Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar. It involves matching the subject of a sentence with the corresponding verb in tense and number. Inaccurate subject-verb agreement can confuse readers and make writing difficult to understand. It is, therefore, essential to master this aspect of the English language.

The following subject-verb agreement exam with answers will help you test your understanding of the rules governing subject-verb agreement.

Example 1:

Incorrect sentence: The dogs barking loudly.

Correct sentence: The dogs are barking loudly.

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “dogs,” which is plural. Therefore, the verb “are” should match the subject in number.

Example 2:

Incorrect sentence: Each of the students in the class write their name on the board.

Correct sentence: Each of the students in the class writes his or her name on the board.

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “each,” which is singular. Therefore, the verb “writes” should match the subject in number. Additionally, using “their” to refer to a singular subject is incorrect. The correct pronoun to use is “his or her.”

Example 3:

Incorrect sentence: The group of friends is going to a movie.

Correct sentence: The group of friends are going to a movie.

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “group,” which is singular. However, the subject is “friends,” which is plural. Therefore, the verb “are” should match the subject in number.

Example 4:

Incorrect sentence: Neither the manager nor the employees were happy with the decision.

Correct sentence: Neither the manager nor the employees was happy with the decision.

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “neither,” which is singular. Therefore, the verb “was” should match the subject in number.

Example 5:

Incorrect sentence: The number of people attending the concert is staggering.

Correct sentence: The number of people attending the concert are staggering.

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “number,” which is singular. However, the sentence refers to multiple people attending the concert. Therefore, the verb “are” should match the subject in number.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of English grammar. It requires careful attention to ensure that sentences are clear, concise, and easy to understand. To improve your writing skills, it is crucial to practice subject-verb agreement regularly. The above exam with answers is a useful tool to help you master this fundamental aspect of the English language.