CEPT Practice Grammar Tips and Tricks: Subject-Verb Agreement

CEPT Practice Grammar Tips and Tricks: Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of grammar that ensures the harmony between the subject and the verb in a sentence. It is essential to match the number (singular or plural) of the subject with the appropriate form of the verb. Here's an explanation along with examples and guidelines for different cases:

1 Singular Subject and Singular Verb:

Example: The cat sleeps peacefully.

Guidelines: When the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. Add an "-s" or "-es" to the base form of the verb.

2 Plural Subject and Plural Verb:

Example: The cats sleep peacefully.

Guidelines: When the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. Use the base form of the verb without any additional suffixes.

3 Compound Subjects:

Example: Mary and John go to the park.

Guidelines: When the subject consists of two or more nouns joined by "and," use a plural verb.

4 Compound Subjects with "or" or "nor":

Example: Neither John nor Mary is attending the party.

Guidelines: When the compound subject is joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. If the closest subject is singular, use a singular verb; if it is plural, use a plural verb.

5 Indefinite Pronouns:

Example: Everyone is invited to the meeting.

Guidelines: Some indefinite pronouns, such as "everyone," "somebody," and "each," are singular. Use a singular verb with these pronouns.

6 Indefinite Pronouns That Can Be Singular or Plural:

Example: Some of the cake has/have been eaten.

Guidelines: Indefinite pronouns like "some," "any," "all," "most," and "none" can be singular or plural, depending on the context. Consider the noun that follows the pronoun to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb.

7 Collective Nouns:

Example: The team is practicing for the game.

Guidelines: Collective nouns, referring to a group as a single entity, can be singular or plural. When the collective noun is considered as a unit, use a singular verb. When it refers to individual members or actions, use a plural verb.

8 Agreement with Titles, Words as Subjects, and Intervening Phrases:

Example: The book on the table belongs to me.

Guidelines: Ignore words like "on," "in," or "between" when determining the subject-verb agreement. The subject is the noun that the sentence is truly about.

9 Agreement with Indeterminate Pronouns:

Example: Each of the students has completed their assignment.

Guidelines: When using indeterminate pronouns like "each," "every," or "either," treat them as singular and use a singular verb. However, when these pronouns are followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural object (e.g., "students"), some writers prefer using plural pronouns for gender neutrality, even though it may not strictly follow grammatical agreement.

10 Agreement with Words as Subjects:

Example: The result of the election is unexpected.

Guidelines: Sometimes the subject of a sentence can be a word or phrase that is not grammatically a noun, but it functions as the subject. In these cases, treat the word or phrase as singular or plural, depending on its meaning, and use the corresponding verb.

11 Agreement with "None":

Example: None of the students were able to answer the question.

Guidelines: "None" can be treated as singular or plural, depending on the context. When "none" refers to something countable, it often takes a plural verb. However, when it refers to an uncountable concept or means "not one," it usually takes a singular verb.

12 Agreement with Fractional Expressions:

Example: Two-thirds of the cake has been eaten.

Guidelines: Fractional expressions like "two-thirds," "half," or "a quarter" are considered singular and take a singular verb.

Remember to consider the number of the subject and choose the verb accordingly. Pay attention to special cases like compound subjects, indefinite pronouns, and collective nouns to ensure proper subject-verb agreement in your writing.

Here's a multiple-choice test to assess knowledge of subject-verb agreement:

Question 1:

The team ____________ for the championship next week.

A) is playing

B) are playing

C) play

D) plays

Question 2:

Neither of the books ____________ on the shelf.

A) is

B) are

C) were

D) be

Question 3:

One of the students ____________ late for class yesterday.

A) was

B) were

C) have been

D) is

Question 4:

My brother and I ____________ going to the concert tonight.

A) is

B) are

C) be

D) am

Question 5:

The news ____________ shocking to everyone.

A) is

B) are

C) were

D) be

Question 6:

Each of the students ____________ their textbooks to class.

A) brings

B) bring

C) has brought

D) have brought

Question 7:

None of the food ____________ left in the refrigerator.

A) is

B) are

C) were

D) be

Question 8:

The committee ____________ discussing the proposed changes.

A) is

B) are

C) were

D) be

Question 9:

Several options ____________ available for the customers to choose from.

A) is

B) are

C) were

D) be

Question 10:

The majority of the votes ____________ in favor of the new policy.

A) is

B) are

C) were

D) be

Answers:

1. A) is playing
2. A) is
3. A) was
4. B) are
5. A) is
6. A) brings
7. A) is
8. A) is
9. B) are
10. A) is