Agreement errors affect the student’s overall ability to communicate, which negatively affects their performance in public examinations. There is a prevalent belief that the student's inability to effectively use agreement is caused by a lack of understanding of its features. This implies that the students’ knowledge of this grammatical category is limited or it is not properly handled at this level. It might be based on the forms of their indigenous language. This affects the production of correct sentences as those produced in their local languages are not applicable to English. Therefore, the wrong use of concord leads to a lack of fluency in their expressions in essays and causes distortion and wrong interpretation of messages in any written and spoken discourse. It is against this backdrop that we seek to proffer approaches to teaching subject-verb agreement to the students for a better understanding.  

subject-verb agreement is a grammatical concept that refers to the correspondence in number and person between the subject and the verb in a sentence. It means that a singular subject should be followed by a singular verb, and a plural subject should be followed by a plural verb. Maintaining subject-verb agreement is crucial for grammatically correct and coherent sentences.

 For instance:

1.            The child likes bread and butter

2.            The men were respected for their loyalty

In the above sentences, the subjects correspond with the verbs used.

(a) As a singular subject (child) is accompanied by a singular verb (likes).

(b) The plural subject (men) corresponds with the plural verb (were).

Eka (2001-181) divides subject-verb agreement into three broad categories based on three governing principles which are:

•          Grammatical concord

•          Notional Concord

•          Principle of proximity

 

a)         Grammatical Concord: This principle focuses on the grammatical number of the subject and the verb. In simple terms, a singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb.

For instance:

 

3.         The dog barks. (singular subject "dog" with singular verb "barks")

4.         The men were respected for their loyalty (plural subject “men” with plural verb “were”)

 

b) Notional Concord: Notional concord takes into account the meaning or notion of the subject rather than its grammatical number. It considers whether the subject is singular or plural in terms of its concept or intention, regardless of its actual form.

For instance:

5.         The committee agrees on the proposal. (singular subject "committee" with singular verb "agrees" even though it represents a group)

6.         The team are celebrating their victory. (plural subject "team" with plural verb "are" to reflect the notion of a group of individuals)

c) Principle of Proximity: The principle of proximity emphasizes the agreement between the verb and the nearest subject when there are multiple subjects in a sentence. The verb should agree with the subject that is closer to it.

For instance:

7. Mary or John is going to the party. (singular verb "is" agrees with the nearest subject "Mary")

8. The cat or the dogs are in the backyard. (plural verb "are" agrees with the nearest subject "dogs")

 

Common Wrong Use of Subject-Verb Agreement in Students’ Writing


Subject-verb agreement errors in student writing can originate from various sources, such as the influence of a student's native language, lack of grammatical understanding, or simply typographical mistakes. Below are some examples of misuse of subject-verb agreement commonly found in students’ writing and their possible source. 

9.         "She don't like soccer."

Error: The subject "She" is singular, but the verb "don't" is plural. There is a lack of subject-verb agreement.

Analysis: This error is possibly caused by native language influence where the language does not inflect verb for number as seen in some Nigerian languages like Igbo. Thus, "don't" is used regardless of the subject's number.

10.       The book on the table are mine."

Error: The subject "book" is singular, but the verb "are" is plural, leading to subject-verb disagreement.

Analysis: This error likely stems from a misunderstanding of subject-verb agreement rules, where the verb should match the subject in number.

11.       "Mathematics are my favorite subject."

Error: The subject "Mathematics" is singular, but the verb "are" is plural, resulting in subject-verb disagreement.

Analysis: This error may arise from students thinking of "Mathematics" as a collection of various topics, leading to a plural interpretation.

12.       "The car, along with its accessories, are on sale."

Error: The verb "are" is used with the singular subject "car," resulting in a subject-verb agreement error.

Analysis: This error arises when students forget that the subject of the sentence is "car," not the phrase "along with its accessories."

13.       "John and Sarah likes to travel."

Error: The singular verb "likes" is used with the compound subject "John and Sarah," causing a subject-verb agreement error.

Analysis: This error is a result of treating the compound subject as a single entity, rather than two individuals requiring a plural verb.

14.       "The cats plays in the garden."

Error: The singular verb "plays" is used with the plural subject "cats," causing a subject-verb agreement error.

Analysis: This error is likely a typographical mistake, as "cats" should take the plural verb "play."

 

Impacts of Subject-Verb Agreement Errors on Students’ Writing

Subject-verb agreement errors can have a significant impact on the quality of student writing. Here are some key effects of subject-verb agreement errors:

•          Clarity and Coherence: Errors in subject-verb agreement can cause confusion and ambiguity, making it difficult for readers to understand the intended meaning of the sentence. This lack of clarity and coherence hampers effective communication and diminishes the overall quality of the writing.

 

•          Grammatical Accuracy: Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of grammar. Errors in this area undermine the grammatical accuracy of student writing, creating an impression of unprofessionalism or a lack of attention to detail. It may suggest a limited understanding of basic grammar rules.

 

•          Reader Perception: Inaccurate subject-verb agreement can negatively impact how readers perceive the writer's competence and credibility. Such errors may convey a lack of language proficiency or insufficient effort in proofreading and editing. This affects reader engagement and evaluations of the writer's overall ability.

 

•          Writing Fluency: Subject-verb agreement errors disrupt the flow and fluency of writing. Inconsistent agreement between subjects and verbs creates a jarring effect, interrupting the natural rhythm of the text. This can make the writing sound awkward or disjointed, hindering readability and enjoyment.

 

•          Academic and Professional Impact: Subject-verb agreement errors can have consequences in academic and professional contexts. Educators and employers often assess writing based on grammatical accuracy, including subject-verb agreement. Frequent errors may result in lower grades, and evaluations, or impact professional credibility and career prospects.

 

•          Language Proficiency and Development: Mastering subject-verb agreement is a crucial milestone in language proficiency. Errors in this area indicate a lack of understanding of basic grammatical rules, impeding progress in language learning. Addressing and correcting these errors are essential for advancing language skills and achieving higher levels of proficiency.

It is crucial for students to develop a strong grasp of subject-verb agreement rules and consistently apply them in their writing. By doing so, they can enhance clarity, maintain grammatical accuracy, positively influence reader perception, improve writing fluency, achieve academic or professional success, and further their language proficiency.

 

Factors Affecting Subject-Verb Agreement in Student Writing


Several factors can contribute to students' incorrect use of subject-verb agreement. Here are some common factors:

•          Lack of Understanding: Limited comprehension of subject-verb agreement rules leads to errors in applying them correctly.

 

•          Insufficient Grammar Instruction: Inadequate or inconsistent teaching of grammar contributes to difficulties with subject-verb agreement.

 

•          First Language Influence: Differences in native languages' grammatical structures can create challenges in learning and applying subject-verb agreement rules.

 

•          Lack of Practice: Insufficient opportunities to practice identifying and applying subject-verb agreement hinder skill development.

 

•          Inattention to Detail: Neglecting grammatical aspects during the writing process results in overlooked subject-verb agreement errors.

 

•          Writing Fluency and Speed: Rapid writing or the pressure to complete assignments quickly can lead to careless mistakes in subject-verb agreement.

 

•          Lack of Editing and Proofreading: Failing to thoroughly review and revise writing allows subject-verb agreement errors to persist.

 

•          Difficulty with Irregular Verbs: Challenges arise from memorizing and correctly using irregular verbs that deviate from standard agreement patterns.

 

•          Lack of Confidence: Insecurity in language skills, including subject-verb agreement, can contribute to errors or avoidance of complex sentence structures.

 

•          Limited Exposure to Proper Usage: Insufficient exposure to grammatically correct English outside academic settings can reinforce incorrect subject-verb agreement patterns.

Educators should provide clear instruction, practice opportunities, and feedback, and emphasize thorough editing to address these factors and improve students' understanding and accuracy in subject-verb agreement.

 

Approaches to Tackling Subject-Verb Agreement in Students’ Writing

To tackle subject-verb agreement errors in students' writing, the paper proposes the following:

1.       1. Effective Teaching of Subject-Verb Agreement to Students

Teaching subject-verb agreement effectively is essential for helping students develop strong grammatical skills. Here are some strategies that teachers can employ to teach subject-verb agreement:

•          Introduce the Concept: Begin by introducing the concept of subject-verb agreement to students. Explain the basic rule that a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. Provide clear definitions and examples to illustrate the concept.

 

•          Engage in Guided Practice: Engage students in guided practice activities to reinforce the concept. Provide sentences with subject-verb agreement errors and ask students to identify and correct them. Guide them through the process, explaining the reasons for the corrections and highlighting the importance of maintaining agreement.

 

•          Use Visual Aids and Manipulatives: Utilize visual aids such as charts, posters, or diagrams to visually represent subject-verb agreement rules. You can also use manipulatives like sentence strips or flashcards to physically demonstrate how subjects and verbs should agree in number.

 

•          Provide Clear and Concise Rules: Break down the rules of subject-verb agreement into clear and concise statements. Present these rules in a student-friendly language, emphasizing the key concepts and exceptions. Encourage students to memorize and internalize these rules for better application in their writing.

•          Offer Meaningful Examples: Provide a wide range of examples that students can relate to and understand. Use examples from various contexts, such as everyday conversations, literature, or informational texts. This helps students see subject-verb agreement in real-life scenarios and enhances their comprehension.

 

•          Engage in Interactive Activities: Incorporate interactive activities to make learning subject-verb agreement enjoyable and engaging. Use games, quizzes, online activities, or group discussions to reinforce the concept. These activities can include sentence completion exercises, fill-in-the-blanks, or sentence-sorting games.

 

•          Model Correct Usage: Model correct subject-verb agreement in your own speech and writing. Demonstrate proper usage by speaking grammatically accurate sentences and providing well-written examples. Encourage students to observe and imitate correct usage in their own writing.

 

•          Provide Ample Practice Opportunities: Offer ample opportunities for students to practice subject-verb agreement independently. Assign exercises, worksheets, or writing tasks that specifically focus on subject-verb agreement. Provide feedback and guidance to help students identify and fix errors.

 

•          Differentiate Instruction: Recognize that students may have different levels of understanding and varying needs. Differentiate your instruction by providing additional support or challenges based on individual abilities. Offer extra practice for struggling students and provide extension activities for those who grasp the concept quickly.

 

•          Provide Feedback and Reinforcement: Provide timely and constructive feedback on students' subject-verb agreement usage. Highlight both correct usage and errors, explaining the reasons behind corrections. Encourage students to revise and edit their work for subject-verb agreement during the writing process.

 

•          Review and Reinforce Regularly: Review subject-verb agreement regularly throughout the school year, even after it has been initially taught. Incorporate occasional review activities or mini-lessons to reinforce the concept and help students retain the knowledge.

 

•          Connect to Writing and Reading: Emphasize the importance of subject-verb agreement in writing and reading comprehension. Help students understand that using correct subject-verb agreement enhances clarity and coherence in their writing. Encourage them to analyze subject-verb agreement in the texts they read.

By employing these strategies, teachers can effectively teach subject-verb agreement and help students develop a solid foundation in grammar and writing skills.

 

2.       2. Technology and Tools

There are several grammar-checking software and online resources available that can be helpful in addressing subject-verb agreement errors. Here are some recommended tools:

•          Grammarly:  Grammarly is a widely used grammar-checking software that provides real-time feedback on grammar, spelling, punctuation, and subject-verb agreement. It offers both free and premium versions, allowing users to identify and correct subject-verb agreement errors in their writing.

 

•          ProWritingAid: ProWritingAid is another comprehensive writing assistant that offers grammar and style suggestions. It can help identify subject-verb agreement errors and provide recommendations for improvement. It also offers additional features such as readability analysis and contextual thesaurus.

 

•          LanguageTool: LanguageTool is an open-source grammar-checking tool that supports multiple languages, including English. It can detect subject-verb agreement errors and provide suggestions for correction. LanguageTool is available as a web-based tool, browser extension, and desktop application.

•          Hemingway Editor: While not specifically a grammar-checking tool, Hemingway Editor focuses on improving the clarity and readability of writing. It can help identify sentence structures that may lead to subject-verb agreement errors and provide suggestions for simplification.

 

•          Online Language Resources: Various online resources can assist in understanding and practicing subject-verb agreement. Websites such as Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), Grammar Monster, and English Grammar Online offer explanations, examples, and exercises dedicated to subject-verb agreement.

It's important to note that while grammar-checking software and online resources can be valuable tools, they are not infallible. They may not always catch every error or provide context-specific advice. Therefore, it is essential for teachers and students to use these tools in conjunction with their own knowledge and understanding of subject-verb agreement rules.

Additionally, it is advisable to encourage students to develop their editing and proofreading skills by using these tools as aids rather than relying solely on them. The goal should be to help students internalize subject-verb agreement rules and improve their ability to identify and correct errors independently.

 

conclusion

Tackling subject-verb agreement errors in students' writing is crucial for enhancing their language proficiency. By employing a combination of the approaches, we proposed, which expose students to good knowledge of subject-verb agreement, English language teachers can empower students to communicate clearly and proficiently through their writing.