Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that can significantly impact your IELTS Writing score. Understanding and applying this concept correctly demonstrates linguistic competence and enhances the clarity of your writing. Let’s explore comprehensive strategies to master this crucial grammatical element.
Understanding the Basics of Subject-Verb Agreement
The cornerstone of accurate writing lies in ensuring subjects and verbs match in number. As highlighted in mastering subject-verb agreement in IELTS, this agreement forms the foundation of clear communication in English.
Simple Subject-Verb Pairs
- Singular subjects take singular verbs (He writes, She studies)
- Plural subjects require plural verbs (They write, Students study)
- Collective nouns can be tricky (The team is/are winning)
Common Challenges in Subject-Verb Agreement
Intervening Phrases
One of the most frequent errors occurs with phrases between the subject and verb. For improving sentence flow with proper grammar, remember that intervening phrases don’t affect the agreement.
Example:
- The collection of ancient artifacts (singular subject) is (singular verb) displayed in the museum.
- The students in my advanced classes (plural subject) are (plural verb) preparing for IELTS.
Compound Subjects
- With ‘and’: Use plural verbs (Tom and Jerry are cartoon characters)
- With ‘or/nor’: Verb agrees with the closer subject (Neither the teachers nor the principal was present)
Complex Subject-Verb Agreement Patterns with Compound Subjects
Advanced Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Indefinite Pronouns
- Always singular: everyone, anybody, no one, someone
- Always plural: both, few, many, several
- Can be either: some, all, none
As noted in practicing grammar with sample essays, mastering these rules requires consistent practice.
Special Cases
- Quantities, portions, and measurements
- Two-thirds of the water is gone
- Fifty dollars is too much
- Time periods and distances
- Five years is a long time
- Ten miles seems too far
Tips for IELTS Writing Tasks
Task 1 Academic
When describing graphs and charts, pay special attention to subject-verb agreement in:
- Trend descriptions (The number of students has increased)
- Data comparisons (Both figures show significant growth)
- Statistical analysis (The percentage of users who prefer online shopping is rising)
Task 2 Essays
For writing clearly under time pressure, focus on:
- Proofreading specifically for agreement errors
- Identifying main subjects in complex sentences
- Maintaining consistency throughout paragraphs
Practice Strategies for Improvement
To enhance your mastery of subject-verb agreement, consider these approaches highlighted in how to improve IELTS writing grammar accuracy:
- Regular grammar exercises focusing on agreement
- Self-editing practice with time constraints
- Peer review sessions
- Recording and analyzing common mistakes
- Creating personal reference sheets
Quick Reference Guide for Test Day
Remember these key points during your IELTS exam:
- Always identify the true subject
- Don’t let intervening phrases confuse you
- Double-check agreements in complex sentences
- Pay special attention to collective nouns
- Review each paragraph for consistency
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I quickly identify the subject in a complex sentence?
A: Focus on finding who or what is performing the action, ignoring intervening phrases.
Q: What should I do with either/or and neither/nor subjects?
A: The verb should agree with the subject nearest to it.
Q: How do I handle collective nouns in IELTS Writing?
A: Consider whether the group acts as a unit (singular) or as individuals (plural).
Remember, mastering subject-verb agreement requires consistent practice and attention to detail. Focus on these principles during your IELTS preparation to enhance your writing accuracy and boost your overall score.
