Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar, and it is essential for students to master this skill at a young age. In class 5, students are introduced to subject-verb agreement and are given exercises to practise the same. In this article, we will discuss why subject-verb agreement is important, examples of subject-verb agreement, and exercises for class 5 students.

Why is subject-verb agreement important?

Subject-verb agreement is important as it helps to ensure that sentences are grammatically correct. If the subject and verb are not in agreement, it can result in sentences that are confusing or make no sense at all. Therefore, having a good understanding of subject-verb agreement will help students to communicate effectively in both spoken and written English.

Examples of subject-verb agreement

The basic rule for subject-verb agreement is that a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. For example:

– The cat runs in the yard. („cat“ is a singular subject, and „runs“ is a singular verb)

– The cats run in the yard. („cats“ is a plural subject, and „run“ is a plural verb)

Another important point to note is that when the subject is a collective noun, the verb can be either singular or plural depending on the context. For example:

– The team is ready to play. („team“ is a collective noun treated as singular)

– The team are arguing about the game plan. („team“ is a collective noun treated as plural)

Exercises for class 5 students

Here are some exercises that class 5 students can do to practise subject-verb agreement:

1. Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence:

– The dog (barks/bark) at the postman every morning.

– The boy in the classroom (study/studies) hard for his exams.

– The birds in the sky (flies/fly) south for the winter.

2. Circle the correct verb in the following sentences:

– My brother and I (is/are) going to the park.

– The book on the table (belong/belongs) to me.

– The cars in the garage (needs/need) to be washed.

3. Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of the verb:

– The students walks to school every day. (The students walk to school every day.)

– The cat chases the mouse around the house. (The cats chase the mouse around the house.)

– The water in the glass is cold. (The waters in the glass are cold.)

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an important aspect of English grammar that students should master in class 5. By understanding the basic rules and doing exercises regularly, students can improve their communication skills and write grammatically correct sentences.