Subject-verb agreement is one of the fundamental concepts in English grammar. It refers to the agreement between the subject and verb in a sentence. Subject-verb agreement is essential to ensure that sentences are grammatically correct and convey clear meaning. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common questions that arise on subject-verb agreement for class 6 students.
Q: What is subject-verb agreement?
A: Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the subject and verb in a sentence should agree in number and person. That means if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular as well, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural.
Q: What happens if the subject and verb do not agree?
A: If the subject and verb do not agree, the sentence is grammatically incorrect and can be confusing to the reader.
Q: How can I identify the subject and verb in a sentence?
A: The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb in a sentence. The verb is the action word that tells us what the subject is doing. To identify the subject and verb, ask yourself, “who or what is doing the action?” The answer is the subject, and the word that follows it is the verb.
Q: Is it okay to use a plural verb with a singular subject?
A: No, it is not okay to use a plural verb with a singular subject. For example, the sentence “She like apples” is incorrect because “like” is a plural verb and “she” is a singular subject. The correct sentence should be “She likes apples.”
Q: What should I do if the subject is compound?
A: If the subject is compound, meaning it has two or more nouns or pronouns joined by “and,” use a plural verb. For example, the sentence “John and Mary are going to the party” is grammatically correct because “John and Mary” is a compound subject, and “are” is a plural verb.
Q: What should I do if the subject is singular but refers to a group of people?
A: If the subject is singular but refers to a group of people, use a plural verb. For example, the sentence “The team are practicing every day” is grammatically correct because “team” is a singular subject that refers to a group of people, and “are” is a plural verb.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an important concept in English grammar that class 6 students should understand. By following these simple rules, students can ensure that their sentences are grammatically correct and convey clear meaning.