Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammar concept that every seventh-grader must know. It refers to the agreement between the subject and verb in a sentence. In simple terms, it means that the verb must agree with the subject in number, person, and gender. Here are some subject-verb agreement rules that grade 7 students should be aware of.

Singular vs. Plural

The most basic rule of subject-verb agreement is that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example, “The cat runs” (singular subject and verb) and “The cats run” (plural subject and verb).

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns are singular words that refer to a group of people, animals, or things. Examples are team, family, committee, etc. When a collective noun acts as a single unit, it takes a singular verb. For instance, “The committee agrees to the proposal.” However, when a collective noun refers to individuals within the group, it takes a plural verb. For example, “The family members disagree on the vacation destination.”

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, anyone, nobody, somebody, etc., always take a singular verb. For instance, “Everybody loves ice cream” and “Nobody wants to be left behind.”

Subject-Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects

When two or more singular subjects are joined by `and,` they take a plural verb. For example, “John and Mary are going to the party.” However, if the subjects are joined by `or` or `nor,` the verb agrees with the closest subject. For example, “Neither the dog nor the cat is allowed in the living room.”

Subject-Verb Agreement with `There`

When the sentence begins with `there,` the subject comes after the verb, and the verb agrees with whatever noun follows the verb. For instance, “There is a book on the table” and “There are two books on the table.”

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar that students must master. Understanding these rules will help them write and speak correctly, and avoid errors that can distract readers or listeners. Teachers should provide plenty of practice and examples to reinforce these rules until they become second nature to their students.