Subject-verb agreement is a crucial component of writing. It refers to the proper understanding and alignment of the verb with the subject in terms of person, tense, and number. However, this basic rule of grammar gets a little tricky when it comes to writing sentences containing the preposition “of.” In such cases, writers often get confused regarding the correct choice of verb. This article aims to discuss the subject-verb agreement after “of” and provide some essential tips to help writers avoid common mistakes.

The subject-verb agreement after “of” is determined by the subject, not the object of the preposition. This means that the verb should agree with the subject before the preposition “of,” not the noun or pronoun that follows the preposition.

For instance, consider the following sentence: “A group of students is studying for the exam.” In this sentence, the subject is “group,” which is singular, and the verb “is” agrees with it.

On the other hand, if the noun or pronoun after “of” is plural, the verb should also be plural. For instance, “A bunch of bananas are ripe.” Here, the subject is “bunch,” but the verb “are” agrees with “bananas,” which is plural.

Another common mistake is when the subject and object of the preposition are both plural. In this case, the verb should agree with the subject before the preposition. For example, “Many of the students are from different countries.” Here, “students” is the subject, which is plural, and the verb “are” agrees with it.

In some cases, the subject of the sentence comes after the preposition “of.” For instance, “The color of the walls is white.” In this sentence, the subject is “color,” which is singular, and the verb “is” agrees with it.

Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when using subject-verb agreement after “of”:

– Determine the subject before the preposition and choose the verb accordingly.

– If the object of the preposition is plural, it does not affect the subject-verb agreement.

– Be careful with the word order and choose the correct verb that agrees with the subject of the sentence.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement after “of” can be confusing, but it is essential to ensure clarity and effective communication in writing. By following the tips mentioned above, writers can avoid common mistakes and write with confidence.