Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of written English. Correctly placing verbs in sentences can make a significant difference in the readability and clarity of your message. One of the most common errors in subject-verb agreement is the use of the phrase “there were.”
When using “there were,” it is essential to remember that the subject of the sentence is not “there.” Instead, “there” acts as an adverb, and the subject follows the verb. The verb must agree with the subject of the sentence.
For example, consider the following sentence: “There were three dogs playing in the park.” The subject of this sentence is “dogs,” and “were” correctly agrees with the plural subject.
On the contrary, consider this sentence: “There were a dog playing in the park.” The use of “were” is incorrect because “dog” is a singular subject. The sentence should instead read, “There was a dog playing in the park.”
Similarly, when using “there were” with compound subjects, it is essential to match the verb with the subject`s plurality. For instance, “There were apples and oranges on the table” is the correct use, whereas “There was apples and oranges on the table” is incorrect.
It is also crucial to note that subject-verb agreement applies to all tenses. For example, consider the following sentence in the past tense: “There were many people at the concert last night.” In this sentence, “were” agrees with the plural subject “people.”
To conclude, the phrase “there were” is often used in written English, but it`s crucial to remember that it does not act as the subject of the sentence. Instead, it is an adverb that indicates the subject`s existence. To ensure correct subject-verb agreement when using “there were,” remember to match the verb with the subject`s plurality, including compound subjects, and use the appropriate tense. By following these simple rules, you can improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.
