Effective communication is essential in any kind of writing. One of the key aspects of good writing is proper verb agreement. Verb agreement refers to the consistency between the subject and the verb in a sentence. This might seem simple, but it can be challenging for many writers. Luckily, with practice, anyone can improve their verb agreement skills. In this article, we`ll provide an exercise to help you hone your verb agreement skills and provide answers to check your work.
Exercise: In each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form that agrees with the subject.
1. The group of students (was, were) excited to start their new project.
Answer: was
2. My sister and I (is, are) planning a road trip across the country.
Answer: are
3. The coffee and bagel (tastes, taste) delicious.
Answer: taste
4. The committee (is, are) meeting today to discuss the budget.
Answer: is
5. The cat, along with its kittens, (was, were) adopted by a loving family.
Answer: was
6. The amount of money in my savings account (has, have) decreased significantly.
Answer: has
7. Either the teacher or the students (is, are) responsible for cleaning the classroom.
Answer: is
8. John, along with his brothers, (plays, play) soccer every weekend.
Answer: plays
9. Each of the students (has, have) to complete the assignment on time.
Answer: has
10. The company (has, have) been struggling to stay profitable this year.
Answer: has
Answers:
1. was
2. are
3. taste
4. is
5. was
6. has
7. is
8. plays
9. has
10. has
In conclusion, practicing verb agreement exercises can be a great way to improve your writing skills. By mastering verb agreement, you`ll be able to communicate more clearly and effectively. So keep practicing, and soon, proper verb agreement will become second nature to you.