Subject-Verb Agreement Errors in ESL Students' Academic Writing: A Surface Taxonomy Approach

Authors

  • Muhammad Ramzan PhD Scholar English Linguistics, Department of English Linguistics, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
  • Zainab Azmat HOD and Assistant Professor, Department of English and Modern Languages, Pak-Austria Fachhochschule, Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Haripur, KPK, Pakistan.
  • Misbah Afsheen Khan Assistant Professor, Department of English Linguistics, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
  • Zaib un Nisa Visiting Lecturer, Department of English, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53057/linfo/2023.5.2.3

Keywords:

surface taxonomy, ESL students, subject-verb agreement errors, qualitative study

Abstract

This qualitative research study aims to analyze subject-verb agreement errors made by non-native English-speaking ESL students in their writing. The researcher assigned a task to the students to write a 200-sentence paragraph on the importance of education, and their writing samples were analyzed using a surface taxonomy approach. The study used purposive sampling to select 10 students from a public university in Lahore. The results showed that omission errors were the most common type of error, followed by misformation, addition, and misordering errors. This study provides insights into the challenges that ESL students face in mastering subject-verb agreement in their writing. These findings have implications for ESL teachers in designing effective language instruction that can help students improve their writing skills and avoid common subject-verb agreement errors.

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Author Biographies

Muhammad Ramzan, PhD Scholar English Linguistics, Department of English Linguistics, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

Muhammad Ramzan is a distinguished PhD Scholar specializing in English Linguistics within the esteemed Department of English Linguistics at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. With an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, his research focus revolves around the dynamic domains of second language learning, testing and evaluation, and research methodology. His scholarly pursuits reflect his profound dedication to unraveling the intricacies of language acquisition, assessment, and the robust methodologies that underpin rigorous academic investigation. As he continues to make strides in his academic journey, he remains an ardent contributor to the scholarly discourse in his areas of expertise.

Zainab Azmat, HOD and Assistant Professor, Department of English and Modern Languages, Pak-Austria Fachhochschule, Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Haripur, KPK, Pakistan.

Zainab Azmat is a dedicated educator and scholar, holding the esteemed positions of Head of Department (HOD) and Assistant Professor within the Department of English and Modern Languages at Pak-Austria Fachhochschule, Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology. With a passion for fostering academic excellence, Zainab has established herself as a driving force in the field of education.

Misbah Afsheen Khan, Assistant Professor, Department of English Linguistics, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

Dr. Misbah Afsheen Khan is a distinguished educator and scholar, holding the esteemed position of Assistant Professor within the Department of English Linguistics at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. With a deep passion for language and linguistics, Dr. Khan has established herself as a prominent figure in the academic community.

Zaib un Nisa, Visiting Lecturer, Department of English, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan.

Zaib un Nisa is a dedicated Visiting Lecturer within the Department of English at Government College University in Lahore, Pakistan. With a strong passion for education and language, Zaib un Nisa has made her mark as a committed educator in the academic community.

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Published

2023-06-30

How to Cite

Ramzan, M., Azmat, Z., Afsheen Khan, M., & Nisa, Z. un. (2023). Subject-Verb Agreement Errors in ESL Students’ Academic Writing: A Surface Taxonomy Approach. Linguistic Forum - A Journal of Linguistics, 5(2), 16–21. https://doi.org/10.53057/linfo/2023.5.2.3