Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement for English Tests

Introduction

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammar rule in English that ensures the subject and verb in a sentence match in number (singular or plural).
This rule is crucial for proper sentence construction and is a common area of focus in English grammar tests and assessments.
In this guide, we will explore the key principles of subject-verb agreement, common mistakes, and provide practical exercises to help you master this concept for your English tests.

Singular Subjects: A singular subject takes a singular verb. Example: The cat runs fast.
Plural Subjects: A plural subject takes a plural verb. Example: The cats run fast.
Rule: A subject must agree with its verb in number. This means that a singular subject should have a singular verb and a plural subject should have a plural verb.

Rule 1: If the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. Example: She reads every day.
Rule 2: If the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural. Example: They read every day.
Rule 3: When using "and" to join two subjects, the verb is usually plural. Example: Tom and Jerry are best friends.
Rule 4: When using "or" or "nor" to join two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. Example: Either the teacher or the students are responsible.

Compound Subjects: When two singular subjects are joined by "and," they take a plural verb, but when two singular subjects are joined by "or," the verb agrees with the second subject. Example: The teacher and the student are here.
Example: Neither the teacher nor the students are here.
Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (team, family, audience) may take either a singular or plural verb depending on the context. Example: The team is playing well.
Example: The team are wearing their jerseys.
Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns like "everyone," "someone," and "nobody" are treated as singular subjects and take singular verbs. Example: Everyone is invited to the party.
Words Between Subject and Verb: Words like "along with," "as well as," and "together with" do not affect subject-verb agreement. The verb still agrees with the main subject. Example: The manager, along with the employees, is here.

Tip 1: Always identify the subject and verb in the sentence. Look for the main subject and ensure that it matches the verb in terms of number.
Tip 2: Pay attention to compound subjects. When two subjects are joined by "and," use a plural verb, but if "or" or "nor" is used, match the verb with the subject closer to it.
Tip 3: Be cautious with collective nouns and indefinite pronouns. These can be tricky, so always check the context to ensure the correct verb form.
Tip 4: Read your sentence out loud to check if it sounds natural. This can often help identify subject-verb agreement issues.

Everyone in the class have completed their assignments. Correct Answer: Everyone in the class has completed their assignments.
The team are ready for the match. Correct Answer: The team is ready for the match.

The company and its employees is working hard to meet the deadline. Is there a mistake? Yes, the verb should be are instead of is because of the compound subject.

Practice 1: Write sentences using collective nouns and indefinite pronouns. Ensure the subject-verb agreement is correct in each sentence.
Practice 2: Correct the following sentence: "The family is all together for the holidays, but the relatives are coming tomorrow."

Subject-verb agreement is a critical part of grammar that can significantly impact the clarity and correctness of your writing.
By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure your writing is grammatically accurate.
Continue to review the rules and engage in practice exercises to improve your subject-verb agreement skills for English tests and other writing tasks.