Prepositional Phrase Subject Verb Agreement Example: Mastering Proper Grammar in Writing
Good writing often depends on proper grammar usage. One of the common grammar rules that writers must follow involves the agreement of verbs with their subjects. However, when prepositional phrases are introduced into a sentence, this rule can become a bit more complex. In this article, we will explore the prepositional phrase subject verb agreement example and how to master it.
Understanding Prepositional Phrases
Before delving into the subject-verb agreement, it is essential to understand what prepositional phrases are. A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, pronoun, or gerund (a verb form that ends in -ing). For example, "in the morning," "on the table," and "under the bridge" are all prepositional phrases.
Prepositional Phrase Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject-verb agreement rule states that the verb in a sentence must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural). However, when a prepositional phrase intervenes between the subject and verb, it can be challenging to determine whether the verb should be singular or plural.
For example, consider the following sentence: "The group of students (singular subject) studying (gerund) in the library (prepositional phrase) is (singular verb) quiet."
In this case, the singular verb "is" agrees with the singular subject "group of students" and not with the noun in the prepositional phrase "library."
Now, let us consider another example: "The books (plural subject) on the shelf (prepositional phrase) need (plural verb) to be arranged."
In this case, the plural verb "need" agrees with the plural subject "books" and not with the noun in the prepositional phrase "shelf."
Trick to Master Prepositional Phrase Subject Verb Agreement
The trick to mastering prepositional phrase subject-verb agreement is to identify the subject first and then determine whether it is singular or plural. The noun in the prepositional phrase should not influence the verb`s number.
If the subject is singular, use a singular verb, and if it`s plural, use a plural verb. This rule applies even when a prepositional phrase intervenes between them.
Conclusion
Proper grammar usage is crucial in writing. The prepositional phrase subject-verb agreement example can be a bit tricky, but with practice, it can be mastered. Remember to identify the subject first and then decide the verb`s number based on the subject without being influenced by the noun in the prepositional phrase. By following this simple rule, writers can improve their writing and produce clear, concise, and grammatically sound content.