How to Identify Subject-Verb Agreement Errors: Grade 4 ELA

📚 What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must match the number (singular or plural) of its subject. Think of it like they're best friends and need to agree on everything! If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural too.

📜 A Little Bit of History

The rules of subject-verb agreement have evolved over centuries as the English language developed. They help us communicate clearly and avoid confusion. These rules became more formalized as grammar became standardized in educational settings.

🔑 Key Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement

• 👤 Singular Subjects: 💡 Singular subjects take singular verbs. Example: The cat sits on the mat.
• 👥 Plural Subjects: 📝 Plural subjects take plural verbs. Example: The cats sit on the mat.
• 🤝 Compound Subjects: ➕ Compound subjects joined by "and" usually take a plural verb. Example: John and Mary are going to the store.
• ❗ Exceptions: ⚠️ When the parts of a compound subject refer to one thing, use a singular verb. Example: Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish.
• 📍 Intervening Phrases: 🧭 Phrases between the subject and verb don't change the agreement. Example: The book, along with the pens, is on the table.
• ❓ Indefinite Pronouns: 🤔 Some indefinite pronouns (like each, everyone, somebody) are singular. Example: Everyone is ready. Others (like several, both, many) are plural. Example: Several are going.
• 🧱 Collective Nouns: 👪 Collective nouns (like team, family, class) can be singular or plural, depending on whether they act as a unit or as individuals. Example: The team is playing well. The team are arguing about the rules.

🌍 Real-World Examples

Let's see how this works in everyday sentences:

• 🍎 The apple is red. (Singular subject, singular verb)
• 📚 The books are heavy. (Plural subject, plural verb)
• 🐕‍🦺 The dog, along with his toys, needs a bath. (Intervening phrase, singular verb)
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 My family is happy. (Collective noun acting as a unit, singular verb)

✅ Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement is a key step in becoming a confident writer and speaker. Pay close attention to the subject and make sure the verb agrees! With practice, you'll become a subject-verb agreement pro! 💪