Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that students must learn in their middle school years. A verb must agree with its subject in terms of number and person. In simpler terms, a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.

In class 8, students are expected to possess a good understanding of subject-verb agreement. However, it is essential to keep practicing to avoid errors in complex sentence structures. Here are some exercises to help students master subject-verb agreement.

1. Simple Sentences

The simplest way to practice subject-verb agreement is to start with straightforward sentences. Students can write short sentences and identify the subject and the verb. Then, they can check if the verb agrees with the subject in terms of number and person. For example:

– The cat sleeps on the mat. (singular subject and verb)

– The cats sleep on the mat. (plural subject and verb)

2. Compound Subjects

When two or more subjects are connected by ‘and,’ the verb should be plural. Conversely, when two or more subjects are connected by ‘or’ or ‘nor,’ the verb should match the subject closest to it. For example:

– John and Lisa play cricket. (plural subject and verb)

– Neither John nor Lisa plays cricket. (singular subject and verb)

3. Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns such as ‘anyone,’ ‘someone,’ ‘everyone,’ ‘nobody,’ ‘everybody,’ etc., are singular and require a singular verb. For example:

– Everyone enjoys ice cream. (singular subject and verb)

– Everyone enjoy ice creams. (incorrect subject-verb agreement)

4. Collective Nouns

A collective noun refers to a group of people or things. When used as a subject, collective nouns can take either a singular or a plural verb, depending on the intended meaning. For example:

– The team is playing well. (singular subject and verb)

– The team are arguing among themselves. (plural subject and verb)

5. Complex Sentences

In complex sentences, students need to identify the subject and the verb in the main clause and the subordinate clause. They should ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in the main clause, not the subject in the subordinate clause. For example:

– The boy who studies hard always scores well. (singular subject and verb)

– The boys who study hard always score well. (plural subject and verb)

By practicing these exercises regularly, students can improve their subject-verb agreement skills and produce grammatically correct sentences. Encourage them to read aloud what they write and ask themselves if the sentence sounds right. With time and practice, they will master subject-verb agreement and become confident writers.