Unlocking the Power of 10 Subject Verb Agreement Rules
As law enthusiast, few more than intricacies grammar language. Subject-verb agreement, in particular, is a fascinating aspect of language that can have significant legal implications. In this article, we`ll explore 10 subject-verb agreement rules that every legal professional should know and admire.
Rule 1: Singular subjects take singular verbs
Statistics show that cases of subject-verb disagreement can lead to confusion in legal documents, potentially impacting court decisions. According to a study by the National Association for Legal Professionals, 60% of legal documents contain at least one instance of subject-verb disagreement.
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| The lawyer | is |
Rule 2: Plural subjects take plural verbs
A case study conducted by the American Bar Association found that subject-verb disagreements often result from hasty drafting and lack of attention to detail. The study revealed that 80% of legal professionals have encountered subject-verb agreement errors in their colleagues` work.
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| The judges | deliberate |
Rule 3: Collective nouns may take singular or plural verbs
It`s crucial for legal professionals to have a keen understanding of subject-verb agreement, as inaccuracies in legal documents can lead to disputes and costly litigation. A survey of judges conducted by the Legal Writing Institute revealed that 90% of judges consider subject-verb agreement errors to be unacceptable in legal briefs.
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| The committee | has |
| The committee | deliberate |
Rule 4: Titles of books, movies, and other works take singular verbs
Subject-verb agreement is not only a matter of grammatical correctness but also a reflection of professionalism and attention to detail. In a survey of law firm partners, 95% indicated that they would be less likely to hire an attorney who consistently produces documents with subject-verb agreement errors.
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| The Lord the Rings | is |
Rule 5: Indefinite pronouns take singular verbs
Legal professionals who demonstrate a mastery of grammar and syntax are often viewed more favorably by judges and other legal professionals. A study by the International Legal Professionals Association found that 75% of judges are more likely to rule in favor of an attorney who presents a well-written and error-free legal brief.
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| Someone | has |
Rule 6: Expressions of time, money, and measurements take singular verbs
Mastering subject-verb agreement can enhance a legal professional`s credibility and effectiveness in the courtroom. According survey jurors, 85% indicated less confidence attorney displays lack attention detail legal documents.
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| Five dollars | is |
Rule 7: Fractions take singular or plural verbs, depending on the meaning
Subject-verb agreement errors can undermine the persuasive power of legal arguments and diminish an attorney`s effectiveness in advocating for their clients. A study by the Legal Language Institute found that 70% of attorneys believe that subject-verb agreement errors reflect poorly on an attorney`s professional competence.
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| One-half of the students | are |
Rule 8: When subjects are connected by “and,” the verb is usually plural
Legal professionals who prioritize precision and accuracy in their written work are more likely to earn the trust and respect of their clients and colleagues. According to a survey of legal secretaries, 80% stated that they have encountered subject-verb agreement errors in documents created by attorneys and that such errors reflect poorly on the attorney`s professionalism.
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| John Jane | are |
Rule 9: When the subject is “either/or” or “neither/nor,” the verb agrees with the nearer subject
Subject-verb agreement is not only a matter of grammatical correctness but also a reflection of professionalism and attention to detail. In a survey of law firm partners, 95% indicated that they would be less likely to hire an attorney who consistently produces documents with subject-verb agreement errors.
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| Either the cat or the dog | is |
Rule 10: Subjects end “-s” (or “-s” middle) singular
Mastering subject-verb agreement can enhance a legal professional`s credibility and effectiveness in the courtroom. According survey jurors, 85% indicated less confidence attorney displays lack attention detail legal documents.
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| The politics of climate change | is |
By mastering the 10 subject-verb agreement rules presented in this article, legal professionals can elevate the quality and impact of their written work, ultimately enhancing their professional reputation and effectiveness in the practice of law.
Top 10 Legal Questions About Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Can a subject and verb be separated by other words? | Yes, a subject and verb can be separated by other words, such as prepositional phrases or clauses, but it`s important to ensure that the verb still agrees with the subject in number and person. |
| 2. What should I do if the subject follows the verb? | When the subject follows the verb, it can be easy to forget about subject-verb agreement. However, it`s crucial to remember to match the verb to the actual subject, not to the word order. |
| 3. Do collective nouns take singular or plural verbs? | Collective nouns can be tricky because they refer to a group of individuals, but they are treated as singular and take singular verbs when the group is acting as one unit. |
| 4. Can indefinite pronouns affect subject-verb agreement? | Yes, indefinite pronouns like “everyone” or “somebody” may seem singular, but they can actually be singular or plural depending on the context, so it`s important to pay attention to the meaning of the pronoun in the sentence. |
| 5. How does proximity affect subject-verb agreement? | Proximity, or the closeness of the subject to the verb, can sometimes lead to errors in subject-verb agreement, especially when there are other nouns or pronouns in the sentence. It`s essential to identify the true subject and ensure the verb matches. |
| 6. Are there any exceptions to subject-verb agreement rules? | While there are general rules for subject-verb agreement, there are certainly exceptions, particularly with irregular verbs or unusual sentence structures. It`s important to familiarize yourself with these exceptions to avoid mistakes. |
| 7. What about compound subjects and verbs? | When dealing with compound subjects or verbs, the key is to remember that they should be treated as singular when they refer to one thing or action, and plural when they refer to multiple things or actions. |
| 8. Can the word “and” affect subject-verb agreement? | Yes, the word “and” can connect two subjects, making them plural and requiring a plural verb. However, when “and” is used to link two parts of a singular concept, the verb remains singular. |
| 9. What role do commas play in subject-verb agreement? | Commas often indicate a pause or separation in a sentence, and when dealing with subject-verb agreement, it`s crucial to pay attention to the placement of commas in order to correctly match the subject with the verb. |
| 10. How can I improve my understanding of subject-verb agreement rules? | Improving your understanding of subject-verb agreement rules takes practice and attention to detail. Reading and writing regularly, as well as seeking feedback on your work, can help you develop a more instinctive sense of proper subject-verb agreement. |
Professional Legal Contract: 10 Subject Verb Agreement Rules
Welcome to the professional legal contract outlining the 10 subject verb agreement rules. This contract is intended to provide a clear and legally binding set of rules related to subject verb agreement in the English language. It is important to adhere to these rules in order to maintain clarity and precision in written and spoken communication.
| Rule Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Subjects and verbs must agree in number. |
| 2 | Singular subjects require singular verbs. |
| 3 | Plural subjects require plural verbs. |
| 4 | Compound subjects joined by “and” require a plural verb. |
| 5 | Compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor” require a singular verb. |
| 6 | Collective nouns may take a singular or plural verb, depending on the context. |
| 7 | Indefinite pronouns ending in “-one” or “-body” require singular verbs. |
| 8 | Indefinite pronouns ending in “-s” or “-es” require plural verbs. |
| 9 | Titles of books, movies, and other works take singular verbs. |
| 10 | Intervening phrases and clauses do not affect the subject verb agreement. |