Agreement of Verb Exercise

Agreement of Verb Exercise: A Guide for Writers

As a writer, it`s essential to ensure your sentences are grammatically correct to convey the intended message efficiently. Among the fundamental principles of grammar is the agreement of a verb. This principle states that the verb must agree with its subject in number and person. In this article, we will go through the agreement of verb exercise to help you improve your writing skills.

Singular and Plural Verbs

A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. Let`s take a look at some examples:

Singular verb examples:

– The boy runs to school every day.

– The cat purrs whenever it sees me.

– The book belongs to the library.

Plural verb examples:

– The dogs bark in the park every morning.

– The birds sing sweetly in the trees.

– The students study hard for their exams.

Identifying the Subject

To ensure agreement between the verb and subject, it`s crucial to identify the subject. The subject could be a person, animal, thing, or idea. Let`s take a look at some examples:

– The girl sings beautifully. (The subject is “girl”)

– The car runs smoothly. (The subject is “car”)

– The flowers smell sweet. (The subject is “flowers”)

– The idea seems interesting. (The subject is “idea”)

In sentences where the subject is not explicitly stated, it`s vital to identify it. For example:

– It rains heavily in December. (The subject is “weather”)

– There is a party at my house tonight. (The subject is “party”)

Subject-Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects

When a sentence has two or more subjects, it`s known as a compound subject. In this case, the verb must agree with the number of subjects in the sentence. Let`s take a look at some examples:

– The dog and the cat play together. (The subject is “dog” and “cat,” plural verb required)

– Swimming and cycling are my favorite sports. (The subject is “swimming” and “cycling,” plural verb required)

Subject-Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that refer to people, places, or things in general. The agreement of a verb with indefinite pronouns can be tricky, as some indefinite pronouns are singular while others are plural. Let`s take a look at some examples:

– Someone is at the door. (The subject is “someone,” singular verb required)

– Many people are at the park. (The subject is “many people,” plural verb required)

– Everybody loves pizza. (The subject is “everybody,” singular verb required)

– Both of them are my friends. (The subject is “both,” plural verb required)

Conclusion

The agreement of verb exercise is a crucial aspect of grammar that writers need to master. By ensuring the verb agrees with the subject in number and person, you can communicate your ideas more effectively. Remember to identify the subject, use singular or plural verbs as appropriate, and be mindful of indefinite pronouns when writing. By following these guidelines, you can improve your writing skills and make your work clearer and more engaging.