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What is a Subject-Verb Agreement?
Grade Level:
Class 1
NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication
Definition
What is it?
Subject-Verb Agreement means that the subject and the verb in a sentence must match each other. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
Simple Example
Quick Example
Imagine you are buying samosas. If you say 'One samosa is hot,' the singular subject 'samosa' matches the singular verb 'is.' But if you say 'Many samosas are hot,' the plural subject 'samosas' matches the plural verb 'are.' This matching is Subject-Verb Agreement.
Worked Example
Step-by-Step
Let's make sure the sentence 'My friend play cricket well' is correct.
Step 1: Identify the subject. The subject is 'My friend.'
---Step 2: Decide if the subject is singular or plural. 'My friend' means one friend, so it is singular.
---Step 3: Identify the verb. The verb is 'play.'
---Step 4: Check if the verb 'play' is singular or plural. For a singular subject, the verb usually ends with 's' or 'es' in the present tense (e.g., plays, runs). 'Play' is a plural verb form.
---Step 5: Make the verb agree with the singular subject. Change 'play' to 'plays.'
---Answer: The correct sentence is 'My friend plays cricket well.'
Why It Matters
Good Subject-Verb Agreement makes your English sound clear and professional. It's crucial for journalists writing news, lawyers drafting documents, and anyone communicating important information. It helps avoid confusion and ensures your message is understood correctly.
Common Mistakes
MISTAKE: Using a plural verb with a singular subject (e.g., 'The boy run fast.') | CORRECTION: Use a singular verb with a singular subject (e.g., 'The boy runs fast.')
MISTAKE: Using a singular verb with a plural subject (e.g., 'The students studies hard.') | CORRECTION: Use a plural verb with a plural subject (e.g., 'The students study hard.')
MISTAKE: Forgetting that 'I' and 'you' take plural verb forms even if they refer to one person (e.g., 'I likes mangoes.') | CORRECTION: Remember 'I' and 'you' take plural verbs (e.g., 'I like mangoes.')
Practice Questions
Try It Yourself
QUESTION: Choose the correct verb: 'The cat (sleep/sleeps) on the mat.' | ANSWER: sleeps
QUESTION: Fill in the blank: 'My parents _____ in Delhi.' (live/lives) | ANSWER: live
QUESTION: Correct the sentence: 'The team of players are ready for the match.' | ANSWER: The team of players is ready for the match.
MCQ
Quick Quiz
Which sentence shows correct Subject-Verb Agreement?
My brother like to eat dosa.
The children plays in the park.
She goes to school every day.
We drinks milk daily.
The Correct Answer Is:
C
Option C is correct because 'She' is singular, and 'goes' is the correct singular verb. Options A, B, and D have incorrect verb forms for their subjects.
Real World Connection
In the Real World
When you read news headlines on your phone or listen to a commentator during a cricket match, they always use correct Subject-Verb Agreement. Even AI assistants like Google Assistant or Alexa use it to understand your commands correctly, like 'My phone is ringing' vs 'My phones are ringing.'
Key Vocabulary
Key Terms
SUBJECT: The person or thing performing the action in a sentence. | VERB: The action word in a sentence. | SINGULAR: Referring to one person or thing. | PLURAL: Referring to more than one person or thing. | AGREEMENT: Matching or harmony between parts.
What's Next
What to Learn Next
Great job understanding Subject-Verb Agreement! Next, you can learn about 'Tenses.' Knowing how subjects and verbs agree will help you use different tenses correctly and make your sentences even more precise.
