Subject to Verb Agreement

Understanding subject-to-verb agreement ensures your sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand.

In this guide, we’ll break down the concept, explain the rules, highlight common mistakes, and give you practice exercises to build your confidence.

What is Subject to Verb Agreement?

Subject-to-verb agreement means that the subject and the verb in a sentence must match in number. A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Example:

• The cat runs across the yard. (Singular subject: cat, Singular verb: runs)
• The cats run across the yard. (Plural subject: cats, Plural verb: run)

This rule helps make sentences clear and logical.

Basic Rules of Subject-to-Verb Agreement

1. Singular Subjects Need Singular Verbs:

Singular subjects, such as third-person singular pronouns (he, she, it) and proper nouns like John and Lina, require a verb in the third-person singular form:

• He walks to school every day.
• James likes soccer.

2. Plural Subjects Need Plural Verbs:

Plural subjects, such as ‘we,’ ‘you’ (when referring to two or more people), and ‘they,’ require a plural verb:

• They walk to school every day.
• We are sorry.

3. When Two Subjects are Joined by ‘and’:

When two subjects are joined by ‘and,’ such as ‘Tom and Jerry’ or ‘Jane and Alan,’ they typically require a plural verb:

• Tom and Jerry are best friends. 
• Jane and Alan are married.

4. When Two Subjects are Joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’:

When two subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it (the one nearest to the verb).

• Neither the teacher nor the students are happy. (Correct, as ‘students’ is plural)
• Neither the students nor the teacher is happy. (Correct, as ‘teacher’ is singular)

5. Indefinite Pronouns Require Singular Verbs:

Indefinite pronouns, such as everyone, someone, nobody, and each, are always treated as singular and require singular verbs:

• Everyone is excited for the trip.
• Somebody has forgotten their umbrella. (Informal, but common)
• Somebody has forgotten his/her umbrella. (Formal)

More on indefinite pronouns.

6. Titles, singular nouns with plural forms, and sums are singular:

Titles, singular nouns with plural forms, and sums are considered singular and require singular verbs. For instance, news, even though it appears plural, is treated as singular. Similarly, sums or titles function as singular entities.

Examples:

• The news is shocking.
• Ten dollars is enough for lunch.
• “The Chronicles of Narnia” is a popular book series.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Subject-verb agreement can often be tricky, especially when dealing with collective nouns or indefinite pronouns.

Here are some typical mistakes learners make with subject-verb agreement and how to avoid them:

1. Subjects Separated by Other Words: 

When the subject and the verb in a sentence are separated by other words or phrases (like prepositional phrases or descriptive clauses), it can be easy to lose track of the subject.

However, the verb must still agree with the subject, not with the words in between.

Example:

• The box of chocolates is on the table. (Correct: ‘box’ is the subject, and it is singular.)
• The collection of old coins is valuable. (Correct: ‘collection’ is the subject, and it is singular.)

The key is to identify the main subject and ensure the verb matches its number, regardless of intervening words.

• The bag of apples is heavy. (Correct)

2. Collective Nouns:

Collective nouns represent a group of individuals or things considered as a single unit. The verb that follows a collective noun should be singular when the group is viewed as a whole.

• Incorrect: The team are playing well.
• Correct: The team is playing well.

In this case, “team” is treated as a single entity, so the singular verb “is” is used. However, if you’re emphasizing the individuals within the group acting separately, you can use the plural form.

• Example: The team are arguing amongst themselves.

2. Indefinite Pronouns Confusion:

Indefinite pronouns, such as “somebody,” “everyone,” and “nobody,” are often followed by singular verbs, even though they refer to more than one person or thing. This can be confusing when trying to match the verb to the subject correctly.

• Incorrect: Somebody have left their bag.
• Correct: Somebody has left their bag.

The pronoun “somebody” is singular, so the correct verb form is “has” (not “have”). This rule applies to other indefinite pronouns as well, such as “everyone,” “nobody,” and “anybody,” which all take singular verbs.

• Example: Everybody loves a good story.
• Correct: Everyone loves their lunch. (Not “love their lunch” – the verb remains singular)

Fun Tips for Remembering the Rules

• Always find the subject first before deciding on the verb.
• Practice with simple sentences before moving to complex ones.
• Use tools like grammar checkers to identify mistakes.

Practice Exercises: Quiz Yourself!

Conclusion

Subject-to-verb agreement is a fundamental grammar rule that can greatly improve your writing and speaking skills. Keep practicing, pay attention to the subject, and soon it will become second nature!

Keep practicing, and you’ll master subject-to-verb agreement!

Here are more grammar lessons to help you master English.

Related Pages

• What Are Verbs In English Grammar?
• The Subject In English Grammar
• What Are Pronouns In English?
• English Plural Nouns
• What Are Nouns?
• Collective Nouns In English