Subject-verb agreement is a crucial part of writing that is often overlooked. It is especially important when it comes to using the quantifier “every” because it can be a bit tricky. In this article, we will discuss how to properly use “every” to ensure subject-verb agreement.
Firstly, it is important to understand what subject-verb agreement means. Essentially, it means that the verb in a sentence must agree with the subject in terms of number and person. For example, if the subject is singular, then the verb should also be singular. If the subject is plural, then the verb should be plural as well.
When it comes to using “every,” the subject becomes a bit more complicated. “Every” is a singular quantifier, which means it is always followed by a singular noun. This means that the verb used after “every” should also be singular, regardless of how many objects or people are being referred to.
For example, consider the sentence, “Every dog and cat in the shelter needs a home.” In this sentence, “every” is followed by two nouns, “dog” and “cat.” However, because “every” is singular, the verb “needs” is also singular. The correct sentence would be, “Every dog and cat in the shelter needs a home.”
Another example is, “Every student in the classroom has their own desk.” In this sentence, “every” is followed by the noun “student.” Even though “student” is singular, the use of “their” implies that there may be more than one student. However, the verb “has” is still singular because “every” remains the subject, and it is singular.
It is also important to note that “every” cannot be used with plural nouns. For example, it would be incorrect to say, “Every dogs in the park need exercise.” The correct sentence would be, “All dogs in the park need exercise.”
In addition, when using “every” with a compound subject, it is important to make sure that both nouns are singular. For example, “Every bread and butter recipe is unique.” Here, both “bread” and “butter” are singular, so the verb “is” is also singular.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial part of writing, especially when using “every.” Remember that “every” is a singular quantifier, and it should always be followed by a singular noun. By keeping this rule in mind, you can ensure that your writing is always accurate and grammatically correct.
