Subject Verb Agreement Gap Filling Exercises: Mastering Grammar with Fun

As a copy editor, I know that mastering grammar is a crucial aspect of writing. And one of the most essential grammatical rules is subject-verb agreement. This rule requires that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural). It is a rule that is easy to understand but can be tricky to apply, especially for non-native speakers and beginner writers.

To help you reinforce your understanding and application of subject-verb agreement, you can practice with gap-filling exercises. These exercises provide you with sentences with missing verbs or subjects that you have to fill in. Here is how you can do it:

Step 1: Choose the right exercise

There are different types of subject-verb agreement gap-filling exercises, depending on the level of difficulty and the focus of the exercise. Some exercises may require you to identify the subject and verb in a sentence before filling in the gap, while others may test your knowledge of singular/plural nouns, pronouns, or irregular verbs. Choose an exercise that is suitable for your level and goal.

Step 2: Read the sentence carefully

Before filling in the gap, make sure that you understand the meaning of the sentence and its structure. Identify the subject and verb and determine if they agree in number. If you are not sure, refer to a grammar guide or ask a teacher or tutor.

Step 3: Fill in the gap

Once you have identified the missing verb or subject, fill in the gap with the correct form. Pay attention to the tense and verb conjugation if applicable. Verify that the subject and verb agree in number.

Step 4: Check your answers

After filling in the gaps, check your answers against the provided answer key or ask a teacher or tutor to review them. Analyze your errors and identify areas where you need improvement.

Subject-verb agreement gap-filling exercises can be a fun way to practice your grammar skills. You can find a plethora of exercises and worksheets online or in grammar books. Here are a few examples:

Exercise 1: Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Mary and Jane __________ (play) tennis every Sunday. (play/plays)

2. The boy __________ (do) his homework in the afternoon. (does/do)

3. My parents __________ (travel) to Europe last year. (travel/travels)

Exercise 2: Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the subject in parentheses.

1. __________ (Either the dog or the cats) __________ (jump) on the couch. (jumps/jump)

2. __________ (One of the students) __________ (want) to go to the museum. (wants/want)

3. __________ (Each of the books) __________ (has) a different cover. (has/have)

In conclusion, mastering subject-verb agreement is an essential skill for effective writing. By practicing with subject-verb agreement gap-filling exercises, you can reinforce your understanding and application of this grammatical rule. Make sure to choose an exercise that matches your level and goal, read the sentence carefully, fill in the gap with the correct form, and check your answers. With time and practice, you can become a master of subject-verb agreement!