Subject-verb agreement is an essential component of proper grammar and syntax. It ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number, which means that the verb must match the subject in terms of singular or plural status. Unfortunately, many people struggle with this fundamental rule of grammar, leading to errors that can detract from the clarity and coherence of their writing. To help remedy this problem, we`ve compiled a list of subject-verb agreement practice questions and tips to help you master this important aspect of language.

1. The basic rule of subject-verb agreement is that a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. For example:

– The cat purrs loudly. (singular subject, singular verb)

– The dogs bark loudly. (plural subject, plural verb)

2. In compound subjects joined by ”and,” the verb must be plural. For example:

– John and Sarah are going to the movies tonight. (plural subject, plural verb)

3. When a compound subject is joined by ”or” or ”nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example:

– Either the dog or the cat is responsible for knocking over the vase. (singular verb, because ”cat” is singular)

4. With collective nouns (such as ”team,” ”family,” or ”group”), the verb can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. For example:

– The team is playing well this season. (singular verb, because the team is viewed as a single entity)

– The team are celebrating their victory. (plural verb, because the individuals on the team are being highlighted)

5. Indefinite pronouns (such as ”everyone,” ”someone,” or ”anyone”) are always singular and therefore require a singular verb. For example:

– Everyone in the room is excited to hear the news. (singular verb)

6. When there are subject-verb agreement errors in a sentence, other clues in the sentence may help identify the correct verb form. For example:

– The group of employees (is/are) planning to go on strike.

The correct verb form is ”is” because ”group” is a collective noun that is singular, even though the word ”employees” is plural.

By practicing subject-verb agreement rules and paying attention to these common patterns and exceptions, you can improve your writing and avoid confusing or distracting errors. And by ensuring that your writing is clear and grammatically correct, you can better communicate your thoughts and ideas to your intended audience.