Noun verb agreement is an essential aspect in English grammar, which involves making sure that the noun and verb in a sentence agree in number. When a noun is singular, the verb used should be singular, and when a noun is plural, the verb used should be plural. Failing to maintain noun verb agreement in a sentence can result in incorrect grammar and communication.
To master noun verb agreement, one must practice the rules thoroughly. This article will provide some noun verb agreement exercises to help improve your grammar skills.
Exercise 1: Singular and Plural Nouns
The first step in improving your noun verb agreement skills is to understand the basic concept. In this exercise, you will have to identify whether the given nouns are singular or plural and choose the correct form of the verb.
Example: The cat (sleeps/sleep) on the sofa.
Answer: The cat sleeps on the sofa.
Explanation: The noun cat is singular, and hence the verb used should also be singular.
1. The children (play/plays) in the park.
2. My sister (is/are) a good cook.
3. The flowers (bloom/blooms) in spring.
4. The dog (barks/bark) at strangers.
5. The girls (study/studies) hard for their exams.
Exercise 2: Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to an unknown or unspecified person, thing, or amount. These pronouns can be singular or plural, and the verb used with them should agree in number.
Example: Everyone (has/have) to attend the meeting.
Answer: Everyone has to attend the meeting.
Explanation: Everyone is an indefinite pronoun that means every person. It is considered singular, and hence the verb has been used in its singular form.
1. Somebody (has/have) left the door open.
2. Any of the books (is/are) fine for me to read.
3. Each of the students (is/are) required to submit the assignment.
4. None of the boys (has/have) arrived yet.
5. Either of the options (is/are) suitable for the project.
Exercise 3: Subject-Verb Agreement in Complex Sentences
In this exercise, you will have to identify the subject and verb in complex sentences and ensure that they agree in number.
Example: The cat that lives down the street (is/are) very friendly.
Answer: The cat that lives down the street is very friendly.
Explanation: The subject in this sentence is cat, which is singular. Hence the verb used is singular.
1. The cars that were parked on the street (need/needs) to be moved.
2. The students who live in the dormitory (study/studies) late at night.
3. The book, as well as the pen, (was/were) on the table.
4. The teacher, along with the students, (was/were) excited for the school trip.
5. The bed, as well as the pillows, (was/were) in the guest room.
By practicing these noun verb agreement exercises, you can quickly improve your grammar and communication skills. Remember, mastering noun verb agreement is essential in writing error-free, clear, and concise content that readers can easily understand.