Subject-verb agreement is one of the fundamental rules of the English language. It dictates that the verb of a sentence must agree in number with the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. This rule can be tricky, but practicing with exercises and understanding common pitfalls can help improve mastery of subject-verb agreement. With that in mind, here are the answers to 23.1 subject and verb agreement exercises.
1. The dog barks at strangers.
2. The students learn from their teachers.
3. The cat meows every morning.
4. The athletes train every day.
5. The children play in the park after school.
6. The scientists study climate change.
7. The flowers bloom in the spring.
8. The birds chirp at dawn.
9. The nurses care for patients.
10. The musicians practice their instruments daily.
11. The committee debates new policies.
12. The army marches in formation.
13. The chefs cook delicious meals.
14. The farmers plant crops in the spring.
15. The tourists visit museums and landmarks.
16. The police investigate crimes.
17. The teachers grade exams and papers.
18. The employees attend meetings and conferences.
19. The writers create compelling stories.
20. The volunteers help at the shelter.
21. The passengers board the plane.
22. The fish swim in the ocean.
23. The painters use vivid colors in their artwork.
These sentences all correctly use subject-verb agreement. However, there are common errors that can still occur, such as with collective nouns and indefinite pronouns. Collective nouns, such as team, family, and committee, can be singular or plural depending on the context, while indefinite pronouns, such as anyone, someone, and everyone, are always singular.
Additionally, beware of phrases that come between the subject and verb, such as prepositional phrases. These phrases can often be ignored when determining subject-verb agreement, but it`s important to ensure that the subject and verb still agree in number.
By paying close attention to subject-verb agreement and practicing regularly, writers can improve their writing and better communicate their ideas. Remember, proper grammar and syntax can make all the difference in presenting a clear and professional message.
