Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of good writing, and it is especially important when dealing with the pronoun “each.” “Each” can be tricky because it refers to individual items in a group rather than the group as a whole, and thus it can be unclear whether the verb should be singular or plural. In this article, we`ll explore the rules for subject-verb agreement with “each” and how to apply them effectively.
Rule #1: “Each” is always singular
The first rule to remember when dealing with “each” is that it is always singular. This means that the verb that follows “each” should also be singular. For example, “Each of the students is responsible for their own homework.” Here, the verb “is” is singular because “each” is the subject of the sentence and it is singular.
Rule #2: The object of “each” does not affect the verb
The second rule to remember is that the object of “each” does not influence the verb. For example, “Each of the boys in the class are good at sports.” Here, the verb “are” is incorrect because “each” is singular. The correct sentence should be, “Each of the boys in the class is good at sports.”
Rule #3: Use “each” with a singular noun
The third rule to remember is to use “each” with a singular noun. For example, “Each book on the shelf is valuable.” Here, “book” is singular, and the verb “is” matches the singular subject.
Rule #4: Use a plural noun with “each” and a plural verb
The fourth rule to remember is to use a plural noun with “each” and a plural verb. For example, “Each of the children has their own toys.” Here, “children” is plural, and the verb “have” matches the plural subject.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement with “each” is an essential aspect of good writing. Remember that “each” is always singular, the object of “each” does not affect the verb, and to use a plural noun with “each” and a plural verb. With these rules in mind, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and effective.