j$k5270378j$k
Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammar concept that every student must understand. As a grade 10 student, it is crucial to master this concept to communicate effectively in writing and speaking. To help you improve your subject-verb agreement skills, here are some exercises you can practice.
1. Identify the subject
The first step in understanding subject-verb agreement is to identify the subject of the sentence. Look for the noun or pronoun that performs the action in the sentence. For example, in the sentence “The cat sleeps,” the subject is “cat.”
Exercise: Identify the subject in the following sentences.
a. The students are studying.
b. She plays the piano.
c. The book is on the shelf.
d. They will go on vacation.
2. Choose the correct verb form
Once you have identified the subject, you need to choose the correct verb form that agrees with it. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb form, and if the subject is plural, use a plural verb form. For example, in the sentence “The cat sleeps,” the verb “sleeps” is singular because the subject “cat” is also singular.
Exercise: Choose the correct verb form in the following sentences.
a. The cat (sleeps, sleep) on the bed.
b. The boys (plays, play) basketball at the park.
c. She (is, are) a talented musician.
d. The committee (has, have) decided to postpone the meeting.
3. Watch out for tricky subjects
Sometimes, a subject can be tricky, causing confusion in subject-verb agreement. For example, collective nouns, such as “family” or “team,” can be singular or plural depending on context. In the sentence “The family is going on vacation,” the subject “family” is singular because it refers to a single unit.
Exercise: Choose the correct verb form for the following tricky subjects.
a. The audience (claps, clap) their hands.
b. The committee (is, are) divided on the issue.
c. The team (has, have) won the championship.
d. My family (is, are) planning a trip to the beach.
4. Practice with complex sentences
As you become more confident with subject-verb agreement, it`s essential to practice with complex sentences. These sentences may have multiple subjects or be in a passive voice, which can make subject-verb agreement more challenging.
Exercise: Choose the correct verb form for the following complex sentences.
a. The cake, along with the cupcakes, (was, were) delicious.
b. The books that I borrowed from the library (is, are) due next week.
c. The flowers in the garden (needs, need) water every day.
d. The movie, as well as the book on which it is based, (is, are) popular among teenagers.
By practicing these exercises on subject-verb agreement, you can improve your grammar skills and communicate more effectively. Remember to always identify the subject and use the correct verb form that agrees with it. Keep practicing, and you`ll be a subject-verb agreement pro in no time!