Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of grammar that ensures the accuracy and clarity of a sentence. It is essential to understand the relationship between subjects and verbs to avoid confusion and ambiguity in writing. As a professional, I have come across several subject-verb agreement exercises that can help writers enhance their writing skills.
First, it is crucial to note that the subject of a sentence must agree with the verb in number. For instance, a singular subject requires a singular verb, whereas a plural subject requires a plural verb. One of the most common mistakes writers make is treating collective nouns as singular. For example, the team is going to the championship. In this sentence, the collective noun « team » is singular, and it should take a singular verb « is. »
Another common mistake is subject-verb disagreement in sentences with compound subjects. A compound subject is a subject that comprises two or more nouns, usually joined by conjunctions such as « and. » In such cases, the verb should be plural. For example, Jane and Jack are attending the conference.
Additionally, subject-verb disagreement can occur when the subject is a third-person pronoun. In such cases, it is essential to consider the gender of the noun. For example, She is going to the gym, and He is going to the library.
Here are some subject-verb agreement exercises that can help writers improve their writing skills:
1. Rewrite the following sentences, correcting the subject-verb disagreement.
a. The group of students were noisy in the cafeteria.
b. The chocolates that I bought for Valentine`s Day was expensive.
c. Our family loves to travel internationally.
2. Choose the correct verb that agrees with the subject in each sentence.
a. The cat (likes, like) to chase mice.
b. The cars (is, are) parked outside.
c. The teacher (teaches, teach) English and History.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is crucial in effective writing. As a professional, I recommend writers to practice subject-verb agreement exercises to improve their writing skills. By mastering this grammar rule, writers can produce error-free content that communicates their ideas accurately and clearly.
