We denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who we are to beguiled demoralized by the charms of pleasures that moment, so we blinded desires, that they indignations.
Class 9 English Grammar: Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
As a student of English grammar, one of the most important concepts you will learn is subject-verb agreement. At its core, this fundamental rule requires that the verb in a sentence agrees in number with the subject of the sentence. Getting this right is crucial to achieving good grades in your English exams, and to becoming a competent communicator in English.
In this article, we will discuss the key principles of subject-verb agreement and provide you with some helpful tips to ensure that you are able to use this skill with confidence.
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Before we dive into the details, let’s first define what is meant by subject-verb agreement. Essentially, this rule requires that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
Examples:
Singular Subject: The cat chases the mouse. (Here, ‘cat’ is singular, so the verb ‘chases’ is singular.)
Plural Subject: The cats chase the mice. (Here, ‘cats’ is plural, so the verb ‘chase’ is plural.)
Common Errors in Subject-Verb Agreement
Despite being a basic rule in English grammar, subject-verb agreement can be tricky. Here are some common errors to watch out for:
1. When the subject and verb are separated by a long phrase, learners sometimes forget to match the verb form to the subject.
Example: The girl who is wearing a yellow dress, along with her friends, were planning to attend the concert.
Correction: The girl who is wearing a yellow dress, along with her friends, was planning to attend the concert.
2. When the subject is a collective noun, such as team, family, or group, it can be difficult to determine whether it’s singular or plural.
Example: The team were divided on the best strategy to use.
Correction: The team was divided on the best strategy to use.
3. When there are compound subjects, that is, two or more subjects that share the same verb, it is important to ensure that the verb form agrees with the combined subjects.
Example: The dog and the cat chases the mouse.
Correction: The dog and the cat chase the mouse.
Tips to Improve Your Subject-Verb Agreement
To avoid the common errors we’ve highlighted, here are some tips to help you improve your subject-verb agreement skills:
1. Always identify the subject of the sentence first, before determining the verb.
2. Be on the lookout for collective nouns and compound subjects.
3. Cross-check the subject and verb to ensure that they match in terms of number.
4. Read the sentence aloud to get a good sense of whether it sounds correct.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is a crucial element of English grammar, and mastering it will help you to become a better writer and communicator. By watching out for common errors and following our tips, you will be well on your way to achieving success in your English studies.