Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

• A subject and verb must agree in number. A singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb.

• Singular subjects (e.g., he, she, it, a noun referring to a single person or thing) take singular verbs (e.g., is, has, runs).

• Plural subjects (e.g., they, we, you, a noun referring to more than one person or thing) take plural verbs (e.g., are, have, run).

Identifying the Subject

• The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb. It's often the first noun or pronoun in the sentence.

• Sometimes, phrases come between the subject and verb. Ignore these intervening phrases when determining subject-verb agreement.

Compound Subjects

• When two or more subjects are joined by and, the subject is plural, and the verb should be plural.

• Example: The dog and the cat are playing.

• When two or more subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject closer to the verb.

• Example: The dog or the cats are playing. (Verb agrees with cats because it's closer)

• Example: The cats or the dog is playing (Verb agrees with dog).

Indefinite Pronouns

• Indefinite pronouns like each, every, anyone, nobody, someone, and everybody are singular and take singular verbs.

• Example: Everyone is happy today.

• Indefinite pronouns like both, few, many, several, and others are plural and take plural verbs.

• Example: Many are coming to the party.

Collective Nouns

• Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, group) can be singular or plural, depending on the context. If the group acts as a single unit, the verb is singular. If the members of the group act individually, the verb is plural.

• Example: The team is practicing. (The entire team acts as a unit.)

• Example: The team are playing various roles. (Members of the team are acting individually).

Compound Subjects with "or" vs. "nor"

• When the compound subject uses or or nor, the verb agrees with the noun that is closer to the verb.

• Example: Neither the student nor the teachers are responsible.

• Example: Either the teacher or the students are responsible.

Subjects with Prepositional Phrases

• Prepositional phrases (e.g., in the box, on the table) usually don't affect subject-verb agreement. The subject will be before the phrase, not part of it.

• Example: The books on the shelf are mine.

Other Important Considerations

• Titles of books, movies, etc., are usually treated as singular and take singular verbs.

• In sentences containing prepositional phrases, make sure the subject of the sentence remains before the phrase.

• Make sure you correctly identify the subject despite the presence of intervening phrases, especially with compound subjects. The verb must still agree with the subject and not the intervening phrase.