Subject-verb agreement is one of the most essential components of English grammar. It refers to the agreement between the subject and the verb of a sentence. Correct agreement between these two elements is vital to ensure the clarity and coherence of written communication. Unfortunately, there are many common errors and misconceptions that can interfere with proper subject-verb agreement. In this article, we’ll explore one of these common errors: the use of “one of my friends.”

When we talk about a group of people, we often use the phrase “one of my friends.” This phrase works to reference a single person within a larger group, without specifying which person. It is common to see this phrase used in sentences like “One of my friends is a doctor” or “One of my friends lives in New York.” However, when it comes to subject-verb agreement, this phrase can be tricky.

The reason for this is that “one of my friends” is not the actual subject of the sentence. Instead, it is a prepositional phrase that modifies the subject. The actual subject is the noun that comes after the verb. For example, in the sentence “One of my friends is a doctor,” the subject is “doctor,” not “one of my friends.”

This means that in terms of subject-verb agreement, we need to look at the subject of the sentence, not the phrase “one of my friends.” We need to use the singular form of the verb if the subject is singular and the plural form of the verb if the subject is plural.

Let’s take a look at some examples:

– One of my friends is going to the party. (Correct)

– One of my friends are going to the party. (Incorrect)

– One of my favorite books is “To Kill a Mockingbird.” (Correct)

– One of my favorite books are “To Kill a Mockingbird.” (Incorrect)

– One of my sisters is a lawyer. (Correct)

– One of my sisters are lawyers. (Incorrect)

As you can see, it’s important to pay attention to the subject of the sentence and use the correct verb form. Misusing subject-verb agreement can lead to confusion and lack of clarity in writing.

In summary, subject-verb agreement is crucial to the clarity and coherence of your writing. When using the phrase “one of my friends,” remember that it is a prepositional phrase, not the subject of the sentence. Focus on the actual subject to ensure proper agreement with the verb. With practice and attention to detail, you can master subject-verb agreement and become a more effective communicator.