English Exercise Agreement: How to Ensure Proper Grammar in Your Writing
Proper grammar is essential in writing, and one of the most critical aspects of grammar is the agreement between subjects and verbs. English exercise agreement is a fundamental concept that every writer should understand to produce solid and coherent content. In this article, we will explore what agreement is, how it works, and some tips on how to achieve it in your writing.
What is Agreement?
In English grammar, agreement refers to the correspondence between the subject and the verb in a sentence. The subject is the person or thing that performs the action, and the verb is the action performed. The agreement between these two elements ensures that the sentence makes sense and is grammatically correct.
For example, consider the sentence, “The dog barks.” In this sentence, the subject is “the dog,” and the verb is “barks.” The agreement between the two is that the singular subject “dog” takes a singular verb “barks.” If we were to switch the verb to the plural “bark,” it would not match the singular subject, making the sentence incorrect.
How Does Agreement Work?
Agreement in English grammar works based on the gender, number, and person of the subject. It means that the verb`s tense changes depending on whether the subject is singular or plural, masculine or feminine, and first, second, or third-person. Some common rules of agreement include:
– A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.
– A subject that is singular in form but plural in meaning takes a plural verb (e.g., “The news is good” vs. “The scissors are sharp”).
– When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” they take a plural verb.
– When the subject is separated from the verb by a phrase or clause, the verb agrees with the subject, not the intervening element (e.g., “The book, as well as the pen, was on the desk”).
Tips for Achieving Agreement in Your Writing
1. Identify the subject: Before writing a sentence, identify the subject and its characteristics to help determine the appropriate verb tense to use.
2. Pay attention to grammar rules: Reviewing grammar rules related to agreement can help you understand when to use singular or plural verbs and ensure your writing is grammatically correct.
3. Use subject-verb agreement exercises: Practice exercises can help you become comfortable identifying the subject and the verb and choosing the appropriate verb tense.
4. Proofread your writing: Once you have completed your writing, review it to ensure that the subject and verb agree. It can also be helpful to read the sentence aloud to identify any errors.
Conclusion
Incorporating proper agreement in your writing may take some practice, but the effort is worth it. Not only does it help ensure that your content is grammatically correct, but it also makes your writing more coherent and understandable. Remember to identify the subject, pay attention to grammar rules, practice exercises, and proofread your writing to ensure that you achieve agreement in your writing.