Exercise on subject and verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that every writer needs to master. The subject and verb agreement in a sentence ensure that the meaning is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. This article will provide some exercises to help writers improve their subject and verb agreement skills.

Exercise 1: Identify the subject and verb agreement

Identifying the subject and verb agreement in a sentence is the first step to master subject and verb agreement. Consider the following sentences:

– The team is playing well.

– The players are playing well.

In the first sentence, the subject is “team,” and the verb is “is playing,” which is singular. In the second sentence, the subject is “players,” and the verb is “are playing,” which is plural. Therefore, the subject and verb agreement in the first sentence is correct, while the second sentence is incorrect.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct verb

Choosing the correct verb that agrees with the subject is crucial in subject and verb agreement. Consider the following sentences:

– Anna and her friends ________ going to the park.

– Anna or her friends ________ going to the park.

In the first sentence, “Anna and her friends” is a plural subject, and the verb that agrees with it is “are going.” In the second sentence, “Anna or her friends” is a singular subject, and the verb that agrees with it is “is going.” Therefore, the correct verb in the first sentence is “are going,” while the second sentence is “is going.”

Exercise 3: Use the correct indefinite pronoun

Using the correct indefinite pronoun that agrees with the subject is also essential in subject and verb agreement. Consider the following sentences:

– Everyone in the class ________ finished their assignments.

– Someone in the office ________ lost their phone.

In the first sentence, “everyone” is a singular indefinite pronoun, but “their” is a plural pronoun. To make the sentence correct, we can change it to “Everyone in the class has finished his or her assignment.” In the second sentence, “someone” is a singular indefinite pronoun, and “their” is plural. To make the sentence correct, we can change it to “Someone in the office has lost his or her phone.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, subject and verb agreement is a vital aspect of grammar that every writer needs to master. These exercises can help writers improve their skills in identifying the subject and verb agreement, choosing the correct verb, and using the correct indefinite pronoun. By mastering subject and verb agreement, writers can communicate effectively and ensure that their writing is grammatically correct.