All of Them: Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is an essential component of grammar that plays a significant role in conveying clear and concise communication. Essentially, it refers to the rule that states that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if it`s plural, the verb should also be plural. While this may seem like a simple concept, it`s crucial to pay attention to the details to ensure the correctness and clarity of your writing.
One of the most common areas where subject-verb agreement errors occur is with the use of the phrase « all of them. » This phrase refers to a group of people or things, which may be singular or plural, depending on the context. Therefore, it`s essential to make sure that the subject and verb agree based on the number indicated by the phrase « all of them. »
For example, consider the following sentences:
« All of them is coming to the party. »
« All of them are coming to the party. »
In the first sentence, the subject and verb don`t agree in number, as « all of them » is plural, while « is » is singular. The correct sentence should be, « All of them are coming to the party, » where « are » agrees with the plural subject, « all of them. »
Similarly, another example that illustrates this rule is:
« All of them is in agreement on the matter. »
« All of them are in agreement on the matter. »
In this case, the first sentence is incorrect as the singular verb « is » doesn`t agree with the plural subject « all of them. » The correct sentence is « All of them are in agreement on the matter, » where the plural verb « are » agrees with the plural subject, « all of them. »
It`s also important to note that while « all » is a singular subject, it can also be used as a plural subject when it refers to a group of people or things. In this case, the verb should also be plural to reflect the number of the subject. For example, « All the students are present in the classroom, » where « are » agrees with the plural subject, « all the students. »
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential grammar rule that should be carefully considered when writing to ensure clear and concise communication. The phrase « all of them » is a common area where subject-verb agreement errors occur. Still, with attention to detail, writers can avoid these errors and create accurate and effective writing.