English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Correct errors with subject-verb agreement
Correct errors with subject-verb agreement
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the subject and verb in a sentence.
Explain the basic rule of subject-verb agreement.
Correct errors in subject-verb agreement in simple sentences.
Apply subject-verb agreement rules to sentences with intervening phrases.
Recognize and correct agreement errors with indefinite pronouns.
Revise sentences to ensure correct subject-verb agreement.
Construct grammatically correct sentences demonstrating subject-verb agreement.
Ever notice how some sentences just *sound* wrong? 👂 What makes 'The dogs barks loudly' sound off compared to 'The dogs bark loudly'?
In this lesson, you'll learn the essential rules for making sure your subjects and verbs always agree. Mastering this skill will make your writing clearer, more profes...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SubjectThe noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described in the sentence.The *student* reads a book.
VerbThe word that shows action or a state of being in a sentence.The student *reads* a book.
AgreementWhen the subject and verb match in number (singular or plural). A singular subject needs a singular verb; a plural subject needs a plural verb.The *cat sleeps* (singular subject, singular verb). The *cats sleep* (plural subject, plural verb).
Singular SubjectA subject referring to one person, place, thing, or idea.*He* sings beautifully.
Plural SubjectA subject referring to more than one person, place, thing, or idea.*They* sing beautifully.
Intervening PhraseA group of words that comes between the subject and the verb but does not change the subject's...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Basic Subject-Verb Agreement Rule
Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
In the present tense, add '-s' or '-es' to most verbs when the subject is singular (he, she, it, a singular noun). Do not add '-s' for plural subjects (we, you, they, plural nouns).
Intervening Phrases Rule
The verb must agree with the *true* subject, not with a noun in an intervening phrase.
Ignore phrases like 'along with,' 'as well as,' 'in addition to,' or prepositional phrases (e.g., 'of the books') when determining whether the subject is singular or plural.
Indefinite Pronouns Rule
Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, every, either, neither, one, no one, everyone, any...
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Challenging
Which of the following sentences contains a subject-verb agreement error?
A.The pack of wolves, which are known for their complex social structures, hunt together.
B.The author, as well as the illustrators, is scheduled to appear at the book fair.
C.Not one of the research articles was relevant to my specific thesis statement.
D.Here are the results from the experiment we conducted last week.
Challenging
Which principle best explains the error in the sentence: 'The quality of the narratives vary greatly from student to student.'?
A.plural subject requires a plural verb.
B.The verb should agree with the subject, not with a noun in an intervening prepositional phrase.
C.Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' are always singular.
D.In an inverted sentence, the subject follows the verb.
Challenging
Which of the following sentences is constructed correctly, demonstrating proper subject-verb agreement in a complex structure?
A.Everybody who completed the research projects are eligible for extra credit.
B.The data, which the scientists from various labs has collected, suggest a new theory.
C.Neither the original manuscript nor the revised drafts contains the missing chapter.
D.The only one of the students who truly understands the complex theme is Sarah.
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