Subject Verb Agreement Exercises For Class 9

Subject-Verb Agreement Exercises for Class 9: Mastering the Basics

Subject-verb agreement, a cornerstone of grammar, dictates that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. This fundamental concept, often challenging for Class 9 students, requires a solid understanding of sentence structure and the nuances of English grammar. This comprehensive guide provides a variety of subject-verb agreement exercises, progressing in difficulty, to build mastery and confidence. We'll cover common pitfalls, provide clear explanations, and offer strategies for tackling even the most complex sentences.

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

Before diving into the exercises, let's solidify the core principles:

• Singular Subjects Take Singular Verbs: A singular subject (e.g., he, she, it, the cat, the book) requires a singular verb (e.g., is, runs, sings, has).

• Plural Subjects Take Plural Verbs: A plural subject (e.g., they, we, the cats, the books) requires a plural verb (e.g., are, run, sing, have).

• Intervening Phrases: Phrases or clauses between the subject and verb do not affect the agreement. For example: The cat, along with its kittens, is sleeping. (The subject is "cat," which is singular.)

• Compound Subjects Joined by "and": Compound subjects joined by "and" generally take a plural verb. For example: The cat and the dog are playing.

• Compound Subjects Joined by "or" or "nor": With compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example: Neither the dog nor the cats are allowed inside. Either the cats or the dog is to blame.

• Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, group) can be singular or plural depending on whether they refer to the group as a single unit or to the individual members. For example: The team is practicing. (The team is acting as one unit.) The team are arguing amongst themselves. (The individual members are acting separately.)

Exercise 1: Basic Subject-Verb Agreement

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence.

1. The dog (is/are) barking loudly.
2. The birds (sing/sings) sweetly in the morning.
3. My friend (is/are) coming to visit me.
4. The books (is/are) on the shelf.
5. She (play/plays) the piano beautifully.
6. He (go/goes) to school every day.
7. The flowers (smell/smells) fragrant.
8. The children (run/runs) in the park.
9. My sister (read/reads) a lot of books.
10. My parents (work/works) hard.

Exercise 2: Intervening Phrases and Compound Subjects

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence.

1. The teacher, along with her students, (is/are) going on a field trip.
2. The books, including the new ones, (is/are) on the table.
3. My friend and his sister (is/are) coming to dinner.
4. Either my brother or my sisters (is/are) responsible.
5. Neither the cat nor the dogs (is/are) allowed upstairs.
6. The team, despite their disagreements, (is/are) working together.
7. The flock of birds (fly/flies) south for the winter.
8. A group of students (is/are) protesting the new policy.
9. The committee (is/are) meeting to discuss the budget.
10. The jury (is/are) deliberating the case.

Exercise 3: Indefinite Pronouns and Subject-Verb Agreement

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence. Remember, indefinite pronouns like everyone, someone, anyone, nobody, each, either, and neither are always singular.

1. Everyone (is/are) invited to the party.
2. Someone (has/have) stolen my pen.
3. Anybody (know/knows) the answer?
4. Nobody (is/are) home.
5. Each student (receive/receives) a certificate.
6. Either option (is/are) acceptable.
7. Neither of the candidates (is/are) qualified.
8. Someone (has/have) left their jacket behind.
9. Anyone (can/cans) learn to play the guitar.
10. Everybody (has/have) the right to speak.

Exercise 4: Collective Nouns and Subject-Verb Agreement

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence. Pay close attention to whether the collective noun refers to the group as a single unit or to its individual members.

1. The team (is/are) celebrating their victory. (Individual members)
2. The family (is/are) having a reunion. (Group as a unit)
3. The flock of geese (is/are) flying in formation. (Group as a unit)
4. The class (is/are) divided on the issue. (Individual members)
5. The audience (is/are) enjoying the performance. (Individual members)
6. The committee (is/are) submitting their report. (Individual members)
7. The jury (is/are) reaching a verdict. (Individual members)
8. The orchestra (is/are) tuning their instruments. (Individual members)
9. The crowd (is/are) cheering wildly. (Individual members)
10. The herd of cattle (is/are) grazing peacefully. (Group as a unit)

Exercise 5: Advanced Subject-Verb Agreement

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence. These sentences incorporate more complex sentence structures.

1. The number of students (is/are) increasing.
2. A number of students (is/are) absent today.
3. The data (show/shows) a significant trend.
4. The news (is/are) good.
5. Measles (is/are) a contagious disease.
6. Politics (is/are) a complicated subject.
7. Ten dollars (is/are) a lot of money.
8. Five years (is/are) a long time.
9. One of my friends (is/are) going to the party.
10. Many of my friends (is/are) going to the party.

Exercise 6: Subject-Verb Agreement with Relative Clauses

Instructions: Choose the correct verb to agree with the subject of the relative clause.

1. The book that (is/are) on the table is mine.
2. The students who (study/studies) hard usually succeed.
3. The car which (is/are) parked outside belongs to my neighbor.
4. The trees that (line/lines) the street are beautiful.
5. The politician who (make/makes) the most promises often wins the election.
6. The information that (is/are) being released is sensitive.
7. The players who (score/scores) the most points win the game.
8. The animals that (live/lives) in the forest are diverse.
9. The people who (believe/believes) in themselves often achieve their goals.
10. The building that (house/houses) the museum is historic.

Strategies for Success

Mastering subject-verb agreement requires practice and a keen eye for detail. Here are some helpful strategies:

• Identify the Subject: Carefully locate the subject of the sentence. This might be hidden within a phrase or clause.
• Ignore Intervening Phrases: Disregard prepositional phrases or other clauses that come between the subject and the verb.
• Focus on the Main Verb: Identify the main verb and ensure its form agrees with the subject in number.
• Check for Compound Subjects: Pay attention to subjects joined by "and," "or," or "nor."
• Consider Collective Nouns: Determine whether the collective noun refers to the group as a whole or to individual members.
• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to solidifying your understanding and improving accuracy.

This comprehensive guide, combined with consistent practice, will equip Class 9 students with the necessary skills and confidence to master subject-verb agreement. Remember, accuracy in grammar is essential for clear and effective communication. Continue practicing these exercises, and seek clarification when needed. With dedication and perseverance, you'll achieve mastery in no time!