Sub-verb agreement is a fundamental concept in English grammar, and mastering it is essential to producing grammatically correct sentences. A sub-verb agreement is a relationship between a subject and its verb where the verb must agree in number with its subject. For example, a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.
Sub-verb agreement tests are a set of exercises designed to determine whether the verb in a given sentence agrees with its subject, ensuring that the sentence is grammatically correct. These tests can be especially useful for those who are learning English as a second language, as they provide an opportunity to practice and solidify their understanding of this fundamental grammar concept.
To perform a sub-verb agreement test, begin by identifying the subject and the verb in each sentence. Then, ask yourself whether the verb agrees with the subject in number. For example, in the sentence “The cat eats mice,” the subject is “the cat,” which is singular, and the verb is “eats,” which is also singular, indicating that the verb agrees with the subject.
Here are a few sub-verb agreement tests to help you practice:
Test 1: The subject is singular
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form that agrees with the subject.
1. The dog _______ his bone. (eats/eat)
2. The teacher _______ the lesson plan. (creates/create)
3. The book _______ an interesting plot. (has/have)
Test 2: The subject is plural
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form that agrees with the subject.
1. The children _______ in the park. (play/plays)
2. The students _______ their homework. (do/does)
3. The birds _______ in the trees. (sing/sings)
Test 3: Indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns such as “anyone,” “everyone,” and “someone” are singular and require a singular verb. Fill in the blank with the correct verb form that agrees with the subject.
1. Someone _______ the doorbell. (ring/rings)
2. Everyone _______ to attend the meeting. (want/wants)
3. Anyone _______ the opportunity to apply. (has/have)
In conclusion, sub-verb agreement tests are essential for anyone seeking to improve their English grammar skills. By practicing these tests, you can easily identify errors in your writing and produce sentences that are grammatically correct. Remember to always pay attention to the number of the subject and choose the appropriate verb form that agrees with it.
