Subject-Verb Agreement — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The puppy bark loudly when strangers walk by.
Corrected: The puppy barks loudly when strangers walk by.
Puppy is a singular noun, so the third-person verb takes the -s ending: barks.
2. Fix the sentence:
My cousins lives near the lake every summer.
Corrected: My cousins live near the lake every summer.
Cousins is plural, so the verb drops the -s. Plural subjects pair with plural verbs: cousins live.
3. Fix the sentence:
Maria walk to school with her best friend each day.
Corrected: Maria walks to school with her best friend each day.
Maria is one person (third-person singular), so the verb adds -s: walks.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The runner jogs around the track every morning before sunrise.
Runner is third-person singular, so the present-tense verb adds -s: jogs.
2. My two brothers play video games together on the weekends.
Brothers is plural, so the verb does not add -s: play.
3. Our teacher reads a story to the class every Friday afternoon.
Singular subjects in third-person present tense add -s: reads.
4. The students finish their homework before the bell rings.
Students is plural, so the verb stays in base form: finish.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Explain the rule for subject-verb agreement when the subject is singular and in the third person (he, she, it).
Sample answer: When the subject is singular and third person (he, she, it, or one thing), the present-tense verb adds -s or -es. For example, 'She runs' or 'The dog barks.' This -s ending shows the verb agrees with one subject.
Third-person singular subjects always pair with verbs ending in -s in the simple present tense.
2. Write one sentence with a plural subject and a matching plural verb. Underline both.
Sample answer: The children play in the park every afternoon. Children (plural subject) agrees with play (plural verb in base form, no -s).
Plural subjects use the base form of the verb so the subject and verb agree in number.