Subject-Verb Agreement: Rules and Examples

Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: Rules and Examples

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Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures clarity and coherence in writing and speech. It dictates that a verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject.

Let’s talk about something super important in English grammar—subject-verb agreement.

This concept might sound a bit technical at first, but I promise you, it’s something we use every single day. In simple terms, subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence has to match the subject in number. If the subject is singular, the verb should be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb should be plural too. Sounds easy, right? Well… it can get a little tricky when we throw in collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and compound subjects.

But don’t worry—that’s exactly why we’re here. In this lesson, I’ll walk you through:

  • The basic rules of subject-verb agreement

  • Common exceptions you need to watch out for

  • Plenty of examples to help everything click

  • Practice exercises so you can test your knowledge

Whether you’re writing essays, answering test questions, or having everyday conversations, getting subject-verb agreement right will make your English sound smoother and more professional.

Ready to become a grammar pro? Let’s dive in and learn how to make your subjects and verbs work together perfectly!

Table of Contents

Definition of Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement, also known as concord, is the grammatical rule that the verb in a sentence must match the number and person of its subject. In simpler terms, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

This agreement ensures that the sentence is grammatically correct and easy to understand. The core concept revolves around the relationship between the subject and the verb, ensuring they are in harmony.

The function of subject-verb agreement is to maintain clarity and coherence in writing. Without it, sentences can become confusing and ambiguous, hindering effective communication. It is a crucial element of standard English and is expected in both formal and informal contexts. Subject-verb agreement isn’t just about following rules; it’s about ensuring your message is easily understood and taken seriously.

In various contexts, subject-verb agreement is essential. From academic writing, where precision is paramount, to everyday conversations, where clear communication is key, this grammatical rule plays a vital role. Ignoring it can lead to misinterpretations and undermine the credibility of your message. Whether you are writing a report, sending an email, or presenting an argument, subject-verb agreement is a cornerstone of effective language use.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of subject-verb agreement is based on identifying the subject and the verb in a sentence and then ensuring they agree in number. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:

  1. Identify the Subject: The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb. It answers the question “Who?” or “What?” is doing something.
  2. Identify the Verb: The verb is the action word in the sentence. It describes what the subject is doing or what is happening.
  3. Determine the Number of the Subject: Decide whether the subject is singular (one) or plural (more than one).
  4. Choose the Correct Verb Form: Select the verb form that agrees with the number of the subject. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.

For example, in the sentence “The dog barks,” “dog” is the singular subject, and “barks” is the singular verb. In the sentence “The dogs bark,” “dogs” is the plural subject, and “bark” is the plural verb.

Notice how the verb changes to agree with the subject.

Understanding this structural breakdown is essential for mastering subject-verb agreement. It provides a step-by-step approach to analyzing sentences and ensuring that the subject and verb are in harmony.

By following these steps, you can avoid common errors and write with greater accuracy and confidence.

Types and Categories of Subjects

Subjects can be categorized into different types, each with its own rules for subject-verb agreement. Understanding these categories is crucial for accurate grammar.

Singular Subjects

A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or idea. Singular subjects require singular verbs. Examples of singular subjects include he, she, it, the cat, and my friend. The verb form typically ends in “-s” or “-es” in the present tense when used with a singular subject (except for the pronoun “I” and “you”).

Plural Subjects

A plural subject refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. Plural subjects require plural verbs. Examples of plural subjects include they, we, the cats, and my friends. The verb form typically does not end in “-s” or “-es” in the present tense when used with a plural subject.

Compound Subjects

A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction such as and, or, or nor. The verb agreement depends on the conjunction used. When subjects are joined by “and,” the verb is usually plural. When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things considered as a single unit. Examples include team, family, committee, and group. Whether a collective noun takes a singular or plural verb depends on whether the group is acting as a unit or as individual members. If the group is acting as a unit, use a singular verb. If the group members are acting individually, use a plural verb.

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific people or things. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, every, everyone, someone, nobody), while others are always plural (e.g., both, few, many, several). Still, others can be either singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most). Understanding which indefinite pronouns are singular and which are plural is crucial for correct subject-verb agreement.

Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement

To illustrate the principles of subject-verb agreement, let’s examine various examples categorized by subject type. These examples will help clarify how to apply the rules in different contexts.

Singular Subject Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences with singular subjects and their corresponding singular verbs. Notice how the verb form typically ends in “-s” or “-es” in the present tense.

Subject Verb Sentence
He Runs He runs every morning.
She Sings She sings beautifully.
It Rains It rains often in this region.
The cat Sleeps The cat sleeps on the windowsill.
My friend Lives My friend lives in New York.
The book Costs The book costs $20.
This car Needs This car needs new tires.
That tree Grows That tree grows very tall.
The idea Sounds The idea sounds interesting.
His job Requires His job requires a lot of travel.
The song Features The song features a talented vocalist.
Her smile Brightens Her smile brightens the room.
The computer Works The computer works efficiently.
The movie Entertains The movie entertains the audience.
The weather Is The weather is pleasant today.
The food Smells The food smells delicious.
The music Plays The music plays softly in the background.
The artwork Inspires The artwork inspires creativity.
The lesson Teaches The lesson teaches valuable skills.
The child Plays The child plays in the park.
The student Studies The student studies diligently.
The teacher Explains The teacher explains the concept.
The building Stands The building stands tall.
The phone Rings The phone rings loudly.
The train Arrives The train arrives on time.
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Plural Subject Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences with plural subjects and their corresponding plural verbs. Notice how the verb form typically does not end in “-s” or “-es” in the present tense.

Subject Verb Sentence
They Run They run every morning.
We Sing We sing in the choir.
The cats Sleep The cats sleep on the sofa.
My friends Live My friends live in different cities.
The books Cost The books cost a lot of money.
These cars Need These cars need to be repaired.
Those trees Grow Those trees grow quickly.
The ideas Sound The ideas sound promising.
Their jobs Require Their jobs require a lot of dedication.
The songs Feature The songs feature diverse genres.
Her smiles Brighten Her smiles brighten our day.
The computers Work The computers work efficiently together.
The movies Entertain The movies entertain millions of people.
The skies Are The skies are blue today.
The foods Smell The foods smell amazing.
The songs Play The songs play on the radio.
The artworks Inspire The artworks inspire many artists.
The lessons Teach The lessons teach valuable skills to students.
The children Play The children play in the playground.
The students Study The students study hard for their exams.
The teachers Explain The teachers explain the complex concepts.
The buildings Stand The buildings stand tall in the city.
The phones Ring The phones ring constantly.
The trains Arrive The trains arrive and depart on schedule.

Compound Subject Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences with compound subjects. Pay attention to how the conjunctions “and,” “or,” and “nor” affect the verb agreement.

Subject Conjunction Verb Sentence
John and Mary and Are John and Mary are going to the party.
The dog and the cat and Play The dog and the cat play together.
She or he or Is She or he is going to present the report.
Neither the students nor the teacher nor Is Neither the students nor the teacher is happy with the results.
The car and the truck and Need The car and the truck need repairs.
My brother and I and Are My brother and I are planning a trip.
The book or the magazine or Is The book or the magazine is on the table.
Neither the rain nor the snow nor Is Neither the rain nor the snow is stopping anytime soon.
The singer and the dancer and Perform The singer and the dancer perform on stage.
My mom and dad and Love My mom and dad love to travel.
Either the manager or the employees or Are Either the manager or the employees are responsible.
Neither the cat nor the dogs nor Are Neither the cat nor the dogs are allowed inside.
The sun and the moon and Shine The sun and the moon shine at different times.
Coffee and tea and Are Coffee and tea are my favorite beverages.
Either the cake or the pie or Is Either the cake or the pie is a good dessert.
Neither the players nor the coach nor Was Neither the players nor the coach was happy with the loss.
The actor and the actress and Starred The actor and the actress starred in the movie.
My sister and her friend and Went My sister and her friend went to the concert.
Either the boss or his assistants or Are Either the boss or his assistants are going to handle the task.
Neither the book nor the notes nor Were Neither the book nor the notes were helpful.
The author and the publisher and Collaborated The author and the publisher collaborated on the new book.
The bread and butter and Were The bread and butter were set on the table.
Either the students or the teacher or Is Either the students or the teacher is going to present the project.
Neither the cat nor the mouse nor Was Neither the cat nor the mouse was seen.
The pen and paper and Are The pen and paper are essential for writing.

Collective Noun Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences with collective nouns. Note how the verb agreement changes depending on whether the group is acting as a unit or as individual members.

Subject Verb Sentence
The team Is The team is playing well. (acting as a unit)
The team Are The team are arguing about the strategy. (acting individually)
The family Is The family is having dinner together. (acting as a unit)
The family Are The family are making individual plans for the holidays. (acting individually)
The committee Meets The committee meets every Tuesday. (acting as a unit)
The committee Have The committee have different opinions on the matter. (acting individually)
The group Is The group is working on a project. (acting as a unit)
The group Are The group are sharing their experiences. (acting individually)
The audience Is The audience is enjoying the performance. (acting as a unit)
The audience Are The audience are clapping enthusiastically. (acting individually)
The class Is The class is taking a test. (acting as a unit)
The class Are The class are working on different assignments. (acting individually)
The jury Is The jury is delivering its verdict. (acting as a unit)
The jury Are The jury are divided on the decision. (acting individually)
The staff Is The staff is dedicated to their work. (acting as a unit)
The staff Are The staff are taking breaks at different times. (acting individually)
The band Is The band is playing their hit song. (acting as a unit)
The band Are The band are tuning their instruments. (acting individually)
The herd Is The herd is grazing in the field. (acting as a unit)
The herd Are The herd are scattering in different directions. (acting individually)
The public Is The public is interested in the news. (acting as a unit)
The public Are The public are expressing their opinions. (acting individually)
The government Is The government is implementing new policies. (acting as a unit)
The government Are The government are debating the bill. (acting individually)
The corporation Is The corporation is expanding its operations. (acting as a unit)
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Indefinite Pronoun Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences with indefinite pronouns. Note how some indefinite pronouns are always singular, some are always plural, and some can be either singular or plural depending on the context.

Subject Verb Sentence
Each Has Each of the students has a book. (singular)
Every Is Every student is required to attend. (singular)
Everyone Is Everyone is welcome to join. (singular)
Someone Is Someone is knocking at the door. (singular)
Nobody Knows Nobody knows the answer. (singular)
Both Are Both of them are going to the concert. (plural)
Few Were Few were chosen for the team. (plural)
Many Have Many have already registered for the event. (plural)
Several Are Several are interested in the position. (plural)
Some Is Some of the water is gone. (singular – uncountable noun)
Some Are Some of the students are absent. (plural – countable noun)
Any Is Any of the pie is fine with me. (singular – uncountable noun)
Any Are Are any of the tickets still available? (plural – countable noun)
None Is None of the food is left. (singular – uncountable noun)
None Are None of the apples are rotten. (plural – countable noun)
All Is All of the milk is gone. (singular – uncountable noun)
All Are All of the children are playing outside. (plural – countable noun)
Most Is Most of the work is done. (singular – uncountable noun)
Most Are Most of the books are on the shelf. (plural – countable noun)
Another Is Another option is available. (singular)
Either Is Either choice is acceptable. (singular)
Neither Is Neither solution is satisfactory. (singular)
One Is One of the keys is missing. (singular)
Everything Is Everything is ready for the party. (singular)
Something Is Something is wrong with the computer. (singular)

Usage Rules

Understanding the usage rules of subject-verb agreement is essential for writing grammatically correct sentences. These rules cover the basic principles, exceptions, and special cases that you need to be aware of.

Basic Rules

The most fundamental rule is that singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. This applies to simple sentences in the present tense.

For example:

  • Singular: The dog barks.
  • Plural: The dogs bark.

In the past tense, the verb “to be” has two forms: “was” for singular subjects and “were” for plural subjects. For example:

  • Singular: I was there.
  • Plural: We were there.

It’s important to identify the subject correctly and ensure that the verb agrees with it in number. This is the foundation of subject-verb agreement.

Exceptions to the Rules

There are several exceptions to the basic rules of subject-verb agreement. These exceptions often involve compound subjects, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns.

  • Compound Subjects Joined by “and”: Generally, compound subjects joined by “and” take a plural verb. However, if the subjects refer to a single entity or idea, a singular verb is used. For example: “Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.”
  • Compound Subjects Joined by “or” or “nor”: The verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb. For example: “Neither the students nor the teacher is happy.”
  • Collective Nouns: Collective nouns take a singular verb when the group is acting as a unit and a plural verb when the members are acting individually.
  • Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, every, everyone), while others are always plural (e.g., both, few, many, several). Others can be either singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most).

Understanding these exceptions is crucial for avoiding common errors in subject-verb agreement.

Special Cases

There are some special cases where subject-verb agreement can be tricky. These cases often involve sentences with inverted order, relative clauses, and phrases that come between the subject and the verb.

  • Inverted Sentences: In sentences where the subject comes after the verb, ensure that the verb agrees with the subject. For example: “There are many reasons to be happy.”
  • Relative Clauses: The verb in a relative clause agrees with the noun or pronoun that the clause modifies. For example: “The book that is on the table is mine.”
  • Phrases Between Subject and Verb: Ignore phrases that come between the subject and the verb when determining subject-verb agreement. For example: “The box of chocolates is delicious.”

Being aware of these special cases will help you navigate complex sentences and maintain correct subject-verb agreement.

Common Mistakes

Even experienced writers and speakers sometimes make mistakes in subject-verb agreement. Recognizing these common errors and understanding how to correct them is essential for improving your grammar.

Here are some common mistakes and their corrections:

  • Incorrect: The students is studying.
    • Correct: The students are studying.
  • Incorrect: Each of the students have a book.
    • Correct: Each of the students has a book.
  • Incorrect: John and Mary is going to the store.
    • Correct: John and Mary are going to the store.
  • Incorrect: The team are playing well. (when acting as a unit)
    • Correct: The team is playing well.
  • Incorrect: There is many reasons to be happy.
    • Correct: There are many reasons to be happy.
  • Incorrect: The dog, along with his friends, bark loudly.
    • Correct: The dog, along with his friends, barks loudly.
  • Incorrect: Neither the cats nor the dog are allowed in the house.
    • Correct: Neither the cats nor the dog is allowed in the house.
  • Incorrect: All of the cake are gone.
    • Correct: All of the cake is gone.
  • Incorrect: The data is incorrect.
    • Correct: The data are incorrect. (Data is plural form of datum)
  • Incorrect: Measles are a serious disease.
    • Correct: Measles is a serious disease.

By paying attention to these common mistakes and practicing regularly, you can improve your accuracy in subject-verb agreement.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of subject-verb agreement, complete the following practice exercises. These exercises cover various aspects of subject-verb agreement, including singular and plural subjects, compound subjects, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns.

Exercise 1: Basic Subject-Verb Agreement

Choose the correct verb form in each sentence:

Question Answer
1. The cat (sleeps/sleep) on the couch. sleeps
2. The dogs (barks/bark) loudly. bark
3. She (reads/read) every night before bed. reads
4. They (plays/play) soccer on the weekends. play
5. It (rains/rain) often in the spring. rains
6. He (watches/watch) TV in the evenings. watches
7. We (listens/listen) to music while we work. listen
8. The bird (sings/sing) beautifully. sings
9. The students (studies/study) hard for
their exams.		 study
10. My friend (lives/live) in another city. lives
11. The car (needs/need) new tires. needs
12. The flowers (smells/smell) sweet. smell
13. The sun (shines/shine) brightly. shines
14. The moon (appears/appear) at night. appears
15. The stars (twinkles/twinkle) in the sky. twinkle

Exercise 2: Compound Subjects

Choose the correct verb form in each sentence:

Question Answer
1. John and Mary (is/are) going to the party. are
2. The dog and the cat (plays/play) together. play
3. My brother and I (am/are) planning a trip. are
4. The singer and the dancer (performs/perform) on stage. perform
5. My mom and dad (loves/love) to travel. love
6. Coffee and tea (is/are) my favorite beverages. are
7. The actor and the actress (starred/stars) in the movie. starred
8. My sister and her friend (went/go) to the concert. went
9. The pen and paper (is/are) essential for writing. are
10. Either the students or the teacher (is/are) going to present the project. is
11. Neither the cat nor the mouse (was/were) seen. was
12. She or he (is/are) going to present the report. is
13. The car and the truck (needs/need) repairs. need
14. The book or the magazine (is/are) on the table. is
15. Neither the rain nor the snow (is/are) stopping anytime soon. is
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Exercise 3: Collective Nouns and Indefinite Pronouns

Choose the correct verb form in each sentence:

Question Answer
1. The team (is/are) playing well. is
2. The family (is/are) having dinner together. is
3. The committee (meets/meet) every Tuesday. meets
4. The group (is/are) working on a project. is
5. The audience (is/are) enjoying the performance. is
6. Each of the students (has/have) a book. has
7. Every student (is/are) required to attend. is
8. Everyone (is/are) welcome to join. is
9. Some of the water (is/are) gone. is
10. Some of the students (is/are) absent. are
11. Any of the pie (is/are) fine with me. is
12. Are any of the tickets (is/are) still available? are
13. None of the food (is/are) left. is
14. All of the milk (is/are) gone. is
15. All of the children (is/are) playing outside. are

Exercise 4: Mixed Practice

Choose the correct verb form in each sentence:

Question Answer
1. The book that is on the table (is/are) mine. is
2. There (is/are) many reasons to be happy. are
3. The box of chocolates (is/are) delicious. is
4. The data (is/are) incorrect. are
5. Measles (is/are) a serious disease. is
6. The dog, along with his friends, (barks/bark) loudly. barks
7. Neither the cats nor the dog (is/are) allowed in the house. is
8. All of the cake (is/are) gone. is
9. The students in my class (is/are) very intelligent. are
10. The price of the tickets (is/are) too high. is
11. A number of students (has/have) volunteered. have
12. The number of students (is/are) increasing. is
13. The majority of the book (is/are) interesting. is
14. The majority of the books (is/are) on the shelf. are
15. Each of the girls (sings/sing) beautifully. sings

Advanced Topics

Once you have a firm grasp of the basic rules and common exceptions, you can explore more advanced topics in subject-verb agreement. These topics include inverted sentences, relative clauses, and sentences starting with “there.”

Inverted Sentences

In inverted sentences, the subject comes after the verb, which can make it challenging to identify the correct verb form. The key is to find the subject and ensure the verb agrees with it, regardless of its position in the sentence.

Examples:

  • Correct: There are many reasons to be happy.
  • Incorrect: There is many reasons to be happy.
  • Correct: Here is the book you wanted.
  • Incorrect: Here are the book you wanted.

In these examples, the word “there” or “here” is not the subject. The subject is “reasons” in the first example and “book” in the second.

Therefore, the verb must agree with these subjects.

Relative Clauses

Relative clauses are clauses that modify a noun or pronoun and are introduced by relative pronouns such as “who,” “which,” and “that.” The verb in a relative clause must agree with the noun or pronoun that the clause modifies.

Examples:

  • Correct: The book that is on the table is mine.
  • Incorrect: The book that are on the table is mine.
  • Correct: The students who study hard get good grades.
  • Incorrect: The students who studies hard get good grades.

In these examples, the relative clause “that is on the table” modifies “book,” so the verb “is” must agree with the singular noun “book.” Similarly, the relative clause “who study hard” modifies “students,” so the verb “study” must agree with the plural noun “students.”

Sentences Starting with “There”

Sentences that begin with “there” often cause confusion in subject-verb agreement. In these sentences, “there” is an expletive, not the subject.

The real subject comes after the verb, so the verb must agree with the subject that follows it.

Examples:

  • Correct: There is a book on the shelf.
  • Incorrect: There are a book on the shelf.
  • Correct: There are many books on the shelf.
  • Incorrect: There is many books on the shelf.

In these examples, “there” is not the subject. The subject is “book” in the first example and “books” in the second.

Therefore, the verb must agree with these subjects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about subject-verb agreement:

What is subject-verb agreement?

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject.

How do I identify the subject in a sentence?

The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb. It answers the question “Who?” or “What?” is doing something.

What if there is a phrase between the subject and the verb?

Ignore the phrase between the subject and the verb when determining subject-verb agreement. The verb must agree with the actual subject, not the words in the phrase.

How do I handle compound subjects?

If the subjects are joined by “and,” use a plural verb. If the subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb.

What about collective nouns?

If the collective noun is acting as a unit, use a singular verb. If the members of the collective noun are acting individually, use a plural verb.

Are there any indefinite pronouns that are always singular?

Yes, some indefinite pronouns are always singular, including each, every, everyone, someone, and nobody.

How do I handle sentences that start with “there”?

In sentences that start with “there,” the subject comes after the verb. Make sure the verb agrees with the subject that follows it.

What if I’m still unsure about subject-verb agreement?

Practice regularly, review the rules and examples, and ask for feedback on your writing. Over time, you’ll become more confident in your ability to apply subject-verb agreement correctly.

Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement is a crucial step toward becoming a proficient and confident communicator. By understanding the definition, structural breakdown, and types of subjects, you can navigate the complexities of English grammar with ease.

The examples and exercises provided in this guide are designed to reinforce your knowledge and help you avoid common mistakes.

Remember that practice is key to mastering any grammatical concept. The more you write and review your work, the more natural subject-verb agreement will become.

Don’t be discouraged by occasional errors; instead, use them as learning opportunities to refine your understanding and improve your accuracy. With dedication and attention to detail, you can confidently apply the rules of subject-verb agreement and elevate the clarity and precision of your writing.