Subject-verb agreement is one of the most important grammar concepts that college students need to master to communicate effectively in written and spoken English. This concept refers to the correct matching of the subject and the verb in a sentence, in terms of their number and person. However, many college students struggle with understanding and applying subject-verb agreement rules, especially when dealing with complex sentences and irregular verbs.
To help college students improve their subject-verb agreement skills, teachers and tutors often use worksheets that provide exercises and examples of this grammatical concept. These worksheets can be an effective tool for students to practice and reinforce their understanding of subject-verb agreement, as well as to identify and correct errors in their own writing.
Some common types of subject-verb agreement worksheets for college students include:
1. Basic subject-verb agreement: These worksheets focus on the most common subject-verb agreement rules, such as the use of singular verbs with singular subjects and plural verbs with plural subjects, as well as the agreement between compound subjects and collective nouns.
Example: The dog barks loudly every morning. (singular subject + singular verb)
2. Agreement with indefinite pronouns: These worksheets cover the agreement between singular or plural verbs and indefinite pronouns that can be either singular or plural, such as anyone, someone, everybody, and both.
Example: Everyone wants to be successful in life. (singular verb with indefinite pronoun)
3. Agreement with irregular verbs: These worksheets provide examples of irregular verbs that do not follow the standard subject-verb agreement rules, such as the verb « to be, » « to have, » and modal verbs like « can » and « must. »
Example: There are many books on the shelf. (plural verb with singular subject « books »)
4. Agreement with complex sentence structures: These worksheets challenge students to identify the subject and the verb in complex sentence structures, such as clauses, phrases, and dependent clauses.
Example: The teacher who taught me math last year is very strict. (verb agrees with singular subject « teacher, » not the plural « who taught me math »)
When using subject-verb agreement worksheets in college classes, teachers should provide clear instructions and examples, as well as feedback and guidance on how to correct errors. Students should also be encouraged to apply the subject-verb agreement rules in their own writing, and to seek help from their teachers or tutors when needed.
Overall, subject-verb agreement worksheets can be a valuable resource for college students who want to improve their grammar skills and become more confident and effective communicators. By practicing and mastering this essential concept, students can enhance their academic and professional writing, as well as their oral communication in various settings.