Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of the English language that determines the grammatical correctness of a sentence. When it comes to IELTS, it is essential to have a clear understanding of subject-verb agreement to score well in the writing and speaking sections. This article will provide an overview of subject-verb agreement rules and tips to improve your skills in this area.

Subject-verb agreement refers to the rule that the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. Likewise, if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. This agreement creates grammatically correct, clear, and precise sentences.

The following are some of the essential rules for subject-verb agreement:

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs: Examples: The cat is sleeping. He runs every morning.

2. Plural subjects take plural verbs: Examples: The cats are sleeping. They run every morning.

3. Collective nouns, or nouns referring to groups of people or objects, can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the context: Examples: The team is practicing. The team members are practicing.

4. When the subject is separated from the verb by a prepositional phrase, the agreement should be with the subject, not the object of the preposition: Examples: The girl with her friends is having fun. The friends of the girl are having fun.

5. When using “or” or “nor” to connect two subjects, the verb agrees with the nearest subject: Examples: Neither the cat nor the dog is hungry. Either the cats or the dogs have eaten the food.

To improve your subject-verb agreement skills, try the following tips:

1. Practice identifying the subject and verb in a sentence. This will help you determine if they agree in number.

2. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement in the reading passages you encounter in your IELTS preparation. This will help you spot errors and reinforce the correct use of subject-verb agreement.

3. Seek feedback from a tutor or instructor. Getting input from a professional can provide insight into your strengths and areas for improvement.

4. Read aloud. This can help you identify when a sentence sounds incorrect and needs to be revised.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of the English language, and it is crucial to master it for success in IELTS. Remember to pay attention to the number of the subject and ensure that the verb agrees with it. Practice identifying the subject and verb in sentences and seek feedback to improve your skills. With patience and practice, you can improve your subject-verb agreement and achieve your desired IELTS score.