Subject-verb agreement is one of the most fundamental rules of grammar that students learn in Class 8 CBSE. It refers to the rule that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. In simple terms, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
For example, “The cat sits on the mat” is a sentence with a singular subject “cat” and a singular verb “sits.” On the other hand, “The cats sit on the mat” is a sentence with a plural subject “cats” and a plural verb “sit.”
Mistakes in subject-verb agreement can make a sentence confusing and sound incorrect. This is especially true when writing essays or other academic papers. It is essential to know how to identify and correct these errors.
There are a few basic rules to keep in mind when it comes to subject-verb agreement in Class 8 CBSE. Firstly, singular subjects take singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs. This rule applies to all tenses and forms of the verb.
Another rule for subject-verb agreement is that a compound subject (two or more subjects combined) requires a plural verb. For example, “My sister and I are going to the park” has a compound subject “my sister and I,” which requires a plural verb “are.”
When using words such as “each,” “every,” “either,” “neither,” or “none,” it is important to remember that they are singular, and the verb that follows must also be singular. For example, “Each student has a different schedule” uses the singular verb “has” to agree with the singular subject “each student.”
A common error that many students make is with subjects that sound plural but are actually singular. Words such as “news,” “mathematics,” and “politics” are all singular and, therefore, require a singular verb. For example, “The news is shocking” uses the singular verb “is” to agree with the singular subject “news.”
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of grammar that students in Class 8 CBSE must master. By understanding and following the basic rules, students can improve their writing skills and ensure that their sentences are clear, concise, and grammatically correct.