Subject-verb agreement is critical in English grammar. It is a process by which the verb in a sentence agrees with the subject in terms of number. For instance, if the subject is in the singular form, the verb should be in the singular form, and if the subject is in the plural form, the verb should be in the plural form. This agreement helps in maintaining consistency, clarity, and accuracy in communication.
If you`re looking to sharpen your skills in subject-verb agreement, a worksheet can be an excellent resource. It can help you understand the rules and apply them practically. Here`s a subject-verb agreement worksheet to guide you in choosing the correct verb in the first part of a sentence.
Instructions: Choose the correct verb that agrees with the subject in each sentence.
1. The dog (barks, bark) at the mailman every morning.
The subject in the sentence is “the dog,” which is a singular noun. Therefore, the verb should be in the singular form. The correct answer is “barks.”
2. The students (study, studies) hard for their exams.
The subject in the sentence is “the students,” which is a plural noun. Therefore, the verb should be in the plural form. The correct answer is “study.”
3. Every night, the stars (shine, shines) brightly in the sky.
The subject in the sentence is “the stars,” which is a plural noun. Therefore, the verb should be in the plural form. The correct answer is “shine.”
4. The company (is, are) planning to launch a new product next year.
The subject in the sentence is “the company,” which is a singular noun. Therefore, the verb should be in the singular form. The correct answer is “is.”
5. The books on the shelf (looks, look) dusty.
The subject in the sentence is “the books on the shelf,” which is a plural noun. Therefore, the verb should be in the plural form. The correct answer is “look.”
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar. It ensures that sentences are clear, coherent, and grammatically correct. The worksheet provided above can help you practice choosing the correct verb in the first part of a sentence and improve your skills in subject-verb agreement.