Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammar concept taught in Class 5 of ICSE board. It is about ensuring that the subject and verb in a sentence agree with each other in terms of number and person. This means that singular subjects must take singular verbs, and plural subjects must take plural verbs.
In simpler terms, subject-verb agreement means that the verb must match the subject in terms of number and person. For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. Similarly, if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural too.
Let`s take a closer look at some examples:
– “The dog barks loudly.” Here, the subject (dog) is singular, so the verb (barks) is also singular.
– “The dogs bark loudly.” In this case, the subject (dogs) is plural, so the verb (bark) is also plural.
Subject-verb agreement becomes important when it comes to writing. Proper grammar and usage of subject-verb agreement make your writing clear and concise. It also ensures that the reader understands your meaning correctly.
Here are some tips to help you master subject-verb agreement:
1. Identify the subject: The first step in getting subject-verb agreement right is identifying the subject. Look for the noun or pronoun that the verb is referring to.
2. Determine the number: Once you have identified the subject, determine whether it is singular or plural. Singular subjects take a singular verb, while plural subjects take a plural verb.
3. Be aware of irregular verbs: Some verbs do not follow the regular pattern of adding -s for the third person singular. For instance, `to be` is an irregular verb, and its forms are `am,` `is,` and `are.` So, it`s important to memorize irregular verbs and their forms.
4. Watch out for compound subjects: When two or more subjects are connected by `and,` the verb should be plural. For instance, “The dog and the cat play together.”
5. Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns like `everyone,` `someone,` and `anyone` are always singular. So the verbs used with them should also be singular.
Mastering subject-verb agreement takes practice and patience. By following the tips mentioned above, you will be able to write grammatically correct sentences that are easy to read and understand.