In the English language, subject-verb agreement is a vital grammatical rule that helps maintain clarity and accuracy in communication. ESL learners often encounter challenges in this area. In fact, some native speakers even have trouble getting the rules right. Hence, mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for effective language proficiency. In this article, we will explore the principles of subject-verb agreement, discuss common pitfalls, and provide strategies to help ESL learners ensure that their subjects and verbs match seamlessly. We’ll even provide exercises to help test your knowledge.
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that states a singular subject must be paired with a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb. This agreement helps create grammatically sound and coherent sentences.
Identifying the Subject and Verb:
The Subject: The subject is the main noun or pronoun that performs the action or is the focus of the sentence. It can be singular or plural.
The Verb: The verb is the action word in the sentence that conveys what the subject is doing or experiencing. Like the subject, the verb should be in agreement in terms of singular or plural form.
Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement:
Singular Subjects and Singular Verbs:
When the subject is singular, the verb must be singular as well.
Example: “The cat jumps over the fence.”
Practice Questions:
- The dog _______ (barks/bark) at strangers.
- The sun _______ (shines/shine) brightly in the sky.
- The book _______ (has/have) an interesting storyline.
- The child _______ (plays/play) with his toys.
- The car _______ (runs/run) smoothly on the highway.
Answer Key
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- barks
- shines
- has
- plays
- runs
Explanation:
- The singular subject “dog” requires the singular verb form “barks.”
- The singular subject “sun” requires the singular verb form “shines.”
- The singular subject “book” requires the singular verb form “has.”
- The singular subject “child” requires the singular verb form “plays.”
- The singular subject “car” requires the singular verb form “runs.”
Singular subjects require singular verbs.
Plural Subjects and Plural Verbs:
When the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
Example: “The cats jump over the fence.”
Practice Questions.
- The children _______ (play/plays) in the park.
- The birds _______ (sing/sings) melodiously in the trees.
- The students _______ (study/studies) together in the library.
- The flowers _______ (bloom/blooms) beautifully in the garden.
- The teams _______ (compete/competes) in the championship.
Answer Key
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- play
- sing
- study
- bloom
- compete
Explanation:
- The plural subject “children” requires the plural verb form “play.”
- The plural subject “birds” requires the plural verb form “sing.”
- The plural subject “students” requires the plural verb form “study.”
- The plural subject “flowers” requires the plural verb form “bloom.”
- The plural subject “teams” requires the plural verb form “compete.”
Plural subjects require plural verbs.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns:
Some indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone” or “someone,” are singular and require a singular verb.
Example: “Everyone wants to succeed.”
Practice Questions:
- Everyone _______ (wants/want) to succeed.
- Somebody _______ (has/have) left their bag on the bus.
- Nobody _______ (knows/know) the answer to the question.
- Each _______ (brings/bring) their own lunch to work.
- Somebody _______ (is/are) knocking on the door.
Answer Key
Click to view answers.
- wants
- has
- knows
- brings
- is
Explanation:
- The singular indefinite pronoun “everyone” requires the singular verb form “wants.”
- The singular indefinite pronoun “somebody” requires the singular verb form “has.” Although the pronoun “their” is used, it is considered an informal use to avoid gender-specific pronouns.
- The singular indefinite pronoun “nobody” requires the singular verb form “knows.”
- The singular indefinite pronoun “each” requires the singular verb form “brings.” Although the pronoun “their” is used, it is considered an informal use to avoid gender-specific pronouns.
- The singular indefinite pronoun “somebody” requires the singular verb form “is.”
Singular indefinite pronouns require singular verb forms.
Compound Subjects:
When two or more subjects are connected by “and,” they form a plural subject that requires a plural verb.
Example: “John and Sarah are going to the party.”
Practice Questions:
- John and Sarah _______ (are/is) going to the party.
- The cat and the dog _______ (play/plays) together in the yard.
- Apples and oranges _______ (are/is) fruits.
- My brother and I _______ (like/likes) to play basketball.
- The sun and the moon _______ (shine/shines) in the sky.
Answer Key
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- are
- play
- are
- like
- shine
Explanation:
- The compound subject “John and Sarah” is plural, so it requires the plural verb form “are.”
- The compound subject “the cat and the dog” is plural, so it requires the plural verb form “play.”
- The compound subject “apples and oranges” is plural, so it requires the plural verb form “are.”
- The compound subject “my brother and I” is plural, so it requires the plural verb form “like.”
- The compound subject “the sun and the moon” is plural, so it requires the plural verb form “shine.”
Compound subjects usually take a plural verb form, unless they convey a single idea or refer to the same person or thing.
Compound Subjects with Singular Meaning:
When two or more subjects are connected by “and” but convey a single idea or refer to the same person, they form a singular subject that requires a singular verb.
Example: “Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.”
Practice Questions:
- Bread and butter _______ (go/goes) well together.
- The sunflower and the rose _______ (blooms/bloom) beautifully in the garden.
- The pen and the paper _______ (is/are) essential for writing.
- The book and the movie _______ (has/have) the same storyline.
- The coffee and the tea _______ (is/are) served hot.
Answer Key
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- goes
- blooms
- is
- has
- is
Explanation:
- The compound subject “bread and butter” is treated as a singular unit, so it requires the singular verb form “goes.”
- The compound subject “the sunflower and the rose” is treated as a singular unit, so it requires the singular verb form “blooms.”
- The compound subject “the pen and the paper” is treated as a singular unit, so it requires the singular verb form “is.”
- The compound subject “the book and the movie” is treated as a singular unit, so it requires the singular verb form “has.”
- The compound subject “the coffee and the tea” is treated as a singular unit, so it requires the singular verb form “is.”
Compound subjects with singular meanings usually take a singular verb form, as they are considered a single unit or concept.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid:
Subject-Verb Disagreement with Intervening Phrases:
Be careful with phrases that come between the subject and verb. The subject-verb agreement should remain unaffected.
Example: “The book, along with its sequels, is popular.”
Practice Questions:
- The cat, along with its kittens, _______ (is/are) playing in the garden.
- The book, as well as the pen, _______ (belongs/belong) to me.
- The car, accompanied by its driver, _______ (is/are) parked outside.
- The students, together with their teacher, _______ (is/are) going on a field trip.
- The dog, along with its owner, _______ (enjoys/enjoy) long walks in the park.
Answer Key
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- is
- belongs
- is
- is
- enjoys
Explanation:
- The subject “the cat” is singular, so it requires the singular verb form “is.” The phrase “along with its kittens” is an intervening phrase and does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
- The subject “the book” is singular, so it requires the singular verb form “belongs.” The phrase “as well as the pen” is an intervening phrase and does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
- The subject “the car” is singular, so it requires the singular verb form “is.” The phrase “accompanied by its driver” is an intervening phrase and does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
- The subject “the students” is plural, so it requires the plural verb form “are.” The phrase “together with their teacher” is an intervening phrase and does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
- The subject “the dog” is singular, so it requires the singular verb form “enjoys.” The phrase “along with its owner” is an intervening phrase and does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
Intervening phrases do not change the subject-verb agreement, and the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
Collective Nouns:
Collective nouns, such as “team” or “family,” can be singular or plural depending on the context.
Example: “The team is training for the championship” (singular) or “The team are arguing among themselves” (plural).
Practice Questions:
- The team _______ (is/are) practicing for the upcoming match.
- The committee _______ (has/have) reached a decision.
- The audience _______ (enjoys/enjoy) the live performance.
- The staff _______ (is/are) attending a training session.
- The jury _______ (deliberates/deliberate) on the verdict.
Answer Key
Click to view answers.
- is
- has
- enjoys
- is
- deliberates
Explanation:
- The collective noun “team” is treated as a singular unit, so it requires the singular verb form “is.”
- The collective noun “committee” is treated as a singular unit, so it requires the singular verb form “has.”
- The collective noun “audience” is treated as a singular unit, so it requires the singular verb form “enjoys.”
- The collective noun “staff” is treated as a singular unit, so it requires the singular verb form “is.”
- The collective noun “jury” is treated as a singular unit, so it requires the singular verb form “deliberates.”
Collective nouns can be treated as singular or plural, depending on the context, but they often take a singular verb form.
Indefinite Pronouns:
Some indefinite pronouns, such as “some,” “all,” or “most,” can be either singular or plural depending on the context.
Example: “Some of the cake has been eaten” (singular) or “Some of the students are late” (plural).
Practice Questions:
- Someone _______ (is/are) waiting for you at the entrance.
- Each of the students _______ (has/have) completed the assignment.
- Nobody _______ (knows/know) the answer to that question.
- Everybody _______ (needs/need) to bring their own lunch.
- Either of the options _______ (is/are) acceptable.
Answer Key
Click to view answers.
- is
- has
- knows
- needs
- is
Explanation:
- The indefinite pronoun “someone” is singular, so it requires the singular verb form “is.”
- The phrase “each of the students” indicates singular meaning, so it requires the singular verb form “has.”
- The indefinite pronoun “nobody” is singular, so it requires the singular verb form “knows.”
- The indefinite pronoun “everybody” is singular, so it requires the singular verb form “needs.” Although the pronoun “their” is used, it is considered an informal use to avoid gender-specific pronouns.
- The phrase “either of the options” indicates singular meaning, so it requires the singular verb form “is.”
Indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural, and the verb should agree with the number of the pronoun.
Strategies to Ensure Subject-Verb Agreement:
- Identify the subject and verb in each sentence.
- Pay attention to the number (singular or plural) of the subject.
- Determine the appropriate form (singular or plural) of the verb.
- Practice by constructing sentences and focusing on subject-verb agreement.
- Review and revise written work to ensure subject-verb agreement is maintained.
Mastering subject-verb agreement is crucial for ESL learners seeking to enhance their English language skills. By understanding the basic rules and common pitfalls, learners can ensure that their subjects
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