Grammar Rules: Singular and Plural Agreement

Singular/Plural Agreement

• A singular subject takes a singular verb (e.g., cat → is)
• A plural subject takes a plural verb (e.g., cats → are)
• If the subject is a singular noun that ends in -s, it still takes a singular verb (e.g., physics → is)

Collective Nouns

• Collective nouns can be either singular or plural, depending on the context
• If the collective noun is considered as a single unit, use a singular verb (e.g., the team is playing well)
• If the collective noun is considered as individual members, use a plural verb (e.g., the team are arguing among themselves)
• Common collective nouns include:
  • Group nouns: family, team, committee
  • Animal groups: herd, flock, pack

Irregular Verbs

• Irregular verbs do not follow the usual pattern of adding -s or -es to form the third person singular present tense
• Examples of irregular verbs:
  • Be: is (singular), are (plural)
  • Have: has (singular), have (plural)
  • Do: does (singular), do (plural)
  • Go: goes (singular), go (plural)
• Learn the irregular verb forms to ensure subject-verb agreement

Singular and Plural Subjects

• A singular subject takes a singular verb (e.g., cat → is)
• A plural subject takes a plural verb (e.g., cats → are)
• Singular nouns that end in -s still take a singular verb (e.g., physics → is)

Collective Nouns

• Can be singular or plural depending on context
• If considered as a single unit, use a singular verb (e.g., the team is playing well)
• If considered as individual members, use a plural verb (e.g., the team are arguing among themselves)
• Examples of collective nouns include:
  • Group nouns: family, team, committee
  • Animal groups: herd, flock, pack

Irregular Verbs

• Do not follow the usual pattern of adding -s or -es to form the third person singular present tense
• Examples of irregular verbs:
  • Be: is (singular), are (plural)
  • Have: has (singular), have (plural)
  • Do: does (singular), do (plural)
  • Go: goes (singular), go (plural)
• Learn irregular verb forms to ensure subject-verb agreement

Test your understanding of singular and plural agreement rules, including collective nouns, in English grammar. Learn how to use the correct verb forms with different subjects.