Agreement

Definition

Agreement refers to the grammatical and syntactical correspondence between different elements of a sentence, primarily focusing on how subjects and verbs relate to one another, as well as how nouns and pronouns match in number, gender, and case. This concept ensures that sentences are clear and coherent, allowing for better understanding and communication.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In English grammar, the most common forms of agreement are subject-verb agreement and pronoun-antecedent agreement.
2. Errors in agreement often occur when writers overlook the nuances of collective nouns or compound subjects.
3. The basic rule for subject-verb agreement states that singular subjects take singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs.
4. For pronouns, it is important to maintain agreement in both number and gender; for example, 'he' refers to males while 'she' refers to females.
5. In some cases, tricky constructions like 'none' or 'all' require careful attention to determine if they should be treated as singular or plural for agreement purposes.

Review Questions

• How does subject-verb agreement contribute to sentence clarity?
  • Subject-verb agreement is crucial for clarity because it helps ensure that the reader can easily identify the subject of a sentence and understand its action. When the subject and verb agree in number, it eliminates confusion about whether the action is being performed by one individual or multiple individuals. Without proper agreement, sentences can become ambiguous, making it harder for readers to grasp the intended meaning.
• What are some common mistakes people make regarding pronoun-antecedent agreement?
  • Common mistakes with pronoun-antecedent agreement often involve using a pronoun that does not match its antecedent in number or gender. For instance, using 'they' to refer to a singular antecedent can create confusion. Additionally, when dealing with collective nouns, writers may incorrectly choose either a singular or plural pronoun based on how they perceive the group’s action. Recognizing these nuances is essential for maintaining clear and accurate communication.
• Evaluate the importance of understanding collective nouns in the context of agreement rules and how it affects writing.
  • Understanding collective nouns is vital because they can challenge traditional agreement rules. Depending on whether the group acts as a single entity or as individuals, writers must decide if they should treat collective nouns as singular or plural. This decision impacts sentence structure and meaning significantly. Misapplication can lead to grammatical errors and muddled ideas. Therefore, mastering collective noun usage enhances overall writing precision and coherence.

Related terms

Subject-Verb Agreement: The principle that the verb must match the subject in number (singular or plural), ensuring that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: The rule that pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, gender, and person, making sure that singular pronouns refer to singular nouns and plural pronouns refer to plural nouns.

Collective Nouns: Nouns that refer to a group of individuals or things, which can be tricky in terms of agreement, as they can be treated as singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.