Subject-verb agreement is the idea that the verb in a sentence should match the subject in terms of number and person. When a collective noun is used as the subject, it can be tricky to determine the appropriate verb form. Here are some guidelines for creating subject-verb agreement with collective nouns:
1. Use a singular verb form when the collective noun is considered as a single entity.
- Example: The team is practicing for the tournament.
2. Use a plural verb form when the collective noun is considered as a group of individuals.
- Example: The team are wearing their jerseys proudly.
3. Pay attention to phrases or words that indicate collective nouns are acting as individual units. In such cases, a singular verb should be used.
- Example: The jury arrives at a unanimous decision.
4. Consider context and logic. Sometimes the verb form may vary depending on the intended meaning or how you perceive the collective noun.
- Example: The staff is/were divided on the issue.
It's important to note that subject-verb agreement can depend on the dialect or use of British or American English. While the rules above are generally followed, there may be exceptions or variations in specific cases.
creating subject-verb agreement between verbs and collective nouns used as subjects
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