Agreement in grammar is a crucial element in conveying clear and concise messages. In language, agreement typically refers to the relationship between a subject and a verb, along with noun agreement. Agreement ensures that the parts of a sentence fit together seamlessly, making it easy for the reader to understand the intended meaning. Here are some examples of agreement in sentences.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. The verb must match the subject in terms of number: singular or plural. Here are some examples of sentences with correct subject-verb agreement:
– The dog barks loudly every morning.
– The birds sing sweetly in the trees.
– The students are studying for their exams.
In each of these sentences, the verb agrees with the subject in terms of number. “Dog” is singular, so the verb “barks” is also singular. “Birds” and “students” are both plural, so the verbs “sing” and “are studying” are also plural.
Noun Agreement
Noun agreement refers to ensuring that all the nouns in a sentence are in the same form. This is important to avoid confusion and to keep the sentence grammatically correct. Here are some examples of sentences with correct noun agreement:
– The book and the pen are on the desk.
– The woman with the long hair and the green eyes is my sister.
– The cats and the dogs are playing in the yard.
In each of these sentences, the nouns are in agreement with each other. “Book” and “pen” are both singular, so the verb “are” is also singular. “Woman” is singular, so the verb “is” is also singular. “Cats” and “dogs” are both plural, so the verb “are playing” is also plural.
Pronoun Agreement
Pronoun agreement refers to the relationship between a pronoun and the word it replaces. It is essential to ensure that the pronoun agrees with the noun it replaces in terms of number, gender, and case. Here are some examples of sentences with correct pronoun agreement:
– John forgot his lunch, and he was hungry all day.
– The singer finished her performance, and she received a standing ovation.
– The company announced its earnings, and it pleased its shareholders.
In each of these sentences, the pronouns agree with the nouns they replace. “John” is male, so the pronoun “he” is also male. “Singer” is female, so the pronoun “she” is also female. “Company” is neutral, so the pronoun “it” is also neutral.
In conclusion, agreement in a sentence is a vital component of grammar that ensures that ideas are conveyed clearly and concisely. It is always important to check for agreement in a sentence to avoid errors and inconsistencies that may make the sentence difficult to read, understand or could lead to misinterpretation. By understanding these examples, anyone can work towards improving their writing by using proper agreement in their writing.