Worksheet On Subject And Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement: A Comprehensive Worksheet and Guide

Subject-verb agreement, a cornerstone of grammatical accuracy, dictates that a sentence's subject and verb must agree in number. This means a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. While seemingly straightforward, numerous complexities and exceptions can make mastering subject-verb agreement challenging. This comprehensive guide and worksheet will equip you with the knowledge and practice to confidently conquer this grammatical hurdle.

Understanding the Basics of Subject-Verb Agreement

The foundation of subject-verb agreement lies in correctly identifying the sentence's subject and verb. The subject is the noun or pronoun performing the action, while the verb describes the action or state of being.

Example:

• Subject: The dog
• Verb: barks

In this simple sentence, "dog" (singular subject) agrees with "barks" (singular verb).

However, things get more intricate when dealing with compound subjects, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and inverted sentence structures. Let's delve into these complexities:

Compound Subjects

Compound subjects consist of two or more nouns or pronouns joined by conjunctions like "and" or "or."

• Subjects joined by "and": Generally take a plural verb. Example: The cat and the dog play together.

• Subjects joined by "or" or "nor": The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Example: Neither the cats nor the dog is allowed inside. Either the dog or the cats are responsible.

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 the individual members within it.

• Singular: The team is practicing hard. (Team acts as a single unit)
• Plural: The team are arguing amongst themselves. (Focus on individual members)

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone, anybody, each) are generally singular and take singular verbs.

• Examples: Everyone is invited. Someone has taken my pen. Each of the students is responsible for their own work.

However, some indefinite pronouns, such as "both," "few," "many," and "several," are always plural.

• Examples: Both are excellent choices. Many have already arrived.

Inverted Sentence Structures

In sentences with inverted word order (e.g., questions, sentences beginning with "there"), the verb may appear before the subject. Carefully identify the subject to ensure proper agreement.

• Example: There are many reasons for this decision. (Subject: reasons) Is he coming tonight? (Subject: he)

Common Mistakes in Subject-Verb Agreement

Several common errors frequently occur in subject-verb agreement. Being aware of these pitfalls will improve your grammatical accuracy:

• Intervening phrases: Phrases or clauses placed between the subject and verb do not affect the verb's number. Focus on the main subject. Example: The basket of apples is on the table. (Subject: basket, not apples)

• Misidentification of the subject: Incorrectly identifying the subject leads to agreement errors. Pay close attention to sentence structure.

• Confusing singular and plural nouns: Ensure you correctly identify whether the subject is singular or plural.

• Incorrect use of collective nouns: Determine whether the collective noun refers to the group as a whole or its individual members.

• Neglecting indefinite pronouns: Remember that most indefinite pronouns are singular, while some are always plural.

Worksheet: Subject-Verb Agreement Practice

Now, let's put your knowledge to the test with a comprehensive worksheet. Choose the correct verb form for each sentence. Answers are provided at the end.

Instructions: Select the correct verb form in parentheses to complete each sentence.

1. The dog (bark, barks) loudly.
2. My cats and my dog (play, plays) together.
3. Either the cat or the dogs (is, are) to blame.
4. Neither the birds nor the squirrel (is, are) visible.
5. The team (is, are) celebrating their victory.
6. The team (is, are) arguing about the strategy.
7. Everyone (is, are) invited to the party.
8. Somebody (has, have) left their phone behind.
9. Each of the students (submit, submits) their assignment.
10. Many (has, have) already completed the race.
11. There (is, are) several reasons for this delay.
12. The box of chocolates (is, are) almost empty.
13. A flock of birds (fly, flies) overhead.
14. The group of tourists (walk, walks) through the museum.
15. The committee (debates, debate) the proposal vigorously.
16. The data (support, supports) the hypothesis.
17. The news (is, are) alarming.
18. Physics (is, are) a challenging subject.
19. Measles (is, are) a contagious disease.
20. Ten dollars (is, are) a small amount.

More Challenging Sentences:

21. The number of applicants (is, are) surprisingly high.
22. A number of applicants (has, have) withdrawn their applications.
23. Not only the students but also the teacher (is, are) excited about the trip.
24. Either the teacher or the students (is, are) responsible for the mess.
25. Neither the students nor the teacher (was, were) aware of the problem.

Advanced Exercises: Subject-Verb Agreement with Complex Sentences

These exercises focus on more intricate sentence structures to further enhance your understanding.

Exercise 1: Identify the subject and verb in each sentence, then indicate whether the subject and verb agree.

1. The beautiful flowers in the garden smell sweetly.
2. Among the flowers, a family of bees buzzes busily.
3. A plethora of options were presented to the committee.
4. The collection of stamps, a lifelong hobby, bring joy to its owner.
5. Each of the paintings displayed in the gallery were meticulously crafted.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences to correct any subject-verb agreement errors.

1. The flock of geese fly south for the winter.
2. Neither my sister nor I am attending the conference.
3. The committee has decided on their final decision.
4. There is many reasons to be optimistic.
5. Everybody know the answer to that question.

Answers to Worksheet

1. barks
2. play
3. is
4. is
5. is
6. are
7. is
8. has
9. submits
10. have
11. are
12. is
13. flies
14. walks
15. debate
16. supports
17. is
18. is
19. is
20. is
21. is
22. have
23. are
24. is
25. were

Conclusion: Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement

Mastering subject-verb agreement enhances the clarity and professionalism of your writing. By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can confidently avoid common errors and communicate effectively. Remember to always identify the subject accurately and consider the nuances of compound subjects, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns. Consistent practice using worksheets and exercises is key to solidifying your understanding and developing flawless grammar skills. Continue to challenge yourself with increasingly complex sentences to further hone your grammatical proficiency.