How to Avoid Subject-Verb Agreement Errors: A Guide for Fifth Graders

📚 What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-verb agreement simply means that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Think of it like a matching game! 🧩

📜 A Little History

The rules of subject-verb agreement have evolved over centuries of English language development. They help ensure clarity and consistency in writing, making it easier for people to understand each other. It's a fundamental aspect of grammar that helps sentences make sense! 🕰️

🔑 Key Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement

• 👤 Singular Subjects Need Singular Verbs: If your subject is one person, place, or thing, use the singular form of the verb. For example: 'He runs.' 🏃
• 👯 Plural Subjects Need Plural Verbs: If your subject is more than one, use the plural form of the verb. For example: 'They run.' 🏃🏃
• 🤔 Identify the Subject: Sometimes, words can come between the subject and the verb, making it tricky to spot the correct verb form. Always find the true subject first! 🔎
• 🔗 Compound Subjects: When two or more subjects are joined by 'and,' they usually take a plural verb. For example: 'Sarah and Tom are playing.' 🧑‍🤝‍🧑
• ⚠️ Watch Out for 'Or' and 'Nor': When subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example: 'Neither the cat nor the dogs are hungry.' 🐶
• 🏢 Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (like 'team,' 'family,' or 'class') can be singular or plural, depending on whether they are acting as a single unit or as individual members. If acting as a unit, use a singular verb. If acting as individual members, use a plural verb. For example: 'The team is playing well.' (as a unit) vs. 'The team are arguing about the strategy.' (individual members). 🫂
• ❓ Questions: In questions, the verb often comes before the subject. Make sure the verb agrees with the subject! For example: 'Is she coming?' 🗣️

🌍 Real-World Examples

Let's look at some sentences and see subject-verb agreement in action!

• ✅ Correct: The dog barks loudly. (Singular subject, singular verb) 🐶
• ❌ Incorrect: The dog bark loudly.
• ✅ Correct: The dogs bark loudly. (Plural subject, plural verb) 🐕🐕
• ❌ Incorrect: The dogs barks loudly.
• ✅ Correct: She likes to read. (Singular subject, singular verb) 📖
• ❌ Incorrect: She like to read.
• ✅ Correct: They like to read. (Plural subject, plural verb) 📚
• ❌ Incorrect: They likes to read.

✍️ Practice Quiz

Let's see how well you understand subject-verb agreement! Choose the correct verb form in each sentence.

1. The cat (sleeps/sleep) on the couch.
2. My friends (play/plays) soccer after school.
3. She (has/have) a new bicycle.
4. They (go/goes) to the park every Sunday.
5. The birds (sing/sings) in the morning.
6. He (eat/eats) pizza for lunch.
7. We (watch/watches) movies on Friday nights.

Answers: 1. sleeps, 2. play, 3. has, 4. go, 5. sing, 6. eats, 7. watch

🎉 Conclusion

You've now learned the basics of subject-verb agreement! Keep practicing, and soon you'll be a master of making your subjects and verbs agree. Good luck, and keep writing! ✍️