HomePsychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journalvol. 33 no. 6 (2025)

Knowledge on Subject-Verb Agreement among College Students: Basis for Remedial Subject Offerings

Janice Cuevas

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

This study explores the knowledge of subject-verb agreement among college students as a basis for remedial subject offerings. The research examines the relationship between students' demographic profiles, their perceptions of English as a subject, and their proficiency in subject-verb agreement rules. A quantitative descriptive research method was employed, utilizing statistical tools such as percentage, frequency, weighted mean, and chi-square to analyze responses collected through a questionnaire. Findings indicate that most respondents are female, aged 18-19, and rely primarily on mobile devices as learning resources. Students demonstrated an overall satisfactory level of understanding of subject-verb agreement rules, excelling in areas such as singular and plural verb usage, indefinite pronouns, and specific noun-verb relationships. However, weaknesses were observed in rules concerning collective nouns and numerical expressions. The study also found that students’ subject-verb agreement knowledge is not significantly influenced by their age, sex, or available learning resources but is affected by their perception of English. Based on these findings, the study recommends the development of Course Syllabi and Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) tailored to address students’ weaknesses in subject-verb agreement. These materials should provide clear explanations, detailed examples, and structured exercises to reinforce learning. The modules can be utilized in remedial classes to enhance students’ proficiency. This research highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve English grammar competency, ensuring better academic performance and communication skills among college students.



References:

  1. 21K School World Class Foundation For Your World. (2022). The importance of grammar in English language. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://www.21kschool.com/us/blog/the-importance-of-grammar-in-english-language/
  2. Alberta Education. (2023). Factors that influence how English language learners learn. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://www.learnalberta.ca/content/eslapb/understanding_the_acquisition_factors.html
  3. Amante, E., & Andilab, D. (2024). Grammatical competence and grammatical knowledge of senior secondary students in the new normal: Learning interventions. Retrieved November 15, 2024, from https://scimatic.org/storage/journals/6/pdfs/2854.pdf
  4. Ansow, D., et al. (2022). A study on students’ perception toward English learning at SMP Katolik St. Theresia Tanawangko. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from file:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/3757-Article%20Text-12897-1-10-20220323%20(6).pdf
  5. Aperocho, M.D., & Payot, J. (2022). An error analysis of criminology students’ texts. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from https://tinyurl.com/4kwpku67
  6. APlus Program. (2020). Writing is one of the most important skills students learn in elementary school, here’s why. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://www.aplusprogram.com/writing-is-one-of-the-most-important-skills-students-learn-in-elementary-school-heres-why/
  7. Azmat, Z., & Khan, M.R. (2023). Subject-verb agreement errors in ESL students' academic writing: A surface taxonomy approach. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://linguisticforum.com/index.php/ling/article/view/175/104
  8. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
  9. Cabaltica, R.B., & Osabel, C.A. (2021). Knowledge on subject-verb agreement of grade 7 students: Basis for remedial teaching. European Journal of Humanities and Educational Advancements, 2(4). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351904329_European_Journal_of_Humanities_and_Educational_Advancements_EJHEA_KNOWLEDGE_ON_SUBJECTVERB_AGREEMENT_OF_GRADE_7_STUDENTS_BASIS_FOR_REMEDIAL_TEACHING
  10. Cayaon, M.C.J. (2022). Coping mechanism in college life of freshmen students of Western Philippines University-Main Campus. Retrieved November 11, 2024, from https://scimatic.org/storage/journals/11/pdfs/327.pdf
  11. Cebu, J. (2023). Self-efficacy of Filipino college students as correlates to demographics. Retrieved November 11, 2024, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368789042_Self-Efficacy_of_Filipino_College_Students_as_Correlates_to_Demographics
  12. Celesio, M., & Galvez, D. (2024). Grammatical deviations in the lesson plans among Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) English students. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://journals.stecab.com/index.php/jahss
  13. Clarin, A., et al. (2024). Students’ learning environment in relation to their perception in listening comprehension skills. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/students-learning-environment-in-relation-to-their-perception-in-listening-comprehension-skills/
  14. Cruz, M. (2019). More women in HS, college than men in PH, says report. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1206375/more-women-in-hs-college-than-men-in-ph-says-report
  15. Dadhabai, S., & Kamara, S.S. (2022). Students’ perception toward education environment factors that influence academic performance. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://media.neliti.com/media/publications/572491-students-perception-toward-education-env-d6a741c2.pdf
  16. DepEd Order No. 21, s. 2019. (2019). Policy guidelines on the K to 12 basic education program. Retrieved November 15, 2024, from https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DO_s2019_021.pdf
  17. Dolba, S.Q. (2023). The common errors in subject-verb agreement of students enrolled in Reading Clinique Center. Get International Research Journal, 10-20. Retrieved November 15, 2024, from https://philarchive.org/
  18. Gomez, D. (2022). An error analysis on students’ business letters. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from https://tinyurl.com/3ps88v8y
  19. Grammargeek. (2024). Subject-verb agreement rules. Retrieved November 15, 2024, from https://7esl.com/subject-verb-agreement/
  20. Kendra, C. (2023). What does ‘cognitive’ mean in psychology? Retrieved May 15, 2024, from https://www.verywellmind.com/perception-and-the-perceptual-process-2795839
  21. Labicance, G.E., & Olivia, R.M. (2023). Common errors in composition writing by college students. Retrieved May 13, 2024, from https://tinyurl.com/r2jthwsb
  22. Lamela, R., & Reyes, J. (2023). Grammatical errors in English among grade 8 students: Basis for module development. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/api/file/viewByFileId/1860392
  23. LaMorte, W.W. (2019). Diffusion of innovation theory. Boston University School of Public Health.
  24. Lemmon, C. (2023). Behaviors in the classroom: Management, strategies & examples. Retrieved May 13, 2024, from https://tinyurl.com/3eyksp93
  25. Lumines, B., & Malao, S. (2020). Language cognitive strategy analysis in learner diaries of college freshman students in Kalinga State University, Philippines. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from https://tinyurl.com/ycykawu4
  26. Merza, H.N. (2022). English grammar competence of Filipino college freshmen. Journal of Positive School Psychology. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from http://journalppw.com
  27. Morallo, A. (2022). Corpus-based investigation of S-V concord patterns of nouns with Latin plural endings. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from file:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/majer19_02_03%20(1).pdf
  28. Nordquist, R. (2020). English grammar: Discussions, definitions, and examples. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-grammar-1690909
  29. Park, H., & Kim, S. (2020). Age and language learning: Investigating grammar proficiency among EFL students. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 16(4), 1783–1794.
  30. Pratiwi, N. et al. (2020). Investigating the inhibiting factors in speaking English faced by senior high school students in Singaraja. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1249909.pdf (7 & 37)
  31. Qualtrics XM Institute (2024). Student perception surveys: What to ask and why. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://www.qualtrics.com/experience-management/industry/student-perception-survey/ (5)
  32. Sari, E.A., & Simanjuntak, T. (2022). An error analysis of English sentence construction in writing subject. In 5th FIRST T3 2021 International Conference. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from file:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/125970221.pdf (16, 35 & 46)
  33. Silver, L. (2019). Smartphone ownership is growing rapidly around the world, but not always equally. https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2019/02/05/smartphone-ownership-is-growing-rapidly-around-the-world-but-not-always-equally/ (12 & 35)
  34. Valderama, T. (2019). Pinoys’ English proficiency declines sharply. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/11/18/opinion/columnists/topanalysis/pinoys-english-proficiency-declines-sharply/656784/ (1)
  35. Wau, S. (2024). Errors on subject-verb agreement made by third semester students of the English language education study program of Nias Raya University. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://journal.ipts.ac.id/index.php/ED/article/view/5779/3205 (7 & 51)
  36. Wood, R., & Bandura, A. (1989). Social cognitive theory of organizational management. The Academy of Management Review, 14(3), 361-384. (3)