English Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz

English Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures sentences are structured correctly, making them easier to read and understand. It's a simple principle that reflects the relationship between the subject and the verb within a sentence. Let's dive into the essentials of subject-verb agreement.

Subjects and Verbs

The subject is the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs the action or is the focus of the sentence. The verb expresses the action or the state of being that the subject performs or is in.

Agreement Rules

1. Singular subject + singular verb: "She dances."
2. Plural subject + plural verb: "My friends are at the mall."
3. Singular subject + plural verb: Not permitted in standard English. (However, there are a few set expressions, such as "One can never tell," or "One must always be on time.")

Subjects and Verbs in Action

1. Singular Subjects:

   • I see the sunrise every morning.
   • The book is interesting.
   • She has two cats.

2. Plural Subjects:

   • My friends are going to the park.
   • The chairs are in the living room.
   • The cats love to nap on the windowsill.

Irregular Verbs

Some verbs do not follow the expected pattern for adding "s" to the end of the third person singular form to indicate the third person singular present tense. Instead, they have irregular forms. Examples include:

• Go → goes
• Drink → drinks
• Eat → eats
• See → sees

Special Cases

1. Collective Nouns: These nouns refer to a group, such as "team," "class," or "family." They can be singular or plural depending on context. Examples:

   • The team plays every Sunday. (singular subject)
   • The team members are excited about the game. (plural subject)

2. Indefinite Pronouns: These pronouns take singular or plural verb forms based on their antecedents. Examples:

   • Each of the students brings a book. (plural subject)
   • Some of the students went to the store. (plural subject)

Subject-Verb Agreement and Punctuation

Avoid errors in subject-verb agreement by ensuring that punctuation does not create a false subject or verb. For example, do not write:

• "The cake is delicious, it has five layers."

Instead, write:

• "The cake is delicious; it has five layers."

Subject-verb agreement is a cornerstone of written and spoken English, and its mastery will help you to communicate your thoughts more effectively. Keep practicing, and you'll develop a deeper understanding of this essential grammar concept.