Subject Verb Agreement Exercise and Answer

Subject-verb agreement is an essential rule in English language for effective written communication. The basic concept is simple: the subject and verb in a sentence should be in agreement in terms of number and person. However, subject-verb agreement can be a tricky area for non-native English speakers as well as for those who are not well-versed in grammar rules.

To help you get a better grasp of subject-verb agreement, we have put together a simple exercise with answers to test your knowledge and skill in this area.

Exercise:

1. “The dog barks loudly in the morning.”

In this sentence, the subject is “the dog,” and the verb is “barks.” Both the subject and verb are in singular form and agree in terms of number and person. Therefore, this sentence has correct subject-verb agreement.

2. “The cats run fast.”

In this sentence, the subject is “the cats,” and the verb is “run.” Both the subject and the verb are in plural form and agree in terms of number and person. Therefore, this sentence has correct subject-verb agreement.

3. “The boy or the girl (is/are) going to the store?”

In this sentence, the subject is “the boy or the girl.” The subject is considered singular, and the verb should agree in terms of number and person. Since “boy” and “girl” are both in singular form, the correct verb form would be “is.” Therefore, the correct sentence would be: “The boy or the girl is going to the store?”

4. “The group of students (study/studies) hard every day.”

In this sentence, the subject is “the group of students.” Even though “students” is plural, the subject is singular, and the correct verb form should be in singular form. Therefore, the correct sentence would be: “The group of students studies hard every day.”

5. “Neither the teacher nor the students (was/were) happy with the results.”

In this sentence, the subject is “neither the teacher nor the students.” The subject is considered singular, and the verb should agree in terms of number and person. Since “neither” indicates one negative subject, the correct verb form should be singular. Therefore, the correct sentence would be: “Neither the teacher nor the students was happy with the results.”

Answers:

1. Correct

2. Correct

3. The boy or the girl is going to the store?

4. The group of students studies hard every day.

5. Neither the teacher nor the students was happy with the results.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a critical grammar rule that must be mastered for effective written communication in English. By practicing exercises like the one presented here, you can develop a better understanding of subject-verb agreement and improve your writing skills. Remember to always ensure that your sentences have proper subject-verb agreement to avoid confusing your readers and convey your ideas accurately and clearly.