subjects “boy” and “girl” are connected with “and,” hence plural verb “are playing” is used)

Rule 3: Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals or things, but they are considered singular nouns. Examples of collective nouns are class, team, herd, committee, etc.

Example: The class is going on a field trip. (The singular collective noun “class” is matched with a singular verb “is”)

Rule 4: Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns such as anyone, everyone, somebody, nobody, etc., are always singular. Therefore, the verb used with them should also be singular.

Example: Someone left their jacket. (The singular indefinite pronoun “someone” is matched with a singular verb “left”)

Rule 5: Titles and Names

Titles and names that represent a specific entity (a company, organization, etc.) are usually singular, and the verb used with them should also be singular.

Example: The Coca-Cola Company is launching a new product. (The singular name “The Coca-Cola Company” is matched with a singular verb “is launching”)

In conclusion, minor agreement is an essential rule in English grammar that ensures coherence and clarity in writing. Remembering these rules will help you express your ideas more effectively and communicate with others without any confusion. So, always remember to choose the correct verb for your sentence based on the number of your subject, and your writing will be on the right track!