Subject-verb agreement is an essential part of English grammar, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring that a sentence is grammatically correct and easy to comprehend. One of the most common issues that arise in relation to subject-verb agreement is the confusion between using “need” or “needs” in a sentence.

In most cases, the choice between “need” and “needs” depends on the subject of the sentence. If the subject is singular, then the verb “needs” should be used. If the subject is plural, then the verb “need” should be used. For example:

– “She needs to finish her work before leaving the office.”

– “The team needs to work together to complete the project.”

In the first example, the subject “she” is singular, and hence the verb “needs” is used. In the second example, the subject “team” is plural, and hence the verb “need” is used.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, when referring to a collective noun, the verb “needs” can be used even if the subject is plural. For example:

– “The committee needs to make a decision.”

In this sentence, the subject “committee” is a collective noun, and hence the verb “needs” is used even though the subject is plural.

Another exception is when using the word “everyone” or “everybody,” which are singular subjects and require the verb “needs.” For example:

– “Everybody needs to be present at the meeting tomorrow.”

Lastly, when using the word “there” as a subject, the verb “needs” is always used regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. For example:

– “There needs to be a change in the company`s policies.”

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is crucial in ensuring that a sentence is grammatically correct. The choice between “need” and “needs” depends on the subject of the sentence. If the subject is singular, then the verb “needs” should be used, and if the subject is plural, then the verb “need” should be used. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as when using collective nouns, “everyone” or “everybody,” or “there” as a subject. As a professional, it is essential to be aware of such exceptions to ensure the article`s grammatical accuracy and readability.