Form Sentences with Agreement: The Key to Effective Communication

Communication is key in any language, and in English, one aspect that makes communication effective, clear, and precise is agreement. In English, agreement refers to the grammatical relationship between a subject and a verb. This means that the verb used in a sentence must always agree with its subject in terms of number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).

Forming sentences with agreement is not only essential in written communication but also in verbal communication. Proper agreement allows the listener or reader to understand the message being conveyed with ease and clarity. In this article, we will delve into the importance of agreement and how it can improve communication.

Importance of Agreement

Agreement, in English, is crucial because it ensures that the message being communicated is clear and concise. If a sentence is grammatically incorrect, the listener or reader may misunderstand the intended message, causing confusion. For instance, if one says, “The dogs barks at the cat,” instead of “The dogs bark at the cat,” the listener may have a hard time understanding whether one or multiple dogs barked at the cat.

Agreement also enhances professionalism in written communication. In written communication, especially in business communication, incorrect agreement reflects poorly on the writer`s professionalism. It may even lead to misinterpretation by the reader, which could result in poor decision-making.

How to Ensure Agreement in Sentences

To ensure agreement in sentences, one must follow specific rules.

1. The verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with the subject.

For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. For example:

– The boy runs in the park. (Subject – boy; verb – runs)

– The boys run in the park. (Subject – boys; verb – run)

2. The verb must agree in person (first, second, or third) with the subject.

For instance, if the subject is first person (I), the verb must be first person (I am), and if the subject is third person (he, she, it), the verb must be third person (he, she, it is). For example:

– I am running in the park. (First person)

– He is running in the park. (Third person)

3. In a compound subject, the verb must agree with the subject closest to it.

For example:

– Pasta, along with garlic bread, is his favorite dish. (Compound subject – pasta and garlic bread; verb – is)

4. In collective nouns, the verb should agree with the noun`s sense.

For example:

– The audience was enthusiastic. (Singular sense)

– The audience were shouting. (Plural sense)

Conclusion

In conclusion, agreement is essential in English sentences to ensure clear and effective communication. Following specific rules such as ensuring that the verb agrees with the subject in number and person enhances professionalism in written communication. It is also crucial to proofread written communication to ensure that the sentences are grammatically correct, and the intended message is conveyed effectively.