When it comes to grammar, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect that contributes to effective communication. One common challenge that writers face is how to handle “here and there” in subject-verb agreement.
“Here and there” are adverbs used to indicate a place or location. They don`t function as subjects in a sentence, but they do affect subject-verb agreement. Here`s what you need to know:
When “here” or “there” is used at the beginning of a sentence, it’s considered an introductory word. In this case, the verb agrees with the subject that follows “here” or “there.” For example:
Here is my book.
There are many books on the shelf.
In the first sentence, “is” agrees with “book.” In the second sentence, “are” agrees with “books.”
When the subject comes before “here” or “there,” the verb should agree with the subject, not the adverb. For example:
My book is here.
The books are there.
In these examples, “is” agrees with “book” and “are” agrees with “books.”
In some cases, “here” and “there” can also be used as pronouns. In these cases, they are the subject of the sentence, and the verb should agree with them. For example:
Here is where I’ll be this weekend.
There is a problem with this plan.
In the first sentence, “is” agrees with “here,” which is the subject. In the second sentence, “is” agrees with “there,” which is also the subject.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement requires careful attention, especially when “here and there” are involved. Remember that when “here” or “there” is used as an introductory word, the verb should agree with the subject that comes after the adverb. When the subject comes before “here” or “there,” the verb should agree with the subject, not the adverb. And finally, when “here” and “there” are used as pronouns, they act as the subject of the sentence, and the verb should agree with them. By following these guidelines, your writing will be clear, concise, and grammatically correct.
