Subject-Verb Agreement: The Basics

Subject-verb agreement is an important part of English grammar. It helps make sure that our sentences are clear and easy to understand.

So, what does subject-verb agreement mean? It means that the subject of a sentence (who or what is doing something) needs to match the verb (the action being done) in number. This means:

• Singular (one) subjects use singular verbs,
• Plural (more than one) subjects use plural verbs.

Let’s look at some examples:

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

• Singular Subject + Singular Verb
• Plural Subject + Plural Verb

Examples of Singular and Plural:

1. Singular Subject: "The dog"
   • Correct Verb Form: barks
   • Completed Sentence: "The dog barks."
2. Plural Subject: "The dogs"
   • Correct Verb Form: bark
   • Completed Sentence: "The dogs bark."

Checking Our Example Sentences

Now, let’s take a closer look at our example sentences to see if they follow the rules of subject-verb agreement.

1. “The dog bark”

   • "Dog" is singular and needs a singular verb.
   • The verb "bark" is not correct here. It should be "barks."
   • Conclusion: This sentence is incorrect.

2. “The dogs bark”

   • "Dogs" is plural, so it needs a plural verb.
   • The verb "bark" is right because it matches the plural subject.
   • Conclusion: This sentence is correct.

Important Grammar Points

• Adding -s or -es: When the subject is singular, we often add -s or -es to the verb in the present tense.

  • Example: "He runs" (singular) vs. "They run" (plural).

• Exceptions:

  • Irregular Verbs: Some verbs don’t follow the usual rules and can be tricky.
  • Example: The verb "to be" is one of them: "He is" (singular) vs. "They are" (plural).

Practice with Subject-Verb Agreement

Here are some sentences for practice. Decide if they are correct or incorrect based on subject-verb agreement:

1. “The cat run fast.”

   • Is this correct? (No, it should be “runs.”)

2. “The birds sings beautifully.”

   • Is this correct? (No, it should be “sing.”)

3. “My friend play soccer.”

   • Is this correct? (No, it should be “plays.”)

4. “The children laugh at the movie.”

   • Is this correct? (Yes!)

Conclusion

Knowing about subject-verb agreement is super important for writing clear sentences in English. Remember to always match singular subjects with singular verbs and plural subjects with plural verbs. The more you practice with different subjects and verbs, the easier this will become.

As you get better at English, pay special attention to the subject and its verb in your sentences to make sure they agree.

By understanding subject-verb agreement, you’ll improve your communication skills and notice a big difference in your writing and speaking!