Boost Your Writing Skills with this Subject-Verb Agreement Exercise
Effective communication skills are crucial in every aspect of life, whether it’s in the workplace, academic circles, or personal relationships. As a writer, your written communication skills are an essential tool to convey your message and connect with your audience. One of the most fundamental building blocks of good writing is subject-verb agreement. However, many writers struggle with this concept, leading to flawed sentences that detract from their message’s impact. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of subject-verb agreement, common pitfalls and provide exercises to improve your writing skills.
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Simply put, subject-verb agreement refers to the mutual relationship between the subject of a sentence and the verb. The verb’s form should agree with the person or thing that is speaking or acting in the sentence. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. Similarly, if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. Here’s an example of correct subject-verb agreement: “She writes every day.” Here, the subject “she” is singular, and the verb “writes” is also singular.
Importance of Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement plays a crucial role in creating clear and concise sentences. When the subject and the verb agree, readers can quickly grasp the intended meaning of the sentence, helping to avoid confusion and misinterpretation. Flawed subject-verb agreement can make your writing sound amateur, detracting from your credibility as a writer, and potentially affecting the reader’s trust in your message.
Common Subject-Verb Agreement Pitfalls
One of the most common mistakes in subject-verb agreement is with compound subjects, where two or more subjects are joined by “and” or “or.” In these cases, the verb must agree with the subject closest to it. For example, “The cat and the dog play in the yard.” Here, “cat” and “dog” are the compound subject, and the correct verb form is “play” to match the plural subject.
Another common issue occurs with collective nouns, where the subject refers to a group of people or things. In this case, the verb form should match the noun’s usage, either a singular or plural form. For example, “The committee decides on the project’s scope.” Here, “committee” is a singular noun, so the correct verb form is “decides.”
Subject-Verb Agreement Exercise
Improving your subject-verb agreement skills can take practice, and the following exercise can help you sharpen your skills:
1. Select a paragraph from a book, article, or website that you find interesting.
2. Identify the sentences that contain subject-verb agreement errors.
3. Rewrite these sentences correctly, maintaining the intent and the integrity of the original sentence.
4. Review your revised sentences, paying attention to the subject and the verb’s agreement.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental principle of good writing, and mastering it can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of your communication. With practice and attention to detail, you can improve your subject-verb agreement skills, creating clear and concise sentences that engage and connect with your readers. Don’t let flawed subject-verb agreement detract from the power of your message.
