Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for excelling in your English exams, especially for Primary 5 and 6 students in Singapore. A strong grasp of this fundamental grammar rule not only enhances your writing clarity but also boosts your PSLE AL score. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of subject-verb agreement, common pitfalls, and provide practical tips to help you ace your English exams.
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the verb in a sentence must match the subject in number and person. In simpler terms, if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. For example:
- Singular: The cat runs
- Plural: The cats run
Ensuring correct subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear and effective communication.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
1. Intervening Phrases
Sometimes, phrases come between the subject and the verb, which can confuse the agreement. Always identify the main subject to determine the correct verb form.
- Incorrect: The bouquet of flowers are
- Correct: The bouquet of flowers is
Here, “bouquet” is the main subject, not “flowers.”
2. Subjects Joined by ‘And’
When two subjects are connected by “and,” they typically require a plural verb.
- Incorrect: My friend and mentor gives me advice.
- Correct: My friend and mentor give me advice.
However, if the subjects refer to the same person or thing, a singular verb is used.
3. Subjects Joined by ‘Or’ or ‘Nor’
When subjects are connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
- Incorrect: Neither the teacher nor the students was ready.
- Correct: Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.
- Incorrect: Either the students or the teacher were responsible.
- Correct: Either the students or the teacher was responsible.
4. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group acting as a single unit and usually take a singular verb.
- Incorrect: The team are winning.
- Correct: The team is winning.
However, if the individuals within the group are acting separately, a plural verb may be appropriate.
5. Indefinite Pronouns
Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., everyone, each), while others are always plural (e.g., few, many).
- Singular: Everyone is invited to the party.
- Plural: Many are interested in the new course.
Practical Tips for Mastery
- Read Regularly: Exposure to well-written texts helps internalize correct grammar usage. Consider enrolling in English enrichment classes for primary school students to enhance your reading and comprehension skills.
- Practice Writing: Regular writing practice allows you to apply grammar rules. Joining creative writing classes for primary school can provide structured guidance and feedback.
- Use Grammar Resources: Utilize grammar workbooks, online exercises, and attend English tuition sessions to reinforce your understanding such as those from WRITERS AT WORK: WRITERS AT WORK E-BOOKSHOP
Achieving proficiency in subject-verb agreement is a vital step toward mastering the English language and excelling in your exams. For additional support, consider enrolling in English enrichment classes or seeking guidance from a reputable tuition centre in Singapore. Join us at WRITERS AT WORK and build the best foundation in English composition writing, PSLE composition topics, and oral English. For success in PSLE, start early, start now!
Attain Stellar Results with WRITERS AT WORK!
English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. WRITERS AT WORK reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how WRITERS AT WORK makes a difference, feel free to explore our website, watch our YouTube videos and catch us LIVE on TikTok!
If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS AT WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS AT WORK!
Commonly Asked Questions
1. What is Creative Writing in Primary School?
In primary school, creative writing starts from using pictures to develop a coherent storyline. Students will learn how to use key phrases to build tension and develop a satisfying conclusion. The plots of the stories crafted at the primary school level are usually simple and have a central conflict which is usually resolved at the end of the story. Students will need to use good grammar and appropriate vocabulary to describe the things they see in the pictures when writing.
2. What is An Enrichment Class in English?
An enrichment class allows your child to not only learn the basics of the mechanics of English such as good grammar and sentence structure, but it also teaches your child to appreciate the nuances of the English language. Students in an English enrichment class will learn skills like inference and critical reading – these skills are highly important even when students graduate out of school and go into higher education or the working world, as it will teach them to process and filter information to determine what is being said and evaluate the veracity of the information.
3. What Does a Writing Specialist Teach?
A writing specialist teaches your child how to formulate sentences in a logical manner. Writing has various contexts, and if the assignment is a narrative essay, there are certain requirements such as a well thought-out plot, fleshed-out characters, and a good denouement. There are other types of essays a student will learn in his lifetime, such as an argumentative essay, expository essay, and descriptive writing, which all require different skill sets learned during class.
4. How Does My Child Benefit From Writing Classes?
Writing classes build systematic thinking and logic in children. Crafting a story plot is the same as thinking, step by step, what events chronologically happen in the context of a given scenario. Students will be able to express their ideas and thought processes in a coherent and concise manner, which will help them in their other subjects as they will be able to formulate sentences to better understand the material. English proficiency is a highly transferable skill.
