Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental concept in the English language. It refers to the agreement between subject and verb in terms of number, person, and tense. The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action, while the verb is the word that shows the action. In class 9, students learn about the basic rules of subject-verb agreement. However, there are certain cases where extra attention is required to ensure correct subject-verb agreement. In this article, we will discuss the extra questions of subject-verb agreement in class 9.
1. Collective nouns: Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things. Examples include audience, team, class, family, etc. In subject-verb agreement, collective nouns can be treated as singular or plural, depending on the context. If the emphasis is on the group as a whole, use a singular verb. If the emphasis is on the individual members, use a plural verb. For example:
– The audience was pleased with the performance. (singular)
– The audience were clapping their hands. (plural)
2. Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific people or things. Examples include someone, anybody, everyone, anything, etc. In subject-verb agreement, indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural, depending on the context. If the pronoun is followed by a singular noun, use a singular verb. If the pronoun is followed by a plural noun, use a plural verb. For example:
– Someone is ringing the doorbell. (singular)
– Someone left their umbrella in the classroom. (plural)
3. Compound subjects: Compound subjects refer to two or more nouns or pronouns that are joined by a conjunction. Examples include bread and butter, John and Mary, dogs and cats, etc. In subject-verb agreement, compound subjects can be treated as singular or plural, depending on the conjunction. If the conjunction is “and,” use a plural verb. If the conjunction is “or” or “nor,” use a singular verb. For example:
– John and Mary are going to the movies. (plural)
– Either John or Mary is going to the movies. (singular)
4. Relative pronouns: Relative pronouns refer to a noun or pronoun that is mentioned earlier in the sentence. Examples include who, whom, whose, that, etc. In subject-verb agreement, relative pronouns do not affect the verb. The verb agrees with the subject, not the relative pronoun. For example:
– The boy who is playing the guitar is my cousin. (singular subject “boy,” verb “is”)
– The girls who are playing in the garden are my friends. (plural subject “girls,” verb “are”)
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of the English language, and students in class 9 must pay extra attention to certain cases where subject-verb agreement can be tricky. By understanding the rules of collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, compound subjects, and relative pronouns, students can master the art of subject-verb agreement.