Master Subject-Verb Agreement: B2 Exercises & Georgetown, TX Newspaper Analysis

Are you ready to conquer subject-verb agreement? This article dives deep into mastering this crucial grammar point, providing you with B2 level exercises and a surprising connection to newspaper analysis in Georgetown, Texas. We'll explore how understanding subject-verb agreement impacts clear communication, both in academic writing and everyday life, illustrated with real-world examples from a local newspaper.

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement: The Fundamentals

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule requiring a verb to agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. It's a cornerstone of clear and effective writing. Simple, right? But even advanced learners stumble. Let's refresh the basics:

• Singular Subjects take Singular Verbs: The dog barks loudly.
• Plural Subjects take Plural Verbs: The dogs bark loudly.

However, complexities arise with:

• Collective Nouns: These nouns (e.g., team, family, group) can be singular or plural depending on context. The team is winning. vs. The team are arguing amongst themselves.
• Indefinite Pronouns: Pronouns like everyone, someone, anybody are always singular. Everyone is welcome.
• Compound Subjects: Subjects joined by "and" are usually plural. John and Mary are friends. However, if the subjects refer to the same thing, the verb is singular. My best friend and confidante is Sarah.

B2 Level Subject-Verb Agreement Exercises

Now, let's put your knowledge to the test with some B2 level exercises. These exercises will challenge your understanding of more complex subject-verb agreement scenarios:

Exercise 1: Choose the correct verb form:

1. The news (is/are) shocking.
2. Neither the cat nor the dogs (is/are) allowed inside.
3. Everyone in the class (has/have) completed the assignment.
4. The flock of birds (fly/flies) south for the winter.
5. My sister, along with her friends, (go/goes) to the movies every week.

Exercise 2: Correct the subject-verb agreement errors in the following sentences:

1. The data shows a significant trend.
2. Each of the students submit their assignments on time.
3. Neither he nor I were invited to the party.

(Answers provided at the end of the article)

Georgetown, TX Newspaper Analysis: A Real-World Application

Let's shift gears and look at how subject-verb agreement plays a vital role in journalistic writing. Analyzing the Georgetown Daily Sun (or a similar local newspaper), we can observe how accurate subject-verb agreement contributes to the credibility and clarity of news reporting. Incorrect subject-verb agreement can undermine the newspaper's authority, causing readers to question the accuracy of other information presented.

Here's what to look for when analyzing a newspaper for subject-verb agreement:

• Headlines: Are the verbs in the headlines correctly matched with their subjects?
• News Articles: Scan articles for any instances of subject-verb disagreement. Note the frequency and type of errors.
• Impact of Errors: Consider how the errors affect the overall readability and perceived credibility of the publication.

By analyzing a local newspaper like the Georgetown Daily Sun, we can see the practical application of subject-verb agreement beyond the classroom and appreciate its importance in professional writing.

Conclusion: Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement for Success

Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication. Through consistent practice and attention to detail, both in exercises and real-world analysis (like our Georgetown, TX newspaper example), you can elevate your writing skills to a B2 level and beyond.

Call to Action: Practice makes perfect! Review the exercises above, and try analyzing a newspaper article near you. Let us know in the comments how you're improving your subject-verb agreement skills!

Answers to Exercise 2:

1. The data show a significant trend.
2. Each of the students submits their assignments on time.
3. Neither he nor I was invited to the party.