Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?

Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?

• A. The team is ready to begin rounds.
• B. The team are ready to begin rounds.
• C. The teams is ready to begin rounds.
• D. The teams are ready to begin rounds.

Answer: (A)

Subject-verb agreement means the verb must reflect the number of the subject. The word team is a collective noun that, in standard American English, is treated as a single unit, so it takes a singular verb. The sentence using is correctly matches the subject as one unit preparing to act, so it reads smoothly and correctly: The team is ready to begin rounds. The other sentences mix numbers in a way that doesn’t align with the subject: using are after a singular team treats the group as individuals, which is less common in American usage. Pairing teams with is also a mismatch, since a plural subject should take a plural verb. The sentence with teams are would be correct if you’re talking about multiple teams, but it changes who is being described rather than simply agreeing number with the subject.

Subject-verb agreement means the verb must reflect the number of the subject. The word team is a collective noun that, in standard American English, is treated as a single unit, so it takes a singular verb. The sentence using is correctly matches the subject as one unit preparing to act, so it reads smoothly and correctly: The team is ready to begin rounds.

The other sentences mix numbers in a way that doesn’t align with the subject: using are after a singular team treats the group as individuals, which is less common in American usage. Pairing teams with is also a mismatch, since a plural subject should take a plural verb. The sentence with teams are would be correct if you’re talking about multiple teams, but it changes who is being described rather than simply agreeing number with the subject.