Subject -Verb Agreement:

You must be sure to make your subject, in each sentence, agree with the verb of that sentence. As simple as this may sound, it is often an area of confusion. For example, learners of English as a second or a foreign language are susceptible to making errors with the third person, in the simple present tense (he/she/it work-s).

Observe the following:

Make certain that you did not make your verb agree with the word or words that come between the subject and the verb. The plants next to the computer needs watering.

Notice here that the verb followed the wrong subject. The speaker or writer is making the verb agree with computer instead of plants. The verb should be "need" without the -s

The plants next to the computer need watering.

Make all compound subjects connected with "and" plural, but with compound subjects connected with "either...or," "neither...nor," "or," "nor," make the verb agree with the part of the subject nearest to the verb.

Neither the teacher nor the students feel well today.

(Students is plural, "feel" is the verb in plural)

Neither the students nor the teacher feels well today.

(Teacher is singular; "feel" has an -s for singular)

Note: You need to review your non-count nouns to make sure that you know which nouns take singular and which nouns take plural verbs

I will never forget the struggle I had to endure while learning English prepositions. Having been a third language for me, English in general was a challenge. But prepositions were more than a challenge, they were a nightmare. If I said "in," I was wrong—it should have been "on." And if I said "on," I should have said "in." I thought to myself, "English is a funny language."

Well, all languages are funny in a way. Prepositions are cultural. Each group of people chooses to use prepositions in the way that suits them best. While the Spanish watch movies "in" television, the English watch movies "on" television. Moreover, Spanish speakers would say, "You are always 'in' my mind," while in English we say, "You are always 'on' my mind."

The only way to learn prepositions, in any language, is through trial and error. Try and do not be afraid to make mistakes. It is the only way to learn.

Here are some exercises for you:

1. Which is your book? The one _____ the right or the one _____ the left?
2. Where are your shoes? _____ the front or _____ the back?
3. Who is that pretty girl _____ the red dress?
4. Do you take your tea black or _____ milk?
5. You should study harder because you will not be successful _____ studying.
6. Thank you _____ the gift you sent me.
7. I should clean the house _____ the visitors come.
8. Our English professor likes to talk _____ Shakespeare.

Compare your prepositions to mine:

1. on/on
2. in/in
3. in
4. with
5. without
6. for
7. before

   Most Common Errors

   The following is a list of some of the most common errors made by ESL students.

   Subject - Verb Agreement:

   The pens is are on the table.

   Use of simple form after do, does, did:

   He doesn't likes like it.

   Use of simple form after to (infinitive form):

   Yesterday she wanted to leaves leave early.

   Modals followed by simple form:

   We could saw see the flames.

   Prepositions (of, in, by, etc.) followed by -ing:

   He won the race by run running fast.

   Omission of be:

   I [was] absent yesterday.

   Agreement of this or these with following nouns:

   This book are book is mine.

   Incorrect form in use of the passive voice (be or get):

   English is spoke spoken.
   They got divorce divorced.

   Inappropriate use of the passive voice:

   He was died last year

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