Subject-verb-adverb agreement is a crucial component of good writing that many writers often overlook. This agreement helps to establish a clear and concise meaning while enhancing the readability of your content. In this article, we will discuss subject-verb-adverb agreement in detail to help you improve your writing skills.

What is Subject-Verb-Adverb Agreement?

Subject-verb-adverb agreement refers to the correct matching of a subject to its corresponding verb and adverb in a sentence. This agreement ensures that the subject, the verb, and the adverb agree in terms of tense, number, and placement in a sentence. This agreement is essential to maintain grammatical integrity and ensure that the right message is conveyed.

Examples of Subject-Verb-Adverb Agreement

Consider the following examples:

Incorrect: The dog barks loud.

Correct: The dog barks loudly.

In the incorrect example, the adverb `loud` is used instead of `loudly`. The correct sentence uses the adverb form `loudly` that agrees with the verb `barks` and the subject `the dog.`

Incorrect: The boys goes to the park.

Correct: The boys go to the park.

In the incorrect example, the verb `goes` should have been `go` to agree with the plural subject `the boys`. The correct sentence uses the plural form of the verb `go` to match the subject `the boys.`

Why is Subject-Verb-Adverb Agreement Important?

Subject-verb-adverb agreement is crucial in writing because it ensures that the sentence makes sense and conveys the intended message. If there is no agreement between the subject, the verb, and the adverb in a sentence, the reader may misunderstand what the writer is trying to say. This misunderstanding can lead to confusion, unclear communication, and may even impact the credibility of the writer.

Tips for Ensuring Subject-Verb-Adverb Agreement

To ensure subject-verb-adverb agreement, writers must keep in mind the following tips:

1. Understand the tense: The tense of a sentence plays a crucial role in ensuring subject-verb-adverb agreement. The tense of a verb must match the subject and the adverb.

2. Pay attention to the number: The writer must ensure that the subject, the verb, and the adverb match in terms of number. Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs.

3. Placement of adverbs: Adverbs are essential in enhancing the meaning of a sentence. The writer must place the adverb correctly in relation to the verb it modifies.

4. Use of auxiliary verbs: Auxiliary verbs like `is,` `was,` `has,` and `had` are necessary to maintain agreement between the subject and the verb.

Conclusion

Subject-verb-adverb agreement is crucial in writing to ensure that the sentence conveys the intended message and is readily understandable by the reader. As a writer, you must always keep in mind the rules of subject-verb-adverb agreement to produce clear, concise, and grammatically correct content. By following the tips outlined above, you can improve your writing skills and produce quality content that engages and communicates effectively with your readers.