As an aspiring medical student, it`s essential to ace the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT). While preparing for this highly competitive exam, it`s important to remember that the English Language section plays a crucial role in determining your overall score. One of the most common grammar mistakes students make is the subject-verb agreement, which can cost valuable points. In this article, we`ll discuss the basics of subject-verb agreement and provide some tips to help you avoid errors on the MDCAT.
What is subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement is when the subject and verb in a sentence match in number. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. For example, “The student studies” is correct, but “The student study” is not because the subject (student) is singular, and the verb (study) is plural.
Why is subject-verb agreement important?
Subject-verb agreement is important because it makes sentences clear, correct, and easy to understand. When the subject and verb do not agree, it can cause confusion and make it difficult to follow the meaning of the sentence. In addition, incorrect subject-verb agreement is a common mistake that can cost you valuable points on the MDCAT.
Tips for subject-verb agreement on the MDCAT
1. Identify the subject
Before choosing the verb, you need to identify the subject in the sentence. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. It is usually located at the beginning of the sentence.
2. Determine the number of the subject
Once you have identified the subject, you need to determine if it is singular or plural. If the subject is a single person, place, thing, or idea, it is singular. If it refers to more than one, it is plural.
3. Choose the correct verb form
After identifying the subject and its number, you need to choose the correct verb form that matches the subject. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb form, and if the subject is plural, use a plural verb form.
4. Be careful with collective nouns
Collective nouns, such as team, family, or committee, refer to a group of people or things but are treated as singular. For example, “The team is practicing” is correct, not “The team are practicing.”
5. Watch out for compound subjects
Compound subjects are two or more subjects that are joined by “and.” In this case, the verb should be plural. For example, “The girl and the boy are playing” is correct because there are two subjects.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammar rule that is essential for effective communication. It`s especially important to master this rule when preparing for the MDCAT. By following the tips provided in this article, you can avoid common mistakes and increase your chances of success on the English Language section of the exam.