Subject Verb Agreement Exercises Present Tense

Subject-verb agreement is a crucial component of the English language that requires mastering. It is a grammatical concept that stipulates that the subject and verb in a sentence must be in agreement in terms of tense and number. In simpler terms, the subject and the verb of a sentence must match in tense and quantity for the sentence to be grammatically correct. Failure to pay attention to subject-verb agreement results in poor writing and confuses the reader.

To help you understand how subject-verb agreement works in the present tense, this article will provide some exercises that you can practice to sharpen your skills.

Exercise 1:

Choose the correct verb that matches the subject in the following sentences:

1. The dog (barks, bark) every morning.

2. My car (runs, run) smoothly.

3. She (plays, play) the guitar beautifully.

4. The flowers in the vase (smells, smell) lovely.

5. They (enjoy, enjoys) going to the movies.

Answers: 1. barks, 2. runs, 3. plays, 4. smell, 5. enjoy

Exercise 2:

Rewrite the following sentences to agree with the subject in the present tense:

1. My friends and I was at the party last night.

2. The team of players are playing well this season.

3. The teacher and the students is excited about the field trip.

4. The book on the shelf was the one that I want.

5. The birds on the tree flies away when they see me.

Answers: 1. My friends and I were at the party last night. 2. The team of players is playing well this season. 3. The teacher and the students are excited about the field trip. 4. The book on the shelf is the one that I want. 5. The birds on the tree fly away when they see me.

Exercise 3:

Identify the incorrect verb in the following sentences and replace it with the appropriate verb:

1. The cat purrs loudly when she want attention.

2. The bird on the tree seem to be singing a happy tune.

3. My brother and sister always argue about who get the last cookie.

4. The children in the playground always plays together.

5. My favorite TV series comes on at 8 pm every Monday.

Answers: 1. wants, 2. seems, 3. get, 4. play, 5. come.

Conclusion:

Practicing these subject-verb agreement exercises can help you develop a better understanding of how the present tense works in English grammar. Remember that ensuring proper subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear, effective communication and that even seasoned writers can sometimes make mistakes. So, keep practicing, and you`ll soon master this vital component of English grammar.