Detailed guide on the 10 rules of subject-verb agreement with explanations and examples, ideal for ESL and TEFL learners.


Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement: Essential Rules and Examples

 

Introduction to Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures sentences are grammatically correct and clearly understood. The rules of subject-verb agreement dictate that the subject and verb in a sentence must match in number, meaning both must be singular or both must be plural. This lesson will explore the 10 essential rules of subject-verb agreement, providing detailed explanations and numerous examples to help you grasp these important concepts.

By the end of this lesson, you will understand how to apply these rules in various contexts, improving your ability to construct accurate sentences. This knowledge is particularly beneficial for ESL and TEFL learners, as it lays the foundation for effective communication in English. Additionally, we will highlight useful vocabulary and phrases related to subject-verb agreement, ensuring you have the tools needed to practise and master these rules.

Useful Vocabulary for Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement:

  • Singular
  • Plural
  • Indefinite pronouns
  • Collective nouns
  • Conjunctions
  • Subject-verb agreement

 

Detailed Explanations and Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

 

Rule 1: Singular and Plural Subjects

  1. Meaning: The subject and verb must agree in number.
  2. Example: He goes to work by bus.
  3. Example: They visit us every other week.
  4. Example: She enjoys reading books.

Rule 2: Phrases with "with," "as well as," "together with," "along with"

  1. Meaning: These phrases are not part of the subject, and the verb agrees with the main subject.
  2. Example: The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
  3. Example: The teacher, as well as the students, was excited about the trip.
  4. Example: The captain, together with his crew, is ready for the voyage.

Rule 3: Two Subjects Joined by "and"

  1. Meaning: Generally, two subjects joined by "and" are plural.
  2. Example: Mary and Joan are quite different.
  3. Example: My brother and sister live in London.
  4. Exception: When referring to a single entity or dish.
  5. Example: Bacon and eggs is my favourite dish.
  6. Example: Fish and chips is a popular meal.

Rule 4: Collective Nouns

  1. Meaning: The verb can be singular or plural depending on the meaning.
  2. Example: The audience was clearly enchanted by her performance.
  3. Example: The audience are strangely subdued, clapping politely after each song.
  4. Example: The team is winning the match.

Rule 5: Subjects Joined by "or," "nor," "either...or," "neither...nor"

  1. Meaning: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
  2. Example: Neither my mother nor my father goes to university.
  3. Example: Either the students or the teacher is responsible for the decoration.
  4. Example: Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the change.

Rule 6: Sentences Beginning with "Here" or "There"

  1. Meaning: The true subject follows the verb.
  2. Example: There is a bush near the school playground.
  3. Example: Here are the documents you requested.
  4. Example: There are many reasons to visit Paris.

Rule 7: Singular Indefinite Pronouns

  1. Meaning: The verb is singular if the subject is a singular indefinite pronoun.
  2. Example: Nobody gets rich from writing nowadays.
  3. Example: Each of the participants has a unique talent.
  4. Example: Everyone is invited to the party.

Rule 8: Plural Indefinite Pronouns

  1. Meaning: The verb is plural if the subject is a plural indefinite pronoun.
  2. Example: Several villages have been isolated by the heavy snowfall.
  3. Example: Both of the options are acceptable.
  4. Example: Few have seen such beauty.

Rule 9: Indefinite Pronouns (Singular or Plural)

  1. Meaning: Some indefinite pronouns may be either singular or plural, depending on their use.
  2. Example: Some of the books are out of place. (Books are countable.)
  3. Example: Some of the music was weird. (Music is uncountable.)
  4. Example: All of the cake is gone.

Rule 10: Expressions of Measurement, Time, Money, and Weight

  1. Meaning: Use a singular verb when the amount is considered one unit.
  2. Example: Fifty dollars seems a reasonable price.
  3. Example: Five dollars were scattered on the ground.
  4. Example: Ten minutes is enough to complete the task.

Additional Examples and Meanings

Plural Form Subjects with Singular Meaning

  1. Meaning: Subjects like mumps, measles, gymnastics take a singular verb.
  2. Example: Gymnastics is his favourite sport.
  3. Example: Measles is a contagious disease.
  4. Example: Statistics is a challenging course.

Titles of Single Entities

  1. Meaning: Titles of books, organizations, countries are always singular.
  2. Example: Harry Potter is an interesting novel.
  3. Example: The United Nations is headquartered in New York.
  4. Example: The Chronicles of Narnia is a beloved series.

Summary and Takeaways

Exercises You Can Do Alone

Practise subject-verb agreement by writing sentences using different subjects and verbs, ensuring they agree in number. Create flashcards with rules and examples to test yourself regularly. Rewrite sentences that contain subject-verb agreement errors to correct them.

Lesson Summary

This lesson covered the 10 essential rules of subject-verb agreement, providing detailed explanations and over 50 examples to illustrate each rule. Learners now have a thorough understanding of how to ensure subjects and verbs agree in various contexts, enhancing their grammatical accuracy.

Key Phrases Learnt

Key phrases learnt include "singular subject," "plural subject," "collective nouns," "indefinite pronouns," and "expressions of measurement." These phrases are crucial for mastering subject-verb agreement.

Tips on Remembering the Lesson

Review these rules frequently and practise using them in your writing. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement in sentences you read or hear, and try to identify the rules being applied. Engage in grammar exercises and quizzes to reinforce your understanding.

Encouraging Sharing and Interaction

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