Agreement of Verb with Subject Exercises: Mastering Grammar with Practice
Have you ever been confused about whether to use a plural or singular verb in a sentence? If so, you are not alone. The agreement of a verb with its subject is a common grammar mistake made by many writers. It is important to master this basic grammar rule to convey a clear message in your writing. In this article, we will discuss exercises that will help you to understand the agreement of verb with subject better.
Before we dive into exercises, let`s briefly discuss the basic rule of subject-verb agreement. The verb in a sentence should agree with its subject in number (singular or plural). For example, in the sentence “The cat chases the mouse,” the subject “cat” is singular, so the verb “chases” agrees with it. However, in the sentence “The cats chase the mice,” the subject “cats” is plural, so the verb “chase” agrees with it.
Now, let`s move on to some exercises that will test your understanding of subject-verb agreement.
Exercise 1: Identifying Agreement Errors
In this exercise, you will identify errors in the agreement of verb with subject in the following sentences.
1. The group of students are/is preparing for the exam.
2. The news from the media are/is shocking.
3. Mary, as well as her sisters, are/is going to the party.
Answer:
1. The group of students is preparing for the exam.
2. The news from the media is shocking.
3. Mary, as well as her sisters, is going to the party.
Explanation:
In the first sentence, “group” is a collective noun and is considered singular, so the verb “is” should be used. In the second sentence, “news” is a singular noun, so the verb “is” should be used. In the third sentence, “Mary” is the subject and is considered singular, so the verb “is” should be used.
Exercise 2: Converting Sentences
In this exercise, you will convert the following sentences to make the subject and verb agree.
1. The team play well together.
2. The child and his friends loves ice cream.
3. My brother and sister study math.
Answer:
1. The team plays well together.
2. The child and his friends love ice cream.
3. My brother and sister studies math.
Explanation:
In the first sentence, “team” is a collective noun, but it is treated as a singular noun, so the verb “plays” should be used. In the second sentence, “child and his friends” is a compound subject, and since it is plural, the verb “love” should be used. In the third sentence, “brother and sister” is a compound subject, but they are considered separate subjects, so the verb “studies” should be used.
Exercise 3: Completing the Sentences
In this exercise, you will complete the following sentences with the correct verb form.
1. The group of tourists ___________ a lot of pictures.
2. The choir ___________ beautifully.
3. The committee ___________ the new policy.
Answer:
1. The group of tourists takes a lot of pictures.
2. The choir sings beautifully.
3. The committee approves the new policy.
Explanation:
In the first sentence, “group” is a collective noun, and since it is singular, the verb “takes” should be used. In the second sentence, “choir” is a singular noun, so the verb “sings” should be used. In the third sentence, “committee” is a collective noun and is treated as singular, so the verb “approves” should be used.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the agreement of verb with subject can be challenging, but consistent practice can help you improve your writing skills. These exercises can help you understand the basic rule of subject-verb agreement thoroughly. By mastering this grammar rule, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.