Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule in English grammar. It ensures that the verb in a sentence agrees with the subject in terms of number and person. Getting subject-verb agreement right is crucial for clear and effective communication.
In this unit, we will explore the answer key for the subject-verb agreement exercises. By understanding the correct answers, you will gain a better understanding of how to form grammatically correct sentences and avoid common mistakes.
This answer key will provide explanations and examples for each exercise, guiding you through the process of choosing the correct verb form based on the subject. It will cover singular subjects, plural subjects, indefinite pronouns, and more.
By studying the subject-verb agreement answer key, you will improve your written and spoken English, making your communication more accurate and professional. Let’s dive in and master this essential grammar rule!
Unit 7 Subject-Verb Agreement Answer Key
In Unit 7, we learned about subject-verb agreement in English grammar. Subject-verb agreement is the matching of the subject and verb in a sentence, ensuring they agree in number and person. This means that a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. Let’s review the answer key for the exercises in this unit to practice subject-verb agreement.
Exercise 1
The answers for Exercise 1 are as follows:
- 1. The cat sleeps peacefully on the mat.
- 2. The dogs bark loudly in the park.
- 3. The bird flies freely in the sky.
- 4. The children play happily in the playground.
- 5. The teacher teaches the students in the classroom.
Exercise 2
The answers for Exercise 2 are as follows:
- 1. My friends and I are going to the movies tonight.
- 2. The book that I bought is very interesting.
- 3. His car keys are on the table.
- 4. The team with the green jerseys wins the game.
- 5. The bag of apples in the kitchen is for baking.
Exercise 3
The answers for Exercise 3 are as follows:
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| The dog | is |
| My friends and I | are |
| The company | has |
| The children | are |
| One of the books | is |
By reviewing this answer key, you can practice and solidify your understanding of subject-verb agreement. Remember to always match the subject and verb correctly in your sentences to ensure clear and grammatically correct communication.
What is subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that states that the subject and the verb in a sentence must agree in number. In other words, a singular subject should have a singular verb, and a plural subject should have a plural verb. This agreement is important to maintain the clarity and accuracy of the sentence.
When forming a sentence, it is crucial to ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in terms of number. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular:
- Singular subject: The cat plays with a ball.
On the other hand, if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well:
- Plural subject: The cats play with a ball.
In addition to number, subject-verb agreement also considers other factors such as tense and person. It is important to pay attention to these factors to ensure that the subject and the verb are correctly matched.
Subject-verb agreement can sometimes be tricky, especially when dealing with complex sentence structures or when the subject and the verb are separated by other words. However, by understanding the basic rules and practicing with various examples, one can master subject-verb agreement and write grammatically correct sentences.
Why is subject-verb agreement important?
Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammatical concept that ensures clarity and accuracy in communication. When the subject and verb in a sentence do not agree in number, it can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. A sentence must have a clear and consistent structure to convey its intended meaning.
Subject-verb agreement helps to establish proper grammatical relationships within a sentence. The subject is the doer of the action, while the verb represents the action itself. They must match in number (singular or plural) to maintain grammatical correctness. When a subject and verb do not agree, it can indicate a lack of understanding or attention to detail, which can negatively impact the message being conveyed.
Subject-verb agreement also plays a crucial role in maintaining coherence and cohesion in writing. It helps to create a smooth flow of ideas and thoughts, making it easier for the reader to comprehend the intended message. By ensuring that the subject and verb are in agreement, the writer can maintain proper grammatical structure and avoid confusion or ambiguity.
Moreover, subject-verb agreement is important for maintaining professionalism in both written and spoken communication. Using correct grammar demonstrates a level of competence and attention to detail, which is highly valued in various fields, such as business, academia, and professional writing. Proper subject-verb agreement reflects the writer or speaker’s ability to effectively convey their message and maintain the credibility of their work.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear, accurate, and professional communication. It helps to establish grammatical correctness, maintain coherence, and demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Paying attention to subject-verb agreement enhances the effectiveness of one’s communication and ensures that the intended message is received accurately.
Common Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
Subject-verb agreement is an important aspect of English grammar. It ensures that the subject and the verb in a sentence agree in number. However, there are some common errors that people often make when it comes to subject-verb agreement.
1. Agreement with compound subjects
When a sentence has a compound subject, consisting of two or more nouns or pronouns joined by “and,” the verb should be plural. For example, in the sentence “John and Mary go to the park,” the subject “John and Mary” is plural, so the verb “go” should also be plural.
2. Agreement with collective nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things as a whole. They can be singular or plural, depending on whether the group is seen as a single unit or as individuals. For example, in the sentence “The team is practicing,” the collective noun “team” is singular and requires a singular verb. However, in the sentence “The team are arguing,” the collective noun “team” is seen as individuals and requires a plural verb.
3. Agreement with indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone,” “someone,” and “everyone,” are singular and require a singular verb. For example, in the sentence “Someone is waiting for you,” the indefinite pronoun “someone” is singular, so the verb “is” should also be singular.
4. Agreement with inverted word order
When using inverted word order, where the subject comes after the verb, it is important to still have subject-verb agreement. For example, in the sentence “Not only does she like to read, but she also enjoys writing,” the subject “she” comes after the verb “does,” but the verb agrees with the subject in number.
- Overall, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar. By being aware of these common errors and practicing proper subject-verb agreement, one can enhance their writing and communication skills.
Tips for improving subject-verb agreement
Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that helps ensure clarity and accuracy in writing. When the subject and verb in a sentence do not agree in number, it can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. Here are some tips to improve subject-verb agreement:
- Identify the subject: Before choosing the correct verb form, it is crucial to identify the subject of the sentence. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. Pay attention to whether the subject is singular or plural.
- Match the subject and verb: Once you have identified the subject, choose the corresponding verb form that agrees with the subject in terms of number. Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs.
- Pay attention to indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns such as “everyone,” “someone,” and “each” are singular and should be paired with singular verbs. For example, “Everyone is responsible for their own actions.”
- Be aware of collective nouns: Collective nouns, which refer to a group of individuals as a whole, can be singular or plural depending on the context. If the group is acting collectively, use a singular verb; if the individuals in the group are acting separately, use a plural verb. For example, “The team is practicing” versus “The team are arguing.”
- Ignore phrases between the subject and verb: Sometimes, there may be phrases or clauses between the subject and verb that can confuse the agreement. Focus on the subject and verb directly and ignore any intervening words or phrases.
In summary, subject-verb agreement is an important skill to master in order to communicate effectively in writing. By identifying the subject, matching it with the correct verb form, and paying attention to specific grammar rules, you can improve your subject-verb agreement and enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.
Subject-Verb Agreement Exercises with Answer Key
When it comes to subject-verb agreement, it is important to match the subject of a sentence with the appropriate verb form. This helps to ensure that the sentence is grammatically correct and makes sense. Here are some exercises to practice subject-verb agreement, along with their answer key:
Exercise 1:
Instructions: Choose the correct verb form that agrees with the subject in each sentence.
- The dog _______ (bark) loudly at the mailman.
- My friends _______ (enjoy) playing basketball on the weekends.
- She _______ (run) every morning before work.
- The books _______ (be) on the shelf in the library.
- We _______ (visit) our grandparents every summer.
Answer Key:
- The dog barks loudly at the mailman.
- My friends enjoy playing basketball on the weekends.
- She runs every morning before work.
- The books are on the shelf in the library.
- We visit our grandparents every summer.
Exercise 2:
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the correct verb form that agrees with the subject.
- John _______ (write) a letter to his grandmother.
- The birds _______ (sing) beautifully in the morning.
- My parents _______ (cook) dinner every evening.
- The students _______ (study) for their exams.
- I _______ (love) to read books in my free time.
Answer Key:
- John writes a letter to his grandmother.
- The birds sing beautifully in the morning.
- My parents cook dinner every evening.
- The students study for their exams.
- I love to read books in my free time.
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammar rule that ensures a proper agreement between the subject and verb in a sentence. When writing or speaking in English, it is important to follow these rules to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.
1. Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs.
For example:
- The cat jumps over the fence.
- The cats jump over the fence.
In the first sentence, the subject “cat” is singular, so the verb “jumps” agrees with it. In the second sentence, the subject “cats” is plural, so the verb “jump” agrees with it.
2. When the subject is joined by “and,” use a plural verb.
For example:
- John and Mary are going to the party.
In this sentence, the subjects “John” and “Mary” are joined by “and,” so the plural verb “are” agrees with them.
3. Indefinite pronouns such as “everyone,” “somebody,” and “each” always take singular verbs.
For example:
- Everyone loves ice cream.
In this sentence, the indefinite pronoun “everyone” is singular, so the verb “loves” agrees with it.
4. Subjects that represent a unit, such as “the team” or “the government,” take singular verbs.
For example:
- The team wins the championship.
In this sentence, the subject “the team” represents a collective unit, so the singular verb “wins” agrees with it.
These are just a few of the subject-verb agreement rules in English. By following these rules, you can ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and convey your intended meaning clearly.
Examples of subject-verb agreement
In English grammar, subject-verb agreement refers to the correspondence in number between a subject and its verb. Here are some examples that illustrate this agreement:
- Singular subject + singular verb: The dog barks at the moon.
- Plural subject + plural verb: The dogs bark at the moon.
- Singular subject + singular verb: She walks to school every day.
- Plural subject + plural verb: They walk to school every day.
- Singular subject + singular verb: The car drives slowly on the highway.
- Plural subject + plural verb: The cars drive slowly on the highway.
These examples demonstrate how the verb changes its form to agree with the subject in terms of number. When the subject is singular, the verb takes the singular form. When the subject is plural, the verb takes the plural form.
Subject-verb agreement is an important rule in English grammar as it helps maintain grammatical consistency and clarity in writing and speaking. It is essential to pay attention to this agreement to ensure proper communication.