Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammar rule that ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence are in agreement with each other in terms of number and person. This rule is particularly crucial in writing, as any errors in subject-verb agreement can confuse readers and diminish the clarity of your message.
One of the most common areas where writers tend to make mistakes in subject-verb agreement is with the use of dozen. While dozen may seem like a simple term, it can actually be quite tricky to use correctly in sentences.
Here are a few tips to help you correctly use dozen in your writing:
1. The noun dozen is always singular, even though it refers to twelve items. Therefore, it should always be paired with a singular verb.
Example: A dozen eggs is enough for breakfast.
2. When dozen is used with a plural noun, the verb should be plural as well.
Example: Two dozen cookies were baked for the party.
3. When dozen is used after a number, the verb should also agree with the number.
Example: Six dozen roses were delivered to the bride.
4. When dozen is used as part of a compound subject, the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
Example: The dozen eggs or the carton of milk is/are in the fridge.
Be careful not to confuse dozen with other similar-looking words, such as couple or pair. These words are treated as singular when referring to a single unit and plural when referring to multiple units.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of writing that should not be overlooked. By keeping these tips in mind when using dozen in your writing, you can ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and convey your intended meaning clearly.