Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammar rule that every class 5 student should know. The rule governs the way in which the verb should agree with the subject of the sentence. In simpler terms, it means that the number and person of the subject should match the verb. For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural.

Why is subject-verb agreement important?

Subject-verb agreement is important because it helps readers to understand the intended meaning of a sentence. It also eliminates confusion that may arise when the subject and verb do not match. For instance, saying «The dogs barks» instead of «The dogs bark» creates confusion and makes it difficult for the reader to understand the message.

How to identify the subject and verb?

The subject is the person, animal, or thing that performs an action or about which something is said in the sentence. The verb, on the other hand, is the action that the subject performs. To identify the subject and verb in a sentence, ask yourself who or what is doing the action, and what is the action they are doing. For example, in the sentence «The cat jumped over the wall,» the subject is «the cat» and the verb is «jumped.»

Examples of subject-verb agreement

1. Singular subject and singular verb:

The boy runs every morning.

2. Plural subject and plural verb:

The girls dance in sync.

3. Singular subject but plural verb:

Incorrect: The boy run every morning.

Correct: The boy runs every morning.

4. Plural subject but singular verb:

Incorrect: The girls dances in sync.

Correct: The girls dance in sync.

Tips for subject-verb agreement

1. Always identify the subject and verb in a sentence.

2. Check that the verb matches the subject in terms of number and person.

3. In sentences with compound subjects (subjects joined by «and»), the verb should be plural.

4. In sentences with singular subjects that end with «s,» the verb should still be singular.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of grammar that every class 5 student should master. It ensures clear communication and reduces ambiguity in a sentence. Understanding the subject-verb agreement rule will not only improve your writing but also enhance your communication skills.