Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: Common Errors and Their Solutions


Introduction:

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule in English grammar that requires the subject and verb in a sentence to match in number and person. While it may seem simple, errors in subject-verb agreement are one of the most common mistakes in writing and speaking. These errors can cause confusion and disrupt the clarity of your message.

In this comprehensive study module, we will delve into subject-verb agreement errors, explore common mistakes, and offer practical solutions. Through examples, rules, and exercises, you will enhance your understanding of how to maintain agreement between subjects and verbs in various sentence structures. This will ensure precision in both written and spoken English, particularly useful for exams.


Table of Contents:

  1. Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
    • Definition and importance
    • The basic rule: singular and plural subjects
  2. Common Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
    • Errors with collective nouns
    • Errors with compound subjects
    • Errors with indefinite pronouns
  3. Rules for Correct Subject-Verb Agreement
    • Singular and plural subjects
    • Special cases: Collective nouns, compound subjects, and indefinite pronouns
  4. Solutions to Common Errors
    • Identifying and correcting errors
    • Rewriting sentences for clarity
  5. Applications in Exams and Academic Writing
    • The importance of subject-verb agreement in exams
    • Tips for ensuring accurate subject-verb agreement in essays and responses
  6. Practice Exercises
    • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
    • Descriptive Questions
    • Fill in the Blanks

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

Definition: Subject-verb agreement means that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural). For example:

  • Singular subject + singular verb: The cat runs fast.
  • Plural subject + plural verb: The cats run fast.

Basic Rule:

  • Singular subjects take singular verbs.
  • Plural subjects take plural verbs.

Common Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

  1. Errors with Collective Nouns: Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things considered as a single entity (e.g., team, family, committee). The verb agreement depends on whether the noun is treated as a singular or plural subject.
    • Incorrect: The team are winning the match.
    • Correct: The team is winning the match.
  2. Errors with Compound Subjects: A compound subject is made up of two or more nouns connected by “and,” “or,” or “nor.” When the subjects are joined by “and,” the verb is usually plural. When joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
    • Incorrect: The teacher and the students was excited.
    • Correct: The teacher and the students were excited.
  3. Errors with Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, somebody, anyone) often cause confusion with subject-verb agreement. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular, while others are always plural.
    • Incorrect: Everyone have completed their work.
    • Correct: Everyone has completed their work.

Rules for Correct Subject-Verb Agreement

  1. Singular and Plural Subjects:
    • A singular subject takes a singular verb. Example: The dog barks loudly.
    • A plural subject takes a plural verb. Example: The dogs bark loudly.
  2. Collective Nouns:
    • If the collective noun refers to a group acting as a unit, use a singular verb. Example: The committee decides the policy.
    • If the members of the group are acting individually, use a plural verb. Example: The committee argue among themselves.
  3. Compound Subjects:
    • When two subjects are joined by “and,” the verb is plural. Example: My brother and sister love to read.
    • When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Example: Either the teacher or the students are responsible. Example: Neither the teacher nor the student is available.
  4. Indefinite Pronouns:
    • Some indefinite pronouns are always singular, including “everyone,” “everyone,” “someone,” “anybody.” Example: Everybody is invited to the party.
    • Some indefinite pronouns are always plural, such as “both,” “few,” “many.” Example: Few are ready for the test.

Solutions to Common Errors

  • Identify the subject: To avoid errors, first identify the subject of the sentence and decide if it is singular or plural.
  • Check for collective nouns: Determine whether the collective noun refers to a group acting as a unit or as individuals.
  • Consider compound subjects: Remember that when two or more subjects are joined by “and,” the verb is plural. With “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
  • Handle indefinite pronouns carefully: Ensure that singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs, and plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs.

Applications in Exams and Academic Writing

  • Why Subject-Verb Agreement Matters in Exams:
    • Incorrect subject-verb agreement can make your writing seem unprofessional and may lead to lower marks. Proper subject-verb agreement ensures clarity and precision.
  • Tips for Ensuring Correct Agreement:
    • Double-check your subjects and verbs for agreement before submitting your work.
    • Pay close attention to compound subjects, indefinite pronouns, and collective nouns.

Practice Exercises

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  1. Which sentence is correct?
    • a) The team are ready for the match.
    • b) The team is ready for the match.
    • c) The team have ready for the match.
    • d) The team be ready for the match.

    Answer: b) The team is ready for the match.
    Explanation: “Team” is a collective noun treated as singular.

  2. Choose the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement:
    • a) Neither the teacher nor the students was prepared.
    • b) Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared.
    • c) Neither the teacher or the students was prepared.
    • d) Neither the teacher or the students were prepared.

    Answer: b) Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared.
    Explanation: When subjects are joined by “nor,” the verb agrees with the noun closest to it.

  3. Select the correct sentence:
    • a) Everyone have a unique talent.
    • b) Everyone has a unique talent.
    • c) Everyone are a unique talent.
    • d) Everyone is a unique talent.

    Answer: b) Everyone has a unique talent.
    Explanation: “Everyone” is a singular indefinite pronoun.

  4. Which sentence is correct?
    • a) The students and the teacher was tired after the class.
    • b) The students and the teacher were tired after the class.
    • c) The students and the teacher is tired after the class.
    • d) The students and the teacher are tired after the class.

    Answer: b) The students and the teacher were tired after the class.
    Explanation: “Students and teacher” is a compound subject, so it requires a plural verb.

  5. Which is correct?
    • a) Either the cat or the dogs is sleeping.
    • b) Either the cat or the dog are sleeping.
    • c) Either the cat or the dog is sleeping.
    • d) Either the cat or the dogs were sleeping.

    Answer: c) Either the cat or the dog is sleeping.
    Explanation: “Dog” is the singular subject closest to the verb, so the singular verb “is” is used.


Descriptive Questions and Answers

  1. What is subject-verb agreement and why is it important?
    • Answer: Subject-verb agreement means that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural). It’s important because it ensures that the sentence is grammatically correct and easy to understand.
  2. Explain the role of collective nouns in subject-verb agreement.
    • Answer: Collective nouns represent groups of people or things, but their verb agreement depends on whether they act as a unit or as individuals. For example, “The team is playing well” (unit acting together) vs. “The team are arguing among themselves” (members acting individually).
  3. Describe the error in the sentence: “Neither the teacher nor the students was late.”
    • Answer: The error is that the verb “was” should be “were” because the subject closest to the verb, “students,” is plural. Correct sentence: “Neither the teacher nor the students were late.”
  4. What is the rule for subject-verb agreement when the subject is a compound noun joined by “and”?
    • Answer: When the compound subject is joined by “and,” the verb is plural. For example: “My brother and sister love to read.”
  5. How do indefinite pronouns affect subject-verb agreement?
    • Answer: Indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “someone,” and “each” are treated as singular and require a singular verb. For example: “Everyone is happy.”
  6. Explain how to correct errors in subject-verb agreement when the subject is a compound subject joined by “or” or “nor.”
    • Answer: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example: “Neither the teacher nor the students are available.”
  7. Why does subject-verb agreement matter in exams?
    • Answer: Correct subject-verb agreement ensures clarity and coherence in writing. It helps students present their ideas

accurately, contributing to a higher score in exams.

  1. What is the importance of paying attention to plural and singular subjects in subject-verb agreement?
    • Answer: Correctly identifying whether the subject is singular or plural helps in choosing the correct verb form, ensuring grammatical correctness.
  2. How would you correct the sentence: “The committee have decided on the proposal.”?
    • Answer: “The committee has decided on the proposal.” The subject “committee” is singular and requires a singular verb.
  3. Explain the mistake in the sentence: “Each of the students are responsible.”
  • Answer: The correct sentence is “Each of the students is responsible.” “Each” is a singular subject, so it takes the singular verb “is.”

Fill in the Blanks

  1. Neither the teacher nor the students _______ here.
    Answer: are
  2. The team _______ practicing for the final match.
    Answer: is
  3. Both my friend and I _______ excited about the trip.
    Answer: are
  4. Every student _______ responsible for their actions.
    Answer: is
  5. The dog and the cat _______ playing together.
    Answer: are
  6. Either the teacher or the students _______ bringing the materials.
    Answer: are
  7. Each of the girls _______ her own book.
    Answer: has
  8. The family _______ planning a vacation this summer.
    Answer: is
  9. My parents _______ very supportive of my goals.
    Answer: are
  10. Neither the teacher nor the students _______ aware of the change.
    Answer: were

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here