Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar that determines the accuracy and clarity of language. It is imperative for writers and editors to have a stronghold on this grammatical rule to ensure that the text flows smoothly and the reader understands the intended meaning. A subject-verb agreement test is an effective way to assess one`s understanding of this rule. In this article, we will discuss subject-verb agreement tests with answers.
What is the Subject-Verb Agreement Rule?
The subject-verb agreement rule specifies that the verb of a sentence must agree with its subject in number, whether it is singular or plural. For instance, if we have a singular subject, the verb must be singular as well, and if we have a plural subject, the verb must be plural.
Examples:
Singular subject: The dog barks.
Plural subject: The dogs bark.
In the above examples, `barks` agrees with `dog,` which is singular, and `bark` agrees with `dogs,` which is plural.
Types of Subject-Verb Agreement Tests
There are different types of subject-verb agreement tests that assess different aspects of the rule:
1. Basic Subject-Verb Agreement Test
The basic subject-verb agreement test involves simple sentences with one subject and one verb. The purpose of this test is to determine if a writer can match a singular subject with a singular verb and a plural subject with a plural verb.
Example:
The cat ____ on the roof. (sits/sit)
Answer: The cat sits on the roof.
2. Compound Subject-Verb Agreement Test
The compound subject-verb agreement test comprises sentences with multiple subjects and one verb. The purpose of this test is to evaluate if writers can correctly match the verb with the subject’s number.
Example:
The cat and the dog ____ playful. (is/are)
Answer: The cat and the dog are playful.
3. Indefinite Pronoun Agreement Test
The indefinite pronoun agreement test focuses on sentences that use indefinite pronouns as subjects. The purpose of this test is to confirm if writers understand that some indefinite pronouns are singular and some are plural, and that the verb should agree accordingly.
Example:
Everyone ____ in their own way. (expresses/express)
Answer: Everyone expresses in their own way.
4. Collective Noun Agreement Test
The collective noun agreement test focuses on sentences that use collective nouns as subjects. The purpose of this test is to determine if the writer can identify whether a collective noun is singular or plural and match the verb accordingly.
Example:
The team ____ the game. (wins/win)
Answer: The team wins the game.
Answers to the Subject-Verb Agreement Tests
1. Basic Subject-Verb Agreement Test
The cat sits on the roof.
2. Compound Subject-Verb Agreement Test
The cat and the dog are playful.
3. Indefinite Pronoun Agreement Test
Everyone expresses in their own way.
4. Collective Noun Agreement Test
The team wins the game.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that cannot be ignored. It is essential to practice subject-verb agreement tests to enhance writing skills, increase accuracy and fluency, and improve communication. The tests discussed in this article are a great way to start practicing subject-verb agreement. By taking these tests, writers and editors can improve their writing skills and enhance the effectiveness of their communication.