Subject-verb agreement is one of the most fundamental and essential grammar concepts that students learn in their early years of schooling. However, even as students progress to higher grades, the importance of this concept remains unchanged. In class 8, it becomes even more critical for students to grasp the nuances of subject-verb agreement, as it forms the basis of effective communication and writing skills.
The basic rule of subject-verb agreement is that the verb must agree in number with its subject. A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. For instance, “He runs” is a correct sentence, while “He run” is incorrect. Similarly, “The boys play” is correct, while “The boys plays” is incorrect.
While this rule may seem straightforward, there are several exceptions and complexities that students must be aware of. For instance, when a subject consists of two or more nouns or pronouns joined by “and,” the verb is usually plural. However, when these nouns or pronouns refer to a single person or thing, the verb must be in the singular form. For example, “John and Jane are happy” is correct, while “John and Jane is happy” is incorrect. On the other hand, “Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast” is correct, while “Bread and butter are my favorite breakfast” is incorrect.
Another exception to the subject-verb agreement rule is when the subject is a collective noun, such as team, group, or family. In such cases, the verb can be singular or plural, depending on whether the emphasis is on the collective unit or the individual members. For example, “The team is playing well” emphasizes the team as a single unit, while “The team are arguing amongst themselves” emphasizes the individual members.
Students must also be aware of the various irregular verbs that do not follow the standard subject-verb agreement rules. For instance, the verb “to be” has different forms depending on the subject – “I am,” “you are,” “he/she/it is,” “we are,” “you all are,” “they are.” Similarly, the verb “to have” is irregular in the present tense – “I have,” “you have,” “he/she/it has,” “we have,” “you all have,” “they have.”
In conclusion, the subject-verb agreement is a crucial grammar concept that students must master in class 8 and continue to apply throughout their academic and professional careers. By understanding the basic rule and its exceptions and complexities, students can communicate effectively and articulate their thoughts clearly in writing.
