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Questions and Answers
What can cause confusion in subject-verb agreement due to their complexity or ability to change the sentence structure?
What can cause confusion in subject-verb agreement due to their complexity or ability to change the sentence structure?
Which of the following is an example of a relative clause that can affect subject-verb agreement?
Which of the following is an example of a relative clause that can affect subject-verb agreement?
What common subject-verb agreement error involves using third person singular verb endings with first or second person pronouns?
What common subject-verb agreement error involves using third person singular verb endings with first or second person pronouns?
Which situation could lead to confusion in subject-verb agreement due to introducing new information after the main clause has started?
Which situation could lead to confusion in subject-verb agreement due to introducing new information after the main clause has started?
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Why is it important to master subject-verb agreement in English?
Why is it important to master subject-verb agreement in English?
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Which verb form is correct for the sentence 'One dog and three cats ___ playing in the backyard'?
Which verb form is correct for the sentence 'One dog and three cats ___ playing in the backyard'?
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Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
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Which of the following sentences shows incorrect subject-verb agreement?
Which of the following sentences shows incorrect subject-verb agreement?
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In the sentence 'My brother with his friends ___ going to the cinema,' which verb form should fill in the blank?
In the sentence 'My brother with his friends ___ going to the cinema,' which verb form should fill in the blank?
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Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
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Study Notes
English Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement
Learning proper subject-verb agreement is one of the foundational building blocks of fluent and clear written or spoken English. With this essential skill under your belt, you'll craft sentences with clarity, confidence, and elegance.
What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement refers to how subjects and verbs must match in terms of their conjugations according to whether they represent singular or plural nouns. Here's a simple rule to keep in mind when deciding if you need singular or plural verb forms: the subject determines the verb form.
Example: Singular subject ('one dog') requires a singular verb ('loves'). One dog loves its toy. Plural subject ('three dogs') requires a plural verb ('love'). Three dogs love their toys.
Confusion can arise with compound subjects connected by 'and.' For such cases, determine the subject closest to the verb and choose the corresponding verb form accordingly.
Example: Compound subject joined by 'and' still needs a singular verb if both parts refer to the same thing or idea. The sun and moon rise together every day. (Both the sun and the moon act as one unit.) If each part refers to distinct ideas or things, use a plural verb. I like apples and bananas. (Apples and bananas are two separate fruits.)
Troublesome Pronouns and Modifiers
Some pronouns and modifying phrases may lead to confusion regarding subject-verb agreements due to their inherent complexity or ability to change the structure of the sentence.
Examples:
- Quantitative pronouns: These types of pronouns indicate quantity rather than specific countable items; take care while choosing the correct tense. There was one apple left and I ate it all. (left = singular)
- Relative clauses: Relative clauses sometimes create confusion because they introduce new information after the main clause has already begun. In these situations, check that the subject being referred to in the relative clause matches the verb correctly.
Example: My friend who studied abroad came back home last month. vs. My friends who studied abroad came back home last week.
Misconceptions and Common Errors
Incorrect subject-verb agreement often stems from misinterpreting context cues or having inconsistent usage of certain grammatical features. Some common mistakes to watch out for include using third person singular verb endings (e.g., -s, -es) with first or second person pronouns instead of base verbs (e.g., eat, walk), incorrectly forming plurals, and mixing up possessive adjectives ("its") versus contraction forms ("it's").
Remembering these rules will help prevent errors when writing or speaking in English. Mastery of subject-verb agreement ensures that readers or listeners understand exactly what you mean without getting distracted by poorly phrased sentences or unclear construction.
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Description
Master the rules of subject-verb agreement in English grammar to create clear and elegant sentences. Understand how singular and plural subjects determine verb conjugations and learn to navigate complex scenarios like compound subjects, pronouns, and modifiers.
