Sentence Examples with Agreement: A Guide to Proper Grammar
Agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, and it refers to the way different parts of a sentence work together to ensure clarity and consistency. Proper agreement helps readers understand the writer`s intended meaning, and it reflects positively on the writer`s skills and attention to detail. In this article, we`ll explore sentence examples with agreement to illustrate different types of agreement and how to use them correctly.
Subject-Verb Agreement
One of the most important types of agreement is subject-verb agreement, which dictates that the subject of a sentence must agree with its verb in terms of number and person. For example, in the sentence “He walks to school every day,” “he” is the singular subject and “walks” is the singular verb. In contrast, in the sentence “They walk to school every day,” “they” is the plural subject and “walk” is the plural verb.
Here are some more sentence examples with agreement:
– The dog chases the cat. (singular subject and verb)
– The dogs chase the cats. (plural subject and verb)
– My friend and I are going to the movies. (plural subject and verb)
– My friend or I am going to the movies. (singular verb agrees with nearest subject, “I”)
As these examples show, subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication. When the subject and verb do not agree, the sentence can be confusing or misleading.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Another important type of agreement is pronoun-antecedent agreement, which pertains to the relationship between a pronoun and the word it refers to (the antecedent). The pronoun must agree with the antecedent in terms of number, gender, and person. For example, in the sentence “Mary loves her cat,” “her” is the singular pronoun that agrees with the singular antecedent “Mary” and the feminine gender.
Here are some sentence examples with agreement in pronoun-antecedent agreement:
– Sarah loves her dog, and she takes him for walks every day. (singular antecedent and pronoun)
– The students turned in their homework, and they are proud of their work. (plural antecedent and pronoun)
– The writer must be careful to avoid using passive voice in their writing. (singular antecedent and gender neutral pronoun)
As these examples show, pronoun-antecedent agreement can be tricky when dealing with gender-neutral language. In these cases, it`s important to choose a pronoun that agrees with the antecedent in terms of person while also being inclusive and respectful.
Adjective-Noun Agreement
A third type of agreement is adjective-noun agreement, which refers to the way adjectives modify nouns to provide additional information and detail. Adjectives must agree with nouns in terms of number and gender. For example, in the sentence “The red car drives fast,” “red” is the singular adjective that agrees with the singular noun “car.”
Here are some sentence examples with agreement in adjective-noun agreement:
– The black cats are sleeping on the couch. (plural noun and adjective)
– The happy child is playing with their toys. (singular noun and gender-neutral adjective)
– The old man and the young woman are sitting on the bench. (plural noun and mixed adjectives)
As these examples show, adjective-noun agreement is important for adding descriptive detail that enhances the reader`s understanding and engagement with the text.
Conclusion
Sentence examples with agreement demonstrate the importance of proper grammar in clear and effective writing. Whether it`s subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, or adjective-noun agreement, agreement helps ensure that readers understand the writer`s intended meaning and appreciate the writer`s attention to detail. By using these examples as a guide, writers can improve their skills and produce quality content that engages and informs their audience.