Subject-Verb Agreement: Style and Usage

In English grammar, subject-verb agreement is a crucial concept. It ensures that the verb in a sentence agrees in number with the subject. In simpler terms, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well. Let’s delve into this topic further to understand it better.

Understanding Singular and Plural Subjects:

A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or idea. Examples include “the cat,” “my friend,” or “the book.”

A plural subject refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. Examples include “the cats,” “my friends,” or “the books.”

Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement:

1.  Singular Subjects and Verbs: When the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. For example:
   • The cat is sleeping.
   • My friend likes pizza.
   • The book belongs to me.
2.  Plural Subjects and Verbs: When the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. For example:
   • The cats are playing.
   • My friends enjoy singing.
   • The books are on the shelf.
3.  Exceptions:
   • When using certain pronouns such as “I” or “you,” the verb form does not change. For example:
     • I am happy.
     • You are kind.
   • For some irregular verbs, the verb form remains the same regardless of the subject. For example:
     • She has a car.
     • They have two dogs.

Exercises : 

• Exercise 1: Subject-Verb Agreement | Practice Test Online
• Exercise 2: Subject-Verb Agreement | Practice Test Online
• Exercise 3: Subject-Verb Agreement | Practice Test Online

Tips for Ensuring Subject-Verb Agreement:

1.  Identify the Subject: Determine whether the subject is singular or plural.
2.  Match the Verb: Choose the appropriate verb form based on the subject’s number.
3.  Beware of Tricky