Subject And Verb Agreement Worksheet

Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: A Comprehensive Worksheet and Guide

Subject-verb agreement, the cornerstone of grammatical accuracy, dictates that a verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. This seemingly simple rule can be surprisingly tricky, especially with complex sentence structures and tricky exceptions. This comprehensive guide provides a deep dive into subject-verb agreement, offering explanations, examples, and a substantial worksheet to solidify your understanding. Mastering this skill will significantly enhance your writing clarity and professionalism.

Understanding the Basics: Singular vs. Plural

Before tackling the complexities, let's establish the foundation. A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. This is the simplest form of agreement:

• Singular: The dog barks loudly.
• Plural: The dogs bark loudly.

Notice the subtle but crucial difference: the singular verb "barks" matches the singular subject "dog," while the plural verb "bark" matches the plural subject "dogs."

Common Challenges and Exceptions: Where Things Get Tricky

While the basic rule is straightforward, many grammatical structures present challenges:

1. Intervening Phrases: Don't Be Misled!

Phrases placed between the subject and the verb often cause confusion. These phrases are descriptive but don't affect the subject's number. Ignore them when determining subject-verb agreement.

• Incorrect: The box of chocolates are delicious.

• Correct: The box of chocolates is delicious. (The subject is "box," which is singular.)

• Incorrect: My sister, along with her friends, are going to the movies.

• Correct: My sister, along with her friends, is going to the movies. (The subject is "sister," which is singular.)

2. Compound Subjects: And, Or, Nor

• And: When two or more subjects are joined by "and," they typically take a plural verb.

  • Example: The cat and the dog play together.

• Or/Nor: When two or more subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

  • Example: Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.
  • Example: Either the teacher or the students are responsible.

3. Collective Nouns: A Group's Identity

Collective nouns (team, family, group, committee) can be singular or plural depending on whether they refer to the group as a unit or to its individual members.

• Singular: The team is playing well. (Team acts as a single unit.)
• Plural: The team are arguing among themselves. (Focus is on individual team members.)

4. Indefinite Pronouns: Tricky Singulars and Plurals

Indefinite pronouns (someone, everyone, anybody, nobody, each, either, neither) are always singular.

• Correct: Everyone is expected to participate.
• Correct: Neither of the options is satisfactory.

However, some indefinite pronouns (some, any, none, all, most) can be singular or plural depending on the noun or pronoun they refer to.

• Singular: Some of the cake is left.
• Plural: Some of the cookies are left.

5. Subjects with Titles and Names: Singular Focus

When the subject is a title or name (e.g., "The Chronicles of Narnia" or "The Avengers"), treat it as singular.

• Correct: The Chronicles of Narnia is a classic fantasy series.

6. Amounts and Measurements: Singular Unless Otherwise Stated

Amounts of money, time, or measurements are usually treated as singular.

• Correct: Ten dollars is a small amount.
• Correct: Three years is a long time.

7. Inverted Sentence Structure: Spotting the Subject

In inverted sentences (where the verb comes before the subject), carefully identify the subject to ensure proper agreement.

• Incorrect: There is many reasons for this.
• Correct: There are many reasons for this. (Subject is "reasons," which is plural.)

8. Fractional Expressions: Context Matters

Fractional expressions (one-half, two-thirds) take a singular verb if referring to a singular noun and a plural verb if referring to a plural noun.

• Singular: One-half of the pizza is gone.
• Plural: Two-thirds of the students are absent.

Subject-Verb Agreement Worksheet: Putting Knowledge into Practice

Now, let's test your understanding with a comprehensive worksheet. Each sentence requires you to choose the correct verb form, either singular or plural. The answers are provided at the end.

Instructions: Choose the correct verb in parentheses to make the sentence grammatically correct.

1. The cat (sleeps/sleep) soundly.
2. The dogs (bark/barks) at the mailman.
3. My friend, along with her family, (is/are) coming for dinner.
4. Neither the teacher nor the students (know/knows) the answer.
5. The team (is/are) celebrating their victory.
6. Everyone (was/were) invited to the party.
7. Some of the cookies (is/are) missing.
8. The United States (has/have) a long and complex history.
9. Ten dollars (is/are) not enough for that.
10. There (is/are) several reasons for his absence.
11. One-third of the students (is/are) failing the course.
12. The flock of birds (soars/soar) gracefully.
13. Both the cat and the dog (chase/chases) the ball.
14. Either my sister or my brothers (is/are) responsible.
15. The committee (debates/debate) the issue fiercely.
16. Nobody (knows/know) the solution.
17. All of the information (is/are) accurate.
18. The box of chocolates (was/were) a thoughtful gift.
19. The group of friends (is/are) planning a trip.
20. A collection of stamps (is/are) worth a fortune.

Answer Key: Checking Your Work

1. sleeps
2. bark
3. is
4. knows
5. are
6. was
7. are
8. has
9. is
10. are
11. are
12. soar
13. chase
14. are
15. debates
16. knows
17. is
18. was
19. are
20. is

Advanced Concepts and Further Practice

This worksheet provides a solid foundation, but further exploration of subject-verb agreement is encouraged. Researching more complex cases, such as those involving relative clauses and other sentence constructions, will further refine your grammatical precision. Remember that consistent practice is key to mastery. Continue to analyze sentences critically, identify subjects and verbs, and confirm their agreement. By actively engaging with the nuances of grammar, you will develop a keen eye for accuracy and significantly enhance your writing skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are some common mistakes people make with subject-verb agreement?

A: Some common mistakes include ignoring intervening phrases, misidentifying the true subject in complex sentences, and incorrectly handling collective nouns and indefinite pronouns.

Q: How can I improve my subject-verb agreement skills?

A: Consistent practice with worksheets and exercises, coupled with careful reading and analysis of your own writing, is essential. Pay close attention to the structure of sentences and always consciously check for agreement.

Q: Are there any online resources or tools available to help me with subject-verb agreement?

A: While external links are not permitted here, a quick online search will reveal many helpful resources such as grammar guides, interactive exercises, and subject-verb agreement checkers.

Conclusion: Precision in Language

Mastering subject-verb agreement is a crucial step towards becoming a confident and effective communicator. By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can ensure clarity and precision in your writing. This guide and worksheet provide a strong foundation, but continued learning and application are key to achieving mastery. Remember, the journey towards grammatical excellence is an ongoing process of learning, practice, and refinement. Embrace the challenge, and your writing will undoubtedly benefit.