Common mistake Possible agreement error: plural noun + singular verb

Common Mistake: Possible agreement error - plural noun + singular verb

One common mistake that many people make in their writing is an agreement error between a plural noun and a singular verb. This error occurs when the subject of a sentence is plural, but the verb that follows it is in the singular form.

For example:

Incorrect: The dogs runs in the park.
Correct: The dogs run in the park.

In the incorrect sentence, the plural noun "dogs" is incorrectly paired with the singular verb "runs". The correct sentence should use the plural verb "run" to match the plural subject.

This type of agreement error can be easily avoided by remembering to match the number of the subject with the appropriate verb form. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. If the subject is plural, use a plural verb.

However, there are cases where the subject may appear to be plural, but is actually considered singular. These are known as collective nouns, which refer to a group of individuals but are treated as a single entity.

For example:

Incorrect: The committee was divided in their opinions.
Correct: The committee was divided in its opinions.

In the incorrect sentence, the plural pronoun "their" does not agree with the singular collective noun "committee". The correct sentence should use the singular pronoun "its" to match the singular subject.

By paying attention to subject-verb agreement and being aware of collective nouns, you can avoid these common agreement errors. Remember to use a plural verb with plural subjects, and a singular verb with singular subjects.

One useful tool for catching and correcting such mistakes is the Linguix grammar checker. It can help you identify and fix agreement errors, as well as provide suggestions for improving your overall writing style.

Possible agreement error: plural noun + singular verb mistake examples

Incorrect:
Grammatical errors is bad.

Correct:
Grammatical errors are bad.
Correct:
Writing books is hard.
Correct:
10 hours is a lot!
Correct:
Ten years is a long time to wait.
Correct:
Daylight savings is over today.
Correct:
Insights alerts is also a much awaited feature.
Correct:
Four miles is a good distance.
Correct:
Hey guys there is room for everyone.
Correct:
Private practices is the wrong word.
Correct:
Good fruit is scarce in winter, and costs a lot.
Correct:
However, less data is available for other dietary antioxidants, such as vitamin E, or the polyphenols.

Incorrect:
Grammatical errors always makes your text look bad.

Correct:
Grammatical errors always make your text look bad.
Incorrect:
Normally Grammatical errors always makes your text look bad.

Correct:
Normally Grammatical errors always make your text look bad.
Incorrect:
Heat rates has no impact on numbers.

Correct:
Heat rates have no impact on numbers.
Incorrect:
Additional resources does not solve the problem and in itself is limiting.

Correct:
Additional resources do not solve the problem and in itself is limiting.
Incorrect:
Limited payments really hurts the credibility and effectiveness of the programs we have all worked so hard to develop.

Correct:
Limited payments really hurt the credibility and effectiveness of the programs we have all worked so hard to develop.
Incorrect:
Bell hooks doesn't preclude the use of other types of hooks.

Correct:
Bell hooks don't preclude the use of other types of hooks.
Incorrect:
Industry sources forecasts a 70,000 to 80,000 head run for Saturday slaughter.

Correct:
Industry sources forecast a 70,000 to 80,000 head run for Saturday slaughter.
Correct:
Unaggregated data is collected.
Correct:
Star Wars approves.
Correct:
Soft Tabs is on.
Correct:
Writing books is hard.
Correct:
Training legs is necessary.
Correct:
My horse likes apples.
Correct:
Caesium forms alloys with the other alkali metals, as well as with gold, and amalgams with mercury.
Correct:
Tom answers then says, "Who is responsible for this"?
Correct:
Grammatical errors not makes your text easy to read.
Correct:
bell hooks doesn't capitalise her pen name.
Correct:
Bell hooks doesn't the correct type; you need claw hooks.

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