A three subject verb disagreement occurs when there are three subjects in a sentence that do not agree with the verb. This type of grammatical error can be tricky to spot and correct, but it is important for effective communication.
In simple terms, a subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb in a sentence. The verb, on the other hand, is the action or state of being that is performed by the subject. In English, the subject and verb must always agree in terms of number. For example, if the subject is singular, then the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, then the verb must also be plural.
In a three subject verb disagreement, there are three subjects in the sentence and they do not agree with the verb. This can happen in various ways, such as when the subjects are of different numbers or when they are connected by conjunctions like «and» or «or». For example:
Incorrect: Mary, John, and the dog is going to the park.
Correct: Mary, John, and the dog are going to the park.
In the incorrect example above, the verb «is» does not agree with the three subjects, which are of different numbers. The correct version uses the plural verb «are» to agree with all three subjects.
Another example:
Incorrect: The cat, the bird, or the hamster is hiding under the bed.
Correct: The cat, the bird, or the hamster is hiding under the bed.
In this example, the verb «is» agrees with the singular subject «the bird». Even though there are three subjects connected by «or», the verb agrees with the closest subject, which in this case is singular.
Correcting a three subject verb disagreement may seem challenging, but there are some strategies that can help. One way is to identify the subject closest to the verb and make sure the verb agrees with it. Another way is to separate the subjects into different sentences or use a different verb tense to avoid the disagreement.
In conclusion, a three subject verb disagreement is a grammatical error that occurs when there are three subjects in a sentence that do not agree with the verb. It is important to avoid this type of mistake for effective communication and clarity. By understanding the rules of subject-verb agreement and using strategies to correct the error, writers can ensure that their sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand.