Subject Verb Agreement in Numbers Example

Subject-verb agreement is one of the fundamental aspects of English language grammar. It refers to the agreement between the subject and verb in a sentence, where the verb should match the number of the subject in terms of singular or plural. This is particularly important when it comes to sentences that involve numbers. Here we will discuss the subject-verb agreement in numbers examples.

Example 1: The number of students in the classroom is fifteen.

In this sentence, the subject is “the number of students,” which is singular. Therefore, the verb “is” should agree with the subject.

Example 2: The majority of the students in the classroom are female.

In this sentence, the subject is “the majority of the students,” which is singular. However, the word “students” is plural. Therefore, the verb “are” should agree with the plural word.

Example 3: The team has won three games in a row.

In this sentence, the subject is “the team,” which is singular. Therefore, the verb “has” should agree with the subject.

Example 4: Three teams are competing in the tournament.

In this sentence, the subject is “three teams,” which is plural. Therefore, the verb “are” should agree with the subject.

It is important to note that determining the subject in a sentence involving numbers can be tricky. Sometimes, the subject may not be the number itself, but rather a noun that follows it. Here`s an example:

Example 5: Two slices of pizza is enough for me.

In this sentence, the subject is “two slices of pizza,” which appears to be plural. However, the word “slices” is an adjective modifying the singular noun “pizza.” Therefore, the subject is singular, and the verb “is” should agree with it.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is crucial for effective communication in English. When it comes to sentences involving numbers, it is important to identify the true subject and ensure that the verb agrees with it in terms of singular or plural. By paying close attention to subject-verb agreement, you can avoid common grammar mistakes and create clear, concise, and grammatically correct sentences.