Grammar Subject Verb Agreement Worksheet

Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: A Comprehensive Worksheet and Guide

Subject-verb agreement, the grammatical rule requiring a verb to agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject, is a cornerstone of clear and effective writing. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed explanation of subject-verb agreement rules, common pitfalls, and a substantial worksheet to solidify your understanding. Mastering this crucial grammar concept will significantly enhance your writing skills, making your sentences precise and your message impactful.

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement: The Basics

At its core, subject-verb agreement means that singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. Seems simple, right? However, many complexities arise due to intervening phrases, compound subjects, and unusual sentence structures. Let's break down the fundamental rules:

Rule 1: Singular Subjects Take Singular Verbs:

• Example: The dog barks loudly. (Singular subject, singular verb)
• Example: The cat sleeps all day. (Singular subject, singular verb)

Rule 2: Plural Subjects Take Plural Verbs:

• Example: The dogs bark loudly. (Plural subject, plural verb)
• Example: The cats sleep all day. (Plural subject, plural verb)

Rule 3: Indefinite Pronouns: These pronouns (e.g., everyone, anybody, someone, no one, each, either, neither) are always singular and take singular verbs.

• Example: Everyone is invited to the party.
• Example: Nobody knows the answer.
• Example: Each of the students has submitted their assignment.

Rule 4: Collective Nouns: These nouns (e.g., team, family, group, committee) can be singular or plural depending on whether they refer to the group as a single unit or to the individual members.

• Example: The team plays well together. (Team as a unit – singular verb)
• Example: The team are arguing amongst themselves. (Team members individually – plural verb)

Rule 5: Compound Subjects Joined by "and": Usually, compound subjects joined by "and" take a plural verb.

• Example: John and Mary are going to the movies.

Rule 6: Compound Subjects Joined by "or" or "nor": The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

• Example: Neither the cat nor the dogs are sleeping.
• Example: Either the dogs or the cat is sleeping.

Rule 7: Subjects Followed by Prepositional Phrases: Ignore the prepositional phrase (the phrase beginning with a preposition like of, in, to, with, by) when determining subject-verb agreement. The verb agrees with the subject, not the object of the preposition.

• Example: The box of chocolates is delicious. (The subject is "box," not "chocolates")
• Example: A fleet of ships is approaching the coast.

Tricky Cases and Exceptions: Refining Your Understanding

Several situations can make subject-verb agreement challenging. Let's delve into these nuances:

1. Inverted Sentence Structure: In sentences where the verb comes before the subject (often in questions or sentences beginning with "there" or "here"), carefully identify the subject to ensure correct agreement.

• Example: There are many reasons for this. (Subject: reasons)
• Example: Here comes the bus. (Subject: bus)
• Example: Does she like the movie? (Subject: she)

2. Intervening Phrases: Phrases or clauses between the subject and the verb do not affect subject-verb agreement.

• Example: The player, along with his teammates, is celebrating the victory. (Subject: player)

3. Fractional Expressions: The verb agrees with the noun following "of."

• Example: One-third of the apples are rotten.
• Example: Two-thirds of the cake is gone.

4. Titles and Names: Titles and names, even if plural in form, generally take a singular verb.

• Example: "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is a classic novel.
• Example: "The Beatles" was a hugely influential band.

5. Units of Measurement: Units of measurement typically take a singular verb, especially when referring to a single quantity.

• Example: Five gallons of paint is enough.
• Example: Ten dollars is a small price to pay.

6. Amounts of Money or Time: Amounts of money or time are usually treated as singular.

• Example: Ten dollars is all I have.
• Example: Five years is a long time.

Subject-Verb Agreement Worksheet: Practice Makes Perfect

This worksheet provides ample opportunity to practice your subject-verb agreement skills. Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

Instructions: Select the correct verb form in parentheses to complete each sentence.

1. The dog (bark, barks) loudly at the mailman.
2. The cats (sleep, sleeps) peacefully in the sun.
3. Everyone (is, are) invited to the party.
4. Somebody (has, have) left their bag in the classroom.
5. Neither the teacher nor the students (understand, understands) the assignment.
6. Either the book or the articles (contain, contains) the necessary information.
7. The team (play, plays) exceptionally well this season.
8. The team (are, is) preparing for the championship game.
9. The box of chocolates (is, are) a delightful gift.
10. A flock of birds (fly, flies) overhead.
11. There (is, are) many reasons for his success.
12. Here (come, comes) the parade.
13. The player, along with his teammates, (is, are) interviewed by reporters.
14. One-fourth of the pizza (is, are) left.
15. "War and Peace" (is, are) a lengthy novel.
16. The Rolling Stones (was, were) a legendary rock band.
17. Five kilograms of flour (is, are) needed for the recipe.
18. Twenty dollars (is, are) not a lot of money these days.
19. Two years (is, are) a short time to complete the project.
20. The committee (has, have) made their final decision.
21. Each of the applicants (has, have) submitted their resume.
22. No one (know, knows) the exact answer.
23. A number of students (was, were) absent from class today.
24. The majority of the evidence (point, points) to his innocence.
25. The flock of geese (is, are) migrating south for the winter.
26. The data (support, supports) the hypothesis.
27. The crowd (cheer, cheers) wildly for their favorite team.
28. My family (is, are) going on vacation next week.
29. The group of friends (plan, plans) a weekend getaway.
30. Neither rain nor snow (delay, delays) the mail.

Answer Key: Subject-Verb Agreement Worksheet

1. barks
2. sleep
3. is
4. has
5. understand
6. contain
7. plays
8. are
9. is
10. fly
11. are
12. comes
13. is
14. is
15. is
16. were
17. is
18. is
19. is
20. has
21. has
22. knows
23. were
24. points
25. are
26. supports
27. cheer
28. is
29. plans
30. delays

Conclusion: Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement for Polished Writing

Consistent subject-verb agreement is a hallmark of proficient writing. By understanding the core rules, exceptions, and common pitfalls, you can significantly improve the clarity and precision of your writing. Regular practice, utilizing resources like this worksheet, is key to mastering this fundamental grammatical concept. With dedicated effort, you will confidently navigate the complexities of subject-verb agreement, creating polished and effective written communication. Remember, grammatical accuracy is not merely about following rules; it's about conveying your message with precision and impact, ensuring your writing resonates with your audience. So keep practicing, and your writing will shine!