Common Mistakes with Subject-Verb Agreement in Everyday Conversation

Subject-verb agreement helps make our English clear and easy to understand. Here are some common mistakes people make when they talk every day.

1. Singular vs. Plural Subjects

One common mistake is mixing up singular subjects with plural verbs, or the other way around.

• Mistake: The team are winning the game.
• Correct: The team is winning the game.

2. Collective Nouns

Collective nouns are words that talk about a group. They can be used as either singular (one group) or plural (more than one group), depending on the situation.

• Mistake: The audience were cheering loudly.
• Correct: The audience was cheering loudly.

3. Compound Subjects

When you use “and” to combine two subjects, you usually need a plural verb.

• Mistake: The cat and the dog is outside.
• Correct: The cat and the dog are outside.

But if you think of the two subjects as one, you can use a singular verb.

• Example: My friend and mentor is calling.

4. Indefinite Pronouns

Words like "everyone," "each," and "nobody" are always singular, so they need a singular verb.

• Mistake: Everyone are invited to the party.
• Correct: Everyone is invited to the party.

5. Distance or Time Expressions

When talking about a quantity like money or time, you usually use a singular verb.

• Mistake: Ten dollars are too much for that.
• Correct: Ten dollars is too much for that.

Conclusion

By being aware of these common mistakes, you can get better at using subject-verb agreement in your conversations. Practice using the right forms in different situations to improve your English skills!