Grade 7 English Grammar:

Subject-Verb Agreement

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the rule of subject-verb agreement

2. Understand special cases in subject-verb agreement, including collective nouns

3. Understand special cases in subject-verb agreement, including indefinite pronouns

4. Understand special cases in subject-verb agreement, including titles and names

5. Reflect on the importance of subject-verb agreement in English grammar

6. Recognize examples of correct and incorrect subject-verb agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule in English grammar that requires the subject of a sentence to match its verb in number (singular or plural). Understanding this concept is essential for constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences.

## What is a Subject?

In a sentence, the subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that is performing the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence:

- The dog barks.

"The dog" is the subject because it is the one doing the barking.

## What is a Verb?

A verb is a word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being. In our example above, "barks" is the verb because it describes what the dog is doing.

## The Rule of Agreement

The basic rule of subject-verb agreement is simple:

- Singular subjects take singular verbs.

- Plural subjects take plural verbs.

 Singular and Plural Subjects

A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or idea. For example:

- The cat runs. (singular subject: "cat", singular verb: "runs")

A plural subject refers to two or more people, places, things, or ideas. For example:

- The cats run. (plural subject: "cats", plural verb: "run")

 Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement

1. Correct Agreement:

   - The teacher explains the lesson. (singular subject "teacher" with singular verb "explains")

   - The teachers explain the lessons. (plural subject "teachers" with plural verb "explain")

2. Incorrect Agreement:

   - The teacher explain the lesson. (incorrect because "teacher" is singular, but "explain" is plural)

   - The teachers explains the lessons. (incorrect because "teachers" is plural, but "explains" is singular)

## Special Cases in Subject-Verb Agreement

There are some additional rules and considerations to keep in mind when dealing with subject-verb agreement.

 1. Compound Subjects

When a sentence has a compound subject (two or more subjects joined by "and"), the verb is usually plural:

- My brother and sister play soccer. (compound subject "brother and sister" with plural verb "play")

However, if the subjects are considered a single unit, a singular verb is used:

- Peanut butter and jelly is my favourite sandwich. (considered one item: "Peanut butter and jelly")

 2. Subjects Separated by Phrases

When a subject is followed by a phrase, the verb must still agree with the main subject:

- The cat, along with its kittens, plays in the garden. (the main subject "cat" is singular, so the verb is singular “plays”)

 3. Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to groups of people or things (e.g., team, group, family). The verb can be singular or plural depending on whether the group acts as a single unit or as individuals:

- The team is winning the match. (acting as one unit)

- The team are arguing among themselves. (acting as individuals)

 4. Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns such as "everyone," "somebody," and "each" are always singular and take singular verbs:

- Everyone loves pizza.

- Each of the students has a book.

However, some indefinite pronouns such as "few," "many," and "several" are plural and take plural verbs:

- Many are called, but few are chosen.

 5. Titles and Names

Titles of books, movies, or organisations are generally treated as singular:

- The Harry Potter series is popular.

## Conclusion

Subject-verb agreement is a vital aspect of English grammar that ensures clarity and correctness in writing and speaking. By following the rules outlined in this section, you can avoid common mistakes and improve the quality of your sentences. Remember, the key is to ensure that your subject and verb match in number, whether they are singular or plural. Practising these rules will help you develop a stronger command of the English language, making your communication more effective.

Vocabulary 

Subject: The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that does the action in a sentence.

Verb: A verb is a word that shows an action, occurrence, or state of being. 

Agreement: Agreement in grammar means that the subject and verb must match in number.

Singular: Singular refers to one person, place, thing, or idea.

Plural: Plural refers to two or more people, places, things, or ideas.

Compound subject: A compound subject is made up of two or more subjects joined by 'and.'

Collective noun: A collective noun refers to a group of people or things, like 'team' or 'family.'

Indefinite pronoun: Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' or 'each' do not refer to a specific person or thing.

Clarity: Clarity means being clear and easy to understand.

Grammar: Grammar is the set of rules that explain how words are used in a language.