Subject-verb agreement is an essential rule in English grammar where the subject must match the verb in number and person. Below are the key rules with examples to guide you.
1. Singular Subject, Singular Verb
A singular subject requires a singular verb (verbs typically end with “s” in the present tense).
Example:
Correct: The dog barks.
Incorrect: The dog bark.
2. Plural Subject, Plural Verb
A plural subject requires a plural verb (verbs do not end with “s” in the present tense).
Example:
Correct: The dogs bark.
Incorrect: The dogs barks.
3. Compound Subjects
When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” use a plural verb.
Example:
Correct: John and Mary are friends.
Incorrect: John and Mary is friends.
However, when the compound subject is considered one entity, use a singular verb.
Example:
Correct: Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.
4. Subjects Joined by “or” or “nor”
When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Example:
InCorrect: Either the teacher or the students are coming.
Correct: Either the students or the teacher is coming.
5. Indefinite Pronouns
Some indefinite pronouns are always singular, while others are always plural.
5.1 Singular Pronouns
Pronouns like “everyone,” “each,” “somebody,” “nothing,” and “everybody” always take singular verbs.
Example:
Correct: Everyone is excited.
Incorrect: Everyone are excited.
5.2 Plural Pronouns
Pronouns like “few,” “both,” and “several” always take plural verbs.
Example:
Correct: Few are ready.
Incorrect: Few is ready.
5.3 Pronouns That Can Be Singular or Plural
Pronouns like “all,” “none,” and “some” can take singular or plural verbs depending on what they refer to.
Example:
Correct: All of the cake is gone. (singular)
Correct: All of the cookies are gone. (plural)
6. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns like “team,” “family,” “group,” and “jury” usually take singular verbs in American English, as they refer to a single entity.
Example:
Correct: The team is winning.
Incorrect: The team are winning.
In British English, collective nouns may take plural verbs.
7. Titles of Books, Movies, or Works
Titles of singular or plural works always take singular verbs.
Example:
Correct: “The Lord of the Rings” is an amazing book.
Incorrect: “The Lord of the Rings” are amazing books.
8. Fractions and Percentages
When a sentence involves fractions or percentages, the verb agrees with the noun following the fraction or percentage.
Example:
Correct: Fifty percent of the pie is eaten.
Correct: Fifty percent of the students are present.
9. Inverted Sentences
In sentences starting with “here” or “there,” the verb must agree with the subject that comes after it.
Example:
Correct: There is a book on the table.
Correct: There are books on the table.
10. Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds (verb forms ending in -ing that function as nouns) and infinitives (to + verb) used as subjects take singular verbs.
Example:
Correct: Swimming is a good exercise.
Correct: To run is healthy.
11. Special Nouns That Appear Plural
Some nouns that look plural but are singular in meaning take singular verbs.
Example:
Correct: The news is shocking.
Correct: Physics is a difficult subject.
12. Quantifiers
Words like “each,” “every,” and “neither” take singular verbs, even when they refer to multiple items.
Example:
Correct: Every student has a book.
Incorrect: Every student have a book.
Conclusion
Mastering subject-verb agreement is key to writing clear and grammatically correct sentences. By following these rules, you can ensure proper agreement between subjects and verbs, improving the quality of your communication.
