[ad_1]
Which Sentence Correctly Uses the Agreement Rule That Applies to Compound Subjects Joined by And?
When it comes to using compound subjects joined by the conjunction “and,” it is essential to follow the agreement rule. This rule states that when two or more subjects are connected by “and,” the verb that follows should be in the plural form. Let’s explore this rule further and provide examples to help you understand how to correctly use it.
Understanding the Agreement Rule:
In English grammar, agreement refers to the correspondence between a subject and its verb. When using compound subjects joined by “and,” it is crucial to remember that the subjects are acting as a unit, resulting in a plural subject. Therefore, the verb must also be plural to maintain agreement.
Examples:
1. Incorrect: The dog and the cat is playing.
2. Correct: The dog and the cat are playing.
In the incorrect example, the verb “is” is singular, while the compound subjects, “the dog” and “the cat,” are plural. To correct this, we need to change the verb to its plural form, “are,” to match the subjects.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use a singular verb with compound subjects joined by “and”?
A: No, when using compound subjects joined by “and,” the verb should always be in the plural form to maintain agreement.
Q: What if one subject is singular and the other is plural?
A: In this case, the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For example:
Incorrect: The cat and the dogs is sleeping.
Correct: The cat and the dogs are sleeping.
Q: Can I use a singular verb if the compound subjects refer to the same person or thing?
A: No, even if the compound subjects refer to the same person or thing, the verb should still be in the plural form. For example:
Incorrect: Mary and my best friend is coming.
Correct: Mary and my best friend are coming.
Q: Can I use a plural verb if the compound subjects are considered a single unit or entity?
A: No, even if the compound subjects are considered a single unit or entity, the verb should still be in the plural form. For example:
Incorrect: Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite.
Correct: Peanut butter and jelly are my favorite.
Q: What if the compound subjects are joined by words like “as well as” or “in addition to”?
A: When compound subjects are joined by words such as “as well as” or “in addition to,” the agreement rule still applies. The verb should be in the plural form. For example:
Incorrect: John, as well as his friends, is going to the party.
Correct: John, as well as his friends, are going to the party.
In conclusion, the agreement rule for compound subjects joined by “and” requires using a plural verb. This ensures that the verb matches the plural subjects and maintains grammatical agreement. By following this rule, you can ensure clear and correct sentence structure.
[ad_2]