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Subject-Verb Agreement Exercises in English language

Committed students rehearsing foreign phrases together.

Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for effective communication in English. This fundamental rule ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence align correctly in number and person. For example, when the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular ("She writes every day"), and when the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well ("They write every day"). Understanding and applying these rules not only enhances clarity but also prevents common grammatical errors that can impede the flow of writing and speaking. Subject-verb agreement can become more complex with compound subjects, collective nouns, and sentences that include phrases or clauses. For instance, when subjects are connected by "and," they typically take a plural verb ("The cat and the dog are playing"). However, when subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the subject closest to it ("Neither the teacher nor the students are ready"). Through targeted exercises, you will be able to practice and refine your understanding of these nuances, making your English more precise and polished. Dive into the exercises to challenge yourself and improve your grammatical accuracy.

Exercise 1

1. The cat *sits* on the windowsill every morning (verb for positioning). 2. My friends *are* planning a surprise party for me (verb for intention). 3. The teacher *explains* the lesson clearly to the students (verb for teaching). 4. They *run* every day to stay fit (verb for exercise). 5. The flowers in the garden *bloom* beautifully in spring (verb for flowering). 6. She *writes* in her journal every night before bed (verb for recording thoughts). 7. The children *play* in the park after school (verb for leisure activity). 8. He *drives* to work every morning (verb for operating a vehicle). 9. The sun *shines* brightly in the sky during summer (verb for emitting light). 10. They *study* hard for their exams (verb for academic preparation).

Exercise 2

1. The cat *chases* the mouse every morning (verb for pursuing). 2. She *reads* a book before bed (verb for reading). 3. The flowers *bloom* in the spring (verb for flowering). 4. My friends *are* excited about the trip (verb for being). 5. He *writes* in his journal daily (verb for writing). 6. The children *play* in the park after school (verb for playing). 7. The sun *sets* in the west (verb for moving down). 8. The committee *decides* on the policy changes (verb for making a decision). 9. The dog *barks* loudly at strangers (verb for making a sound). 10. The teacher *explains* the lesson clearly (verb for making something clear).

Exercise 3

1. The dog *barks* loudly at strangers (present tense verb for a single pet). 2. The students *study* hard for their exams (verb used for multiple people). 3. She always *enjoys* reading mystery novels (present tense verb for one person). 4. The children *play* in the park every afternoon (verb for an activity done by more than one child). 5. My brother *works* at the local grocery store (present tense verb for a single family member). 6. The birds *sing* beautifully in the morning (verb for multiple animals). 7. He *drives* to work every day (present tense verb for a single male). 8. The teachers *prepare* their lessons carefully (verb used for more than one educator). 9. She *writes* in her journal every night (present tense verb for one female). 10. The flowers *bloom* in spring (verb for multiple plants).