One of the fundamental rules of grammar is subject-verb agreement. This rule states that the subject of a sentence must agree in number with its corresponding verb. In other words, a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. Knowing how to apply this rule can help you avoid common errors in your writing and ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct.

Consider the following sentences:

1. The dog chases the cat.

2. The dogs chase the cat.

3. The dog chase the cat.

Out of these three sentences, the correct one that demonstrates subject-verb agreement is number 1: “The dog chases the cat.” The subject, “dog,” is singular, and the verb, “chases,” is also singular. This sentence is grammatically correct because the subject and the verb agree in number.

Sentence number 2, “The dogs chase the cat,” is also correct because the subject “dogs” is plural, and the verb “chase” agrees with it. However, sentence number 3, “The dog chase the cat,” is an incorrect sentence because the verb “chase” is in the plural form, whereas the subject “dog” is singular.

It is essential to note that subject-verb agreement applies not only to simple sentences but also to more complex sentences where the subject and the verb are separated by a clause or a phrase. In such cases, it is crucial to identify the subject and ensure that the verb agrees with it in number.

In conclusion, understanding subject-verb agreement is vital to good writing and effective communication. Always remember that the subject and the verb in a sentence must agree in number. By applying this rule, you can write grammatically correct sentences that are clear and easy to read.