How to Identify Subject-Verb Agreement Errors: A 6th Grade Guide

📚 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. It's all about making sure they match!

📜 A Little History

The concept of subject-verb agreement has been around for centuries, evolving alongside the English language. Early forms of English had more complex agreement rules, but over time, it has simplified to what we use today. Understanding this agreement helps ensure clear and effective communication.

🔑 Key Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement

• 👤Singular Subjects: Use a singular verb. For example, "The cat sits on the mat."
• 👥Plural Subjects: Use a plural verb. For example, "The cats sit on the mat."
• 🤝Compound Subjects: Subjects joined by "and" usually take a plural verb. For example, "John and Mary are going to the store."
• ❗Exceptions with Compound Subjects: If the parts of the subject form a single idea, use a singular verb. For example, "Mac and cheese is my favorite dish."
• ➕Subjects Joined by "or" or "nor": The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, "Neither the students nor the teacher is here."
• ❓ Indefinite Pronouns: Pronouns like "each," "everyone," "someone," and "nobody" are singular. For example, "Everyone is ready."
• 🏢 Collective Nouns: Nouns like "team," "family," and "committee" can be singular or plural depending on whether they are acting as a unit or as individuals. For example, "The team is playing well." (as a unit) vs. "The team are arguing about the strategy." (as individuals)

🌍 Real-World Examples

Let's look at some examples to clarify how subject-verb agreement works in everyday sentences:

• ✅ Correct: The dog barks loudly.
• ❌ Incorrect: The dog bark loudly.
• ✅ Correct: The students study hard.
• ❌ Incorrect: The students studies hard.
• ✅ Correct: My brother and I are going to the movies.
• ❌ Incorrect: My brother and I is going to the movies.

💡 Tips and Tricks

• 🔎Identify the Subject: Find the main subject of the sentence.
• ✏️Ignore Intervening Phrases: Phrases between the subject and verb don't affect agreement.
• 👂Read Aloud: Sometimes, your ear can tell you if something sounds wrong.

📝 Practice Quiz

Choose the correct verb form in each sentence:

1. The book (is/are) on the table.
   Answer

   is
2. My friends (play/plays) soccer after school.
   Answer

   play
3. She (go/goes) to the library every week.
   Answer

   goes
4. The birds (fly/flies) south for the winter.
   Answer

   fly
5. He (has/have) a new bicycle.
   Answer

   has
6. They (eat/eats) pizza on Fridays.
   Answer

   eat
7. The cat (sleep/sleeps) all day.
   Answer

   sleeps

⭐ Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective writing. By understanding the key principles and practicing regularly, you can avoid common errors and improve your overall communication skills. Keep practicing, and you'll become a subject-verb agreement expert in no time!