Subject-verb agreement is a basic rule of English grammar that is important for anyone who wants to write well. This rule states that the subject of a sentence must agree with the verb in number. In other words, if the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
The SSC (Staff Selection Commission) is a prestigious organization that conducts various exams for recruitment to various posts in different government departments. Aspiring candidates must have a good command over the English language, which includes understanding the rules of subject-verb agreement. Here are some important rules to keep in mind when it comes to SSC subject-verb agreement:
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs. For example, “The dog barks” (singular subject and verb) and “The dogs bark” (plural subject and verb).
2. Collective nouns are singular, but they refer to a group of people or things. The verb that follows must also be singular. For example, “The team is playing” (singular subject and verb) and “The teams are playing” (plural subject and verb).
3. When the subject of a sentence is separated from the verb by a phrase or clause, make sure to match the verb to the subject, not the phrase or clause. For example, “The books on the shelf are mine” (plural subject and verb) and “The book on the shelf is mine” (singular subject and verb).
4. When using compound subjects with “and,” the verb should be plural. For example, “Tom and Jerry are friends” (compound subject and plural verb).
5. When using compound subjects with “or,” the verb should agree with the subject that is closer to it. For example, “Either Tom or Jerry knows the answer” (singular verb, as “Jerry” is closer to the verb).
6. In questions, the verb should agree with the subject, whether it is singular or plural. For example, “Is the dog barking?” (singular subject and verb) and “Are the dogs barking?” (plural subject and verb).
It is important for SSC candidates to practice their subject-verb agreement skills by reading and writing extensively. They should also seek guidance from experts and refer to grammar books regularly. Good grammar and language skills are essential for success in SSC exams and in various fields of work. So, mastering the rules of subject-verb agreement is one step towards achieving their goals.