Subject Verb Agreement Exercises for College Students

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of grammar that college students need to master. It refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. The subject is the doer of the action while the verb describes the action. If the subject and the verb do not agree in number, voice, and tense, the sentence becomes grammatically incorrect. Therefore, it is crucial for college students to practice exercises on subject-verb agreement to avoid common errors in their writing. In this article, we will explore some subject-verb agreement exercises that college students can use to improve their grammar.

Exercise 1 – Identify the Subject and Verb

The first exercise is to identify the subject and verb in a sentence. This exercise will help students understand the importance of subject-verb agreement. Here are some examples:

1. The cat (subject) chases (verb) the mouse.

2. The children (subject) laugh (verb) at the clown.

3. The teacher (subject) instructs (verb) the students.

Exercise 2 – Match the Subject and Verb

The second exercise involves matching the subject and verb correctly. Students need to ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in terms of number, voice, and tense. Here are some examples:

1. The dog (singular subject) barks (present tense verb).

2. The boys (plural subject) play (present tense verb) basketball.

3. The book (singular subject) was (past tense verb) on the shelf.

Exercise 3 – Fill in the Blanks

The third exercise requires students to fill in the blanks with the correct verb form that agrees with the subject. Here are some examples:

1. The students (plural subject) _____ (study) for their exams.

2. The car (singular subject) _____ (is) parked in the garage.

3. The birds (plural subject) _____ (fly) in the sky.

Exercise 4 – Correct the Errors

The fourth exercise involves correcting the errors in subject-verb agreement in the given sentences. Here are some examples:

1. The team were (should be was) excited about the upcoming game.

2. Each of the boys (should be boy) has a different hobby.

3. The group of friends (should be is) planning a vacation.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement exercises are crucial for college students to improve their grammar skills. The exercises should cover different aspects of subject-verb agreement, including number, voice, and tense, to ensure that students have a well-rounded understanding of the concept. By practicing subject-verb agreement exercises, students will be able to avoid common errors and write grammatically correct sentences.