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3 Chapter 2nd : Grammar Fundamentals.

Topic 2nd : Sentence Structure (Subject-verb Agreement and

Word Order)
3.1 Importance of Sentence Structure:
Grammar is the set of rules and principles that govern the structure and usage
of a language. It encompasses the syntax (the arrangement of words and phrases to
create well-formed sentences), morphology (the structure of words and how they are
formed), semantics (the meaning conveyed by words and sentences), and phonology
(the sound system of a language). Grammar provides the framework for
communication, enabling individuals to express themselves effectively and
understand others within a linguistic community. It also helps establish clarity,
coherence, and consistency in written and spoken language.
• Clarity: Proper sentence structure ensures clarity in communication. Clear
sentences are easier to understand, reducing the risk of misinterpretation or
confusion. Well-structured sentences make it clear who or what is performing
the action and what is being acted upon.
• Coherence: Sentence structure aids in maintaining coherence in writing.
Coherent sentences follow a logical flow of ideas, making it easier for readers to
follow the writer's train of thought. Properly structured sentences help connect
ideas and maintain consistency throughout the text.
• Emphasis: Sentence structure can be used to emphasize certain ideas or points.
By placing key information at the beginning or end of a sentence or using
techniques like parallelism, writers can draw attention to important concepts
and make their writing more persuasive.
• Variety and Interest: Varying sentence structure keeps writing engaging and
prevents monotony. Mixing up sentence lengths and styles adds rhythm and flow
to the text, capturing the reader's interest and maintaining engagement.
• Grammar and Syntax: Correct sentence structure adheres to the rules of
grammar and syntax. This ensures that writing is grammatically sound,
enhancing credibility and professionalism. Proper grammar and syntax also
contribute to the readability and overall quality of the writing.
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3 • Audience Consideration: Sentence structure can be tailored to suit the
intended audience. Adjusting sentence complexity, length, and style based on the
reader's knowledge and preferences ensures that the message is effectively
communicated and understood.
• Conciseness: Well-structured sentences promote conciseness by eliminating
unnecessary words and phrases. Clear and concise sentences convey
information efficiently, preventing redundancy and improving overall
readability.
• Impact: Effective sentence structure can enhance the impact of writing, making
it more memorable and persuasive. Well-crafted sentences can evoke emotions,
provoke thought, and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

3.2 Sentence Structure Basics:

A basic sentence typically consists of a subject, a verb, and sometimes an object.
A sentence typically includes a subject that performs the action (or is in a certain
state), a verb that describes the action or state, and sometimes an object that receives
the action. Here's a breakdown of each component:

1. Subject: The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the
sentence is about. It performs the action described by the verb. For example, in
the sentence "John eats apples," "John" is the subject because he is the one
performing the action of eating.
2. Verb: The verb is the action or state of being that the subject performs. It
expresses what the subject is doing or the condition it is in. In the sentence "John
eats apples," the verb is "eats," indicating the action performed by John.
3. Object: The object is the person or thing affected by the action of the verb. Not
all sentences have objects, but when they do, they usually follow the verb. In the
sentence "John eats apples," "apples" is the object because it receives the action
of being eaten by John.
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3.3 Subject-Verb Agreement:
Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that ensures that the subject and
the verb in a sentence match in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second,
or third person). This agreement is crucial for maintaining clarity and grammatical
correctness in writing. When the subject and verb do not agree in number or person,
it can lead to grammatically incorrect sentences that may confuse the reader. Paying
attention to subject-verb agreement helps maintain clarity and coherence in writing.
Here's a breakdown of how subject-verb agreement works:

1. Number Agreement: The subject and verb must agree in number. If the subject
is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be
plural. For example:
• Singular subject: "The cat is sleeping."
• Plural subject: "The cats are sleeping."
2. Person Agreement: The subject and verb must also agree in person. This means
that the form of the verb should match the person of the subject. For example:
• First person singular (I): "I am going to the store."
• Second person singular (you): "You are going to the store."
• Third person singular (he/she/it): "She eats breakfast every morning."

3.4 Common Errors in Subject-Verb Agreement:

Errors in subject-verb agreement often occur with collective nouns, indefinite
pronouns, and compound subjects. Errors in subject-verb agreement with these types
of nouns, pronouns, and subjects often occur when writers fail to correctly identify
whether the subject is singular or plural, leading to awkward or grammatically
incorrect sentences. It's important to carefully consider the number and context of the
subject to ensure proper agreement with the verb. Let's explore each of these cases:

1. Collective Nouns: Collective nouns refer to groups of people, animals, or things as

a single unit. Examples include "team," "family," "jury," "audience," and
"government." While these nouns represent a singular entity, they can sometimes
take a singular or plural verb depending on context:
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3 • Singular verb: "The team is practicing for the match."
• Plural verb: "The team are divided in their opinions."

2. Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns are words like "everyone," "somebody,"

"anyone," "nobody," "each," "neither," and "either." These pronouns can be singular or
plural depending on the context:
• Singular verb: "Everyone wants to succeed."
• Plural verb: "Somebody left their umbrella behind."

3. Compound Subjects: Compound subjects are formed when two or more subjects
are joined by a conjunction such as "and," "or," or "nor." The verb should agree with
the number of the compound subject:
• Singular compound subject: "Bread and butter is his favourite breakfast."
• Plural compound subject: "Apples and oranges are delicious fruits."

3.5 Common Errors in Subject-Verb Agreement:

Ensuring subject-verb agreement is crucial for maintaining grammatical
correctness and clarity in writing. By applying these strategies, you can effectively
ensure agreement between subjects and verbs in your writing, thereby enhancing
clarity and grammatical correctness. Here are some strategies to help you ensure
agreement between subjects and verbs:

• Identify the Subject: Clearly identify the subject of the sentence. Sometimes, the
subject can be obscured by intervening phrases or clauses, so it's important to
pinpoint the actual subject that the verb should agree with.
• Understand Singular vs. Plural Subjects: Determine whether the subject is
singular or plural. This is essential for choosing the correct form of the verb.
Remember that singular subjects take singular verbs, while plural subjects take
plural verbs.
• Beware of Tricky Cases: Pay special attention to collective nouns, indefinite
pronouns, and compound subjects, as these can sometimes lead to errors in
subject-verb agreement. Be aware of their singular or plural nature and choose
the appropriate verb accordingly.
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3 • Check for Agreement Across Long Sentences: In complex or compound
sentences, ensure that the subject and verb still agree, especially when there are
intervening phrases or clauses between them.
• Listen for Agreement in Spoken Language: Sometimes, errors in subject-verb
agreement are more noticeable when sentences are spoken aloud. Listening to
the sentence can help you identify any awkward or incorrect verb forms.
• Use Parallel Structure: When dealing with compound subjects joined by "and,"
ensure that both subjects are in the same form (either both singular or both
plural), and choose the verb accordingly.
• Be Consistent with Proximity: When dealing with subjects connected by "or"
or "nor," the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
• Consider the Context: Sometimes, the context of the sentence can help you
determine whether a subject should be treated as singular or plural. Consider
the meaning of the sentence and whether it refers to a singular or plural entity.

3.6 Word Order in Sentences:

Word order refers to the specific arrangement of words in a sentence or phrase
to convey meaning. Understanding word order is essential for effective
communication because it helps ensure clarity and comprehension. Writers and
speakers must use appropriate word order to convey their intended meaning
accurately.

Different languages have different word orders, and even within the same
language, word order can vary based on context, emphasis, or stylistic preferences.

In English, the typical word order in a simple declarative sentence is subject-

verb-object (SVO). For example:

"She (subject) eats (verb) apples (object)."

However, word order can change depending on the type of sentence or the emphasis
placed on certain elements. For example, in interrogative sentences (questions), the
word order is often inverted, with the verb coming before the subject:
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"Does (verb) she (subject) eat apples?"
In imperative sentences (commands), the subject is often implied and the verb comes
first:

"Eat (verb) your (implied subject) apples!"

In languages like Latin, German, or Japanese, word order can be more flexible due to
the inflection of nouns and verbs. In others, like Chinese, word order plays a critical
role in conveying meaning since it lacks inflections.

3.7 Variations in Word Order:

Variations in word order occur across languages and even within the same
language based on context, emphasis, and style. Understanding these variations in
word order is essential for language learners and translators to accurately interpret
and produce sentences in different languages. Additionally, writers and speakers can
use variations in word order to convey emphasis, style, and nuanced meaning in their
communication. Here are some common variations in word order:

Subject-Verb-Object (SVO): This is the most common word order in English and
many other languages. The subject typically precedes the verb, and the object follows
the verb.

Examples:

• She (subject) eats (verb) apples (object).

• The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object).
• She (subject) read (verb) a book (object) yesterday.
• John (subject) ate (verb) the pizza (object) for dinner.
• They (subject) watched (verb) a movie (object) last night.
• The teacher (subject) explained (verb) the lesson (object) to the students.
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3.8 Importance of Word Order:
Word order is fundamental to effective communication in language. It serves as
the structural backbone of sentences, enabling clarity, coherence, and precise
expression of ideas across different linguistic contexts. Word order is a powerful tool
in the writer's arsenal, allowing for the nuanced expression of ideas and facilitating
effective communication. Writers must carefully consider word order to convey their
intended meaning, emphasize key points, maintain clarity, and craft their unique style.

1. Emphasis: Word order can be manipulated to emphasize certain elements of a

sentence. Placing important words or phrases at the beginning or end of a sentence
draws attention to them, highlighting their significance. For example:
• Original: "The dog chased the cat."
• Emphasizing the dog: "It was the dog that chased the cat."
• Emphasizing the cat: "The cat was chased by the dog."

2. Clarity: Proper word order ensures clarity by organizing information in a logical

and comprehensible manner. When words are arranged appropriately, readers can
easily grasp the intended meaning of the sentence. For example:

• Original: "The students submitted their assignments before the deadline."

• Confusing word order: "Before the deadline, the students submitted their
assignments."

3. Style: Word order contributes to the overall style and tone of writing. Writers can
manipulate word order to create a specific rhythm, flow, or mood in their prose.
Variation in word order adds richness and complexity to the writing, making it more
engaging for the reader. For example:
• Original: "She walked gracefully through the garden, admiring the vibrant
flowers."
• Altered for a different style: "Through the garden, admiring the vibrant flowers,
she walked gracefully."

4. Meaning Alteration: Changing word order can indeed alter the meaning or focus
within a sentence. Even a subtle rearrangement of words can result in a significant
shift in interpretation. For example:
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3 • Original: "John only likes Mary."
• Changed word order: "Only John likes Mary." (implies that John is the sole person
who likes Mary)
• Changed emphasis: "John likes only Mary." (implies that John likes Mary
exclusively)

3.9 Common Errors in Word Order:

Errors in subject-verb agreement frequently arise with collective nouns,
indefinite pronouns, and compound subjects. Errors in subject-verb agreement with
these types of nouns, pronouns, and subjects often occur when writers overlook the
nuances of agreement rules or fail to consider the context of the sentence. Being
mindful of these common pitfalls can help writers avoid errors and ensure
grammatical accuracy in their writing. Let's delve into each of these cases:

1. Collective Nouns: Collective nouns refer to groups of people, animals, or things

treated as a single unit. Examples include "team," "family," "jury," "audience," and
"government." While these nouns are singular in form, they can take a singular or
plural verb depending on the context:

• Singular verb: "The team is playing well."

• Plural verb: "The team are arguing among themselves."

2. Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific people or things.

Examples include "everyone," "someone," "anyone," "nobody," "each," "either," and
"neither." The verb must agree with the number of the indefinite pronoun:

• Singular verb: "Everyone is invited to the party."

• Plural verb: "Somebody left their keys on the table."

3. Compound Subjects: Compound subjects are formed when two or more subjects
are joined by a conjunction such as "and," "or," or "nor." The verb should agree with
the number of the compound subject:

• Singular subject: "Bread and butter is his favorite breakfast."

• Plural subject: "Apples and oranges are delicious fruits."
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3.10 Strategies for Effective Word Order:
Here are excellent strategies for effective word order in writing. By
incorporating these strategies into their writing, authors can optimize word order to
enhance clarity, coherence, emphasis, and overall effectiveness of their prose. Let's
explore each of them in more detail:

1. Consider the natural flow of ideas and the intended emphasis: When
arranging words in a sentence, it's essential to consider the natural flow of ideas and
the intended emphasis. Start with the most crucial information and arrange
subsequent elements in a logical sequence that guides the reader through the text.
Consider the order in which information should be presented to ensure clarity and
coherence.

2. Place important information at the beginning or end of a sentence for

emphasis: Positioning important information at the beginning or end of a sentence
can draw attention to it and emphasize its significance. This technique helps to
ensure that key points stand out and are easily noticed by the reader. By strategically
placing crucial information, writers can effectively control the reader's focus and
enhance the impact of their writing.

3. Use parallel structure for coherence and clarity: Parallel structure, also
known as parallelism, involves using the same grammatical structure for similar
elements within a sentence or across multiple sentences. This technique enhances
coherence and clarity by making it easier for readers to follow the writer's train of
thought. Parallel structure can be applied to elements such as phrases, clauses, lists,
and comparisons. Consistent use of parallel structure helps to maintain rhythm,
balance, and symmetry in writing, thereby improving readability and
comprehension.