Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar. It refers to the match between the subject and its corresponding verb in a sentence. Failure to maintain subject-verb agreement can lead to confusion and compromise the clarity of your writing. As a professional, I have put together this article on subject-verb agreement questions for SSC CGL.
SSC CGL is a competitive exam that tests a candidate`s proficiency in the English language. One of the areas that the exam focuses on is subject-verb agreement. Therefore, it is imperative that candidates familiarize themselves with the rules of subject-verb agreement and practice answering related questions.
Here are some essential rules that candidates should keep in mind when dealing with subject-verb agreement questions in SSC CGL:
1. The subject and verb must agree in number
The number of the subject and verb in a sentence should always agree. For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. To determine the number of the subject, one should look at whether the noun is singular or plural and use the appropriate verb form.
Example: The boy plays soccer. (Singular subject, singular verb)
The boys play soccer. (Plural subject, plural verb)
2. A compound subject takes a plural verb
A compound subject is composed of two or more nouns connected by conjunctions such as and, or, nor, neither/nor. In this case, the verb should be plural.
Example: John and Mary are going to the park. (Compound subject, plural verb)
3. Collective nouns can take either a singular or plural verb
Collective nouns are used to describe groups of people, animals, or things. They can take a singular or plural verb depending on the context. If the group is seen as a single entity, a singular verb should be used. On the other hand, if the group is seen as individuals, a plural verb should be used.
Example: The committee is meeting today. (Singular verb)
The committee members are divided in their opinions. (Plural verb)
4. Indefinite pronouns take a singular or plural verb depending on the noun they represent
Indefinite pronouns such as anyone, everyone, someone, no one, and others can be either singular or plural. The verb form to be used depends on the noun the pronoun represents.
Example: Everyone is here. (Singular verb)
Some of the students are absent. (Plural verb)
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of English grammar that candidates should master before taking the SSC CGL exam. Understanding the rules highlighted above will go a long way in helping candidates answer subject-verb agreement questions with ease. Additionally, practicing past papers with these rules in mind will help to improve a candidate`s subject-verb agreement skills.
