Subject-verb agreement is a vital aspect of the English language. It refers to the matching of the subject with the appropriate verb form, depending on its number and person. Relative pronouns are words that are used to introduce dependent clauses in a sentence. They are essential in making the meaning of a sentence clear and concise. However, they can also be a source of confusion for writers, especially when it comes to subject-verb agreement. In this article, we will provide examples of correct subject-verb agreement with relative pronouns.
Relative pronouns include words such as who, whom, whose, that, and which. They are used to introduce clauses that specify the noun or noun phrase that precedes it. When using a relative pronoun, it is essential to match the verb with the subject in the dependent clause. Here are some examples of correct subject-verb agreement with relative pronouns:
1. The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
In this example, the subject is « the woman, » and the verb is « is. » The relative pronoun « who » refers to the woman and is the subject of the dependent clause.
2. The employees that work in this department are all experienced.
Here, the subject is « the employees, » and the verb is « are. » The relative pronoun « that » refers to the employees and is the subject of the dependent clause.
3. The book, which is on the table, belongs to my sister.
In this case, the subject is « the book, » and the verb is « belongs. » The relative pronoun « which » refers to the book and is not the subject of the dependent clause. Therefore, the verb agrees with the subject « book. »
4. The teacher whose class I am in is very supportive.
Here, the subject is « the teacher, » and the verb is « is. » The relative pronoun « whose » refers to the teacher and is not the subject of the dependent clause.
5. The person whom I met last night was very friendly.
In this sentence, the subject is « the person, » and the verb is « was. » The relative pronoun « whom » refers to the person and is not the subject of the dependent clause.
In conclusion, it is essential to use correct subject-verb agreement when using relative pronouns in a sentence. The key is to match the verb with the subject in the dependent clause, and not with the relative pronoun. Understanding and implementing proper subject-verb agreement will result in clear and understandable writing, making your writing more effective and professional.