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      • Rule 1: Capitalization of Proper Nouns
      • Rule 2: Parallelism
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      • Rule 4: Pronouns
      • Rule 5: Run-On Sentences
      • Rule 6: Sentence Fragments
      • Rule 7: Subject-Verb Agreement
      • Rule 8: Using Commas
      • Rule 9: Verb Tense Consistency
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  • Home
  • Syllabus
  • Learning RTW
    • An Introduction to the RTW Method
    • An Application of RTW
    • An Interactive RTW Paragraph Worksheet >
      • Topic Sentence
      • CER
      • Claim
      • Evidence
      • Rationale
    • Writing Made Simple--Nine Essential Grammar Rules >
      • Rule 1: Capitalization of Proper Nouns
      • Rule 2: Parallelism
      • Rule 3: Point of View
      • Rule 4: Pronouns
      • Rule 5: Run-On Sentences
      • Rule 6: Sentence Fragments
      • Rule 7: Subject-Verb Agreement
      • Rule 8: Using Commas
      • Rule 9: Verb Tense Consistency
    • APA Citation Format
    • Online Writing Assistance
    • RTW Materials
  • Composing a Life
    • Week 1
    • Week 2
    • Week 3
    • Week 4
    • Week 5
  • Searching for Truths
    • Week 6
    • Week 7
    • Week 8
    • Week 9
    • Week 10
  • Working for Community and Justice
    • Week 11
    • Week 12
    • Week 13
    • Week 14
    • Week 15
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Rule 7: Subject-Verb Agreement

For a sentence to be grammatically correct, the verb must be in consistent agreement with its subject in singular or plural number. Most, but not all, singular subjects require a singular verb which ends in “s.” Likewise, most plural subjects abandon the “s” in the verb. The following examples will help demonstrate subject-verb consistency with singular and plural forms.
 
Example 1: A healthy diet reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
In this example, there is a singular subject (“diet”). Therefore, the verb (“reduce”) must either be changed to the “s” form in order to agree with the singular subject, or the subject must be pluralized to agree with the current plural-form verb.
Solution 1: A healthy diet reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
Solution 2: Healthy diets reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
 
Additionally, linking verbs (forms of the verb, “to be”) must have agreement with their corresponding subjects.
 
Example 2: These four pieces of evidence is the basis of her argument.
Here, “pieces of evidence” is plural, so the linking verb “is” must be changed to the plural.
Solution 2: These four pieces of evidence are the basis of her argument. 
 
 
 
 
 
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