Agreement Subject And Verb Exercise

Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide with Exercises

Subject-verb agreement, the cornerstone of grammatical accuracy, refers to the principle that a verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. This seemingly simple rule can become surprisingly tricky, especially with complex sentence structures. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of subject-verb agreement, providing clear explanations, helpful examples, and a range of exercises to solidify your understanding. Mastering this skill will significantly enhance your writing clarity and professionalism.

Understanding the Basics: Singular and Plural Subjects

Before tackling the complexities, let's establish the fundamentals. A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Examples:

• Singular: The dog barks loudly. (Singular subject "dog," singular verb "barks")
• Plural: The dogs bark loudly. (Plural subject "dogs," plural verb "bark")

This basic rule forms the foundation for all other subject-verb agreement principles. However, many grammatical nuances can obscure this simple rule, making it essential to explore the intricacies.

Common Challenges and Exceptions in Subject-Verb Agreement

Several sentence structures and grammatical elements frequently cause confusion regarding subject-verb agreement. Let's address some of the most common challenges:

1. Intervening Phrases:

Phrases placed between the subject and the verb do not affect the verb's number. These phrases often begin with words like with, along with, as well as, in addition to, besides, and together with.

Examples:

• The teacher, along with her students, is attending the conference. ("Teacher" is the subject, not "students")
• My sister, as well as her friends, enjoys playing volleyball. ("Sister" is the subject)

2. Compound Subjects Joined by "And":

Compound subjects joined by "and" generally take a plural verb.

Examples:

• John and Mary are going to the movies.
• Apples and oranges are my favorite fruits.

Exception: When a compound subject refers to a single unit or idea, it takes a singular verb.

Examples:

• Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.
• Bacon and eggs is a classic breakfast.

3. Compound Subjects Joined by "Or" or "Nor":

When compound subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Examples:

• Neither the cats nor the dog is allowed inside.
• Either the girls or their mother is responsible.

4. Collective Nouns:

Collective nouns (e.g., group, team, family, class) can be singular or plural depending on the context. If the group acts as a unit, use a singular verb. If the members of the group act individually, use a plural verb.

Examples:

• The team is playing well. (Team acting as a unit)
• The team are arguing amongst themselves. (Members acting individually)

5. Indefinite Pronouns:

Indefinite pronouns (e.g., someone, anyone, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, each, either, neither) are always singular and take singular verbs.

Examples:

• Everyone is invited to the party.
• Each student has completed the assignment.

6. Subjects with "Every" or "Each":

Even when followed by a plural noun, subjects with "every" or "each" take a singular verb.

Examples:

• Every dog in the park needs a walk.
• Each student is responsible for their own project.

7. Inverted Sentence Structure:

In sentences with inverted word order (verb before subject), carefully identify the subject to ensure correct verb agreement.

Examples:

• There are many reasons for this. (Subject is "reasons")
• Here comes the parade. (Subject is "parade")

8. Amounts and Units of Measurement:

Amounts and units of measurement usually take a singular verb, unless they refer to multiple, distinct items.

Examples:

• Ten dollars is a fair price.
• Two kilos of apples are on the table. (Refers to two separate quantities)

9. Titles of Books, Movies, etc.:

Titles, even if plural in form, take a singular verb.

Examples:

• "The Great Gatsby" is a classic novel.
• "The Avengers" is a popular movie.

10. Plural Nouns Ending in "-s" but Singular in Meaning:

Some nouns ending in "-s" (e.g., measles, news, physics, economics) are singular and take singular verbs.

Examples:

• The news is good today.
• Physics is my favorite subject.

Subject-Verb Agreement Exercises

Now let's put your knowledge to the test with a series of exercises. Choose the correct verb form in parentheses to complete each sentence. Answers are provided at the end.

Exercise 1: Basic Subject-Verb Agreement

1. The cat (sleeps, sleep) soundly.
2. The birds (sing, sings) beautifully.
3. My friend (is, are) coming over tonight.
4. Those books (belong, belongs) to me.
5. The flowers (smell, smells) sweet.

Exercise 2: Intervening Phrases

1. The dog, along with its puppies, (is, are) adorable.
2. My sister, as well as her cousins, (enjoy, enjoys) baking.
3. The professor, together with his assistants, (is, are) grading papers.
4. The team, despite their losses, (remain, remains) optimistic.
5. The children, accompanied by their parents, (go, goes) to the park.

Exercise 3: Compound Subjects

1. John and Mary (go, goes) to school every day.
2. Bread and butter (is, are) a simple yet satisfying meal.
3. My car and my bike (need, needs) repairing.
4. The teacher and students (discuss, discusses) the lesson.
5. Rice and beans (is, are) a staple food in many cultures.

Exercise 4: "Or" and "Nor"

1. Neither the students nor the teacher (was, were) ready.
2. Either the cat or the dogs (is, are) to blame.
3. Neither my brother nor my sisters (want, wants) to go.
4. Either the sun or the clouds (obscure, obscures) the view.
5. Neither the apples nor the oranges (look, looks) ripe.

Exercise 5: Collective Nouns

1. The team (plays, play) well together.
2. The family (is, are) going on vacation.
3. The flock of birds (soar, soars) high above.
4. The committee (has, have) reached a decision.
5. The audience (is, are) applauding enthusiastically.

Exercise 6: Indefinite Pronouns

1. Everyone (is, are) welcome to attend.
2. Somebody (has, have) left their phone.
3. Each student (submits, submit) a report.
4. No one (knows, know) the answer.
5. Anyone (can, can't) apply for the job.

Exercise 7: Mixed Practice

1. The flock of geese (fly, flies) south for the winter.
2. The news about the accident (was, were) shocking.
3. Neither the dog nor the cats (eat, eats) vegetables.
4. My friend and his family (travel, travels) extensively.
5. Every child (needs, need) love and attention.

Answers to Exercises:

Exercise 1: 1. sleeps, 2. sing, 3. is, 4. belong, 5. smell

Exercise 2: 1. is, 2. enjoy, 3. is, 4. remain, 5. go

Exercise 3: 1. go, 2. is, 3. need, 4. discuss, 5. are

Exercise 4: 1. was, 2. are, 3. want, 4. obscures, 5. look

Exercise 5: 1. plays, 2. is, 3. soars, 4. has, 5. is

Exercise 6: 1. is, 2. has, 3. submits, 4. knows, 5. can

Exercise 7: 1. fly, 2. was, 3. eat, 4. travel, 5. needs

Further Practice and Resources

Consistent practice is key to mastering subject-verb agreement. Seek out additional grammar exercises online or in workbooks. Pay close attention to the subject of every sentence you write or read, and actively check for agreement with the verb. Remember to consult grammar guides and online resources for further clarification on complex cases. The more you practice, the more intuitive subject-verb agreement will become.

Conclusion: The Importance of Accuracy

Mastering subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear and effective communication, both in written and spoken English. While the rules might initially appear challenging, with consistent practice and a clear understanding of the core principles, you can achieve grammatical accuracy and significantly enhance your writing proficiency. The effort invested in honing this skill is undoubtedly worthwhile, contributing to the overall quality and impact of your communication. Remember that precise grammar is a mark of professionalism and credibility in any written work. By dedicating time to mastering subject-verb agreement, you are investing in your communication skills and overall success.