Subject-verb agreement in English grammar means the verb must match the subject in number and person. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
However, English has many irregular verbs and exceptions to general rules, making it difficult for learners to apply consistent logic. Subject-verb agreement can be particularly challenging for learners as English sentences can be complex, containing multiple clauses and phrases that can obscure the subject and the verb.
For instance, in the sentence “The teacher, along with her students, is going to the museum,” some learners might be misled by the noun closest to the verb (her students) rather than the actual subject (the teacher).
Here are subject and verb agreement rules that English learners need to know:
Table of Contents
- Rules
- Rule 1. All subjects except third-person singular use the base form of a verb in the present tense.
- Rule 2. A singular subject (one person, thing, or idea) takes a singular verb (ends in -s or -es in the present tense) and a plural subject (more than one person, thing, or idea) takes a plural verb (without -s or -es in the present tense).
- Rule 3. When two subjects are joined by “and,” they take a plural verb.
- Rule 4. When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
- Rule 5. Some indefinite pronouns always take singular and take a singular verb although they seem to refer to multiple people or things.
- Rule 6. Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., few, many, several) are always plural and take a plural verb.
- Rule 7. Parentheses are not part of the subject.
- Rule 8. If the sentence begins with there or here, the subject follows the verb.
- Quiz
Rules
Rule 1. All subjects except third-person singular use the base form of a verb in the present tense.
All subjects except third-person singular use the base form of a verb in the simple present tense.
Examples: I read every day.
They read every day.
However, if the subject is third-person singular, add an –s to the end of the verb.
Example: She reads every day.
If a verb ends in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, add –es to the verb.
Examples:
Base form: “pass”
Third-person singular: “She passes the final test.”
If a verb ends in a consonant followed by -y, change the -y to -i and add –es to the verb.
Example:
Base form: “cry”
Third-person singular: “He cries loudly.”
If a verb ends in a vowel followed by -y, simply add –s to the verb.
Example:
Base form: “play”
Third-person singular: “She plays piano.”
| Base Form | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
| walk | walks | He walks to school. |
| pass | passes | She passes the final test. |
| wash | washes | He washes the car. |
| fix | fixes | She fixes the computer. |
| cry | cries | He cries loudly. |
| try | tries | She tries her best. |
| play | plays | He plays the piano. |
| enjoy | enjoys | She enjoys reading. |
Rule 2. A singular subject (one person, thing, or idea) takes a singular verb (ends in -s or -es in the present tense) and a plural subject (more than one person, thing, or idea) takes a plural verb (without -s or -es in the present tense).
singular subject (one person, thing, or idea) takes a singular verb (ends in -s or -es in the present tense). A plural subject (more than one person, thing, or idea) takes a plural verb (without -s or -es in the present tense).
Example:
“The cat walks slowly.”
“Cat” is singular, so the verb “walks” is also singular.
Example:
“The cats walk slowly.”
“Cats” is plural, so the verb “walk” is also plural.
Rule 3. When two subjects are joined by “and,” they take a plural verb.
When two subjects are joined by “and,” they take a plural verb.
Example:
“The cat and the dog sit together.”
“Cat” and “dog” together are plural, so the verb “sit” is plural.
Rule 4. When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
Example:
“Either the cat or the dogs are in the living room.”
“Dogs” is closer to the verb and is plural, so the verb “are” is plural.
Example:
“Neither the dogs nor the cat is in the living room.”
“Cat” is closer to the verb and is singular, so the verb “is” is singular.
Rule 5. Some indefinite pronouns always take singular and take a singular verb although they seem to refer to multiple people or things.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns:
- Anybody/ anyone/ anything
Examples:
Does anybody need help with their work?
Has anyone got a pencil?
Anything is possible with hard work.
Despite referring to an unspecified group, “anybody” and “anything” take singular verbs (“does,” “has”, and “is”).
2. Everybody/ everything
Examples:
Everybody enjoys the concert.
Everything is ready for dinner.
Although these pronouns imply all members of a group, they still require singular verbs (“enjoys” and “is”).
3. Somebody/ Someone/ Something
Examples:
Someone needs to talk to the teacher.
Something smells good in the kitchen.
These pronouns refer to an unspecified individual or thing, and use singular verbs (“needs” and “smells”).
4. Nobody/ No one /Nothing
Examples:
Nobody knows the answer.
Nothing is impossible.
Even though these pronouns refer to the absence of people or things, they still take singular verbs (“knows” and “is”).
5. Each
Example:
Each of the students has a new book.
“Each” emphasizes individual members of a group, so it takes a singular verb (“has”).
6. Either/Neither
Examples:
Either option is acceptable.
Neither of the answers was correct.
“Either” and “neither” refer to one out of two choices and require singular verbs (“is” and “was”).
7. One
Example:
One of the tables is missing.
“One” specifies a single item out of a group, needing a singular verb (“is”).
8. Another
Example:
Another mistake has been made.
“Another” refers to an additional item or person, and uses a singular verb (“has”).
Rule 6. Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., few, many, several) are always plural and take a plural verb.
Example: “Many enjoy the concert.”
“Many” is plural, so the verb “enjoy” is plural.
Rule 7. Parentheses are not part of the subject.
Correct:
Incorrect:
Rule 8. If the sentence begins with there or here, the subject follows the verb.
Correct:
Incorrect: