Subject-verb agreement is one of the most important aspects of writing correct English. The rule states that the subject of a sentence must agree with the verb in number and person. It means that a singular subject should have a singular verb, whereas a plural subject should have a plural verb. For example, „The dog eats“ is correct, but „The dog eat“ is incorrect.

The English language is full of exceptions and irregularities that can make it challenging to master subject-verb agreement. However, the good news is that anyone can improve their grammar skills with the right practice. In this article, we will discuss a practice set that can help you improve your subject-verb agreement skills.

1. Identify the subject and verb

The first step to mastering subject-verb agreement is to identify the subject and verb in a sentence. The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action, whereas the verb is the action itself. Take a look at the following examples:

– The cat is sleeping.

– The cats are sleeping.

In the first sentence, „cat“ is the subject, and „is“ is the verb. In the second sentence, „cats“ is the subject, and „are“ is the verb.

2. Match the subject and verb in number and person

Once you have identified the subject and verb, the next step is to match them in number and person. For example:

– The cat is sleeping. (singular subject, singular verb)

– The cats are sleeping. (plural subject, plural verb)

This step is crucial because it ensures that your sentence is grammatically correct.

3. Use the correct verb tense

Another aspect of subject-verb agreement is using the correct verb tense. The verb tense indicates when the action occurred in the past, present, or future. Here are some examples:

– I am working. (present tense)

– I worked yesterday. (past tense)

– I will work tomorrow. (future tense)

The verb tense should match the subject and the situation.

Here are some practice questions to help you master subject-verb agreement:

1. She _____ (drive/drives) to work every day.

2. The dogs _____ (bark/barks) loudly.

3. My friends _____ (is/are) coming to my party tonight.

4. He _____ (has/have) a busy schedule this week.

5. The book _____ (is/are) on the shelf.

Answers:

1. drives

2. bark

3. are

4. has

5. is

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a critical aspect of writing correct English. With practice and attention to detail, anyone can improve their grammar skills. Remember to identify the subject and verb, match them in number and person, and use the correct verb tense. Use the practice questions above to help enhance your writing abilities.