Identify and correct errors with subject-verb agreement

Key Notes:

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

• 📌 The subject of a sentence and its verb must agree in number.
• 👩‍🏫 Singular subject → singular verb
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Plural subject → plural verb

Examples:

• She runs fast. 🏃‍♀️ (singular)
• They run fast. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ (plural)

Rules to Remember

Rule 1: Singular & Plural Subjects

• Singular nouns take verbs with -s or -es in the present tense.
  • Example: The cat chases the mouse. 🐱🐭
• Plural nouns do not take -s in the present tense.
  • Example: The cats chase the mouse. 🐱🐱

Rule 2: Subjects Joined by “and”

• Two subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb.
  • Example: Raju and Priya are friends. 👦👧
• Exception: If they refer to a single person or thing, use singular.
  • Example: Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite snack. 🥪

Rule 3: Subjects Joined by “or” / “nor”

• Verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
  • Example: Either the teacher or the students have a notebook. 📝
  • Example: Neither the students nor the teacher is ready. 🎓

Rule 4: Indefinite Pronouns

• Singular: each, everyone, somebody → singular verb
  • Example: Everyone is happy. 😄
• Plural: few, many, several → plural verb
  • Example: Many are coming to the party. 🎉

Rule 5: Collective Nouns

• Words like team, family, class → usually singular (considered as one unit)
  • Example: The team wins the match. ⚽
• But if members act individually → plural
  • Example: The team are arguing among themselves. 😠

Rule 6: Titles, Words as Subjects, and Amounts

• Titles of books, movies, and amounts → singular verb
  • Example: Harry Potter is amazing. 📚
  • Example: Five rupees is enough. 💰

Common Errors & Corrections

❌ Incorrect	✅ Correct	Explanation
The dogs barks loudly.	The dogs bark loudly.	Plural subject → plural verb 🐕🐕
He go to school daily.	He goes to school daily.	Singular subject → singular verb 👦🏫
Everyone have a pen.	Everyone has a pen.	Indefinite pronoun → singular verb ✏️
The team are winning.	The team is winning.	Collective noun as single unit 🏆

Quick Tips for Students

• 🔍 Always find the subject first.
• ✨ Ignore words between subject and verb (e.g., along with, together with).
• 📚 Practice with tricky sentences to master agreement.