Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of the English language, and it is crucial for students to have a clear understanding of it. As class 8 students, it is essential to have a firm grip on the subject-verb agreement rules to communicate effectively in the language and express ideas clearly. In this article, we will discuss some tips to ace your test on subject-verb agreement.
Tip #1: Identify the subject and verb
One of the most important things to keep in mind while attempting the subject-verb agreement test is to identify the subject and verb in a sentence. The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action, and the verb is the action word in the sentence. Check if the subject is singular or plural and accord the verb accordingly. For example, “The girl sings” is correct, but “The girl sing” is incorrect as the verb `sing` does not agree with its singular subject `girl.`
Tip #2: Understand the agreement rules
Class 8 students need to be familiar with the basic subject-verb agreement rules. For example, singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. Similarly, if the subject is a compound subject, use a plural verb. Another rule is that when the subject is connected by `or,` the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. For instance, “Neither the cat nor the dogs are allowed inside” is incorrect since the subject `dogs` is plural, but the verb `are` is singular.
Tip #3: Look out for tricky sentences
Sometimes, sentences can be tricky, and identifying the subject and verb can be challenging. For example, “The basket of apples is/are heavy.” In this sentence, the subject is `basket` which is singular, but some students may think it is `apples` as it follows the subject. Therefore, it is essential to read the sentence thoroughly to spot such tricky sentences.
Tip #4: Practice regularly
The key to acing your subject-verb agreement test is regular practice. Solve as many exercises and worksheets as you can to test your understanding of the rules. You can also practice by identifying the subject and verb in the sentences you read and correcting them accordingly.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential skill that students must master to communicate effectively in the English language. By following the above tips, you can improve your understanding of the rules and ace your test on subject-verb agreement in class 8. Keep practicing and make sure to read the sentences carefully to avoid making common mistakes.