What is Subject Verb Agreement Rules of Subject Verb Agreement

Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide

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Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, ensuring that the verb in a sentence correctly corresponds with its subject in number (singular or plural). A solid understanding of this principle is crucial for clear and effective communication, both in writing and speech.

Mastering subject-verb agreement enhances the accuracy and professionalism of your language, preventing misunderstandings and improving overall comprehension. This guide is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners seeking a foundational understanding to advanced speakers aiming to refine their grammatical precision.

By exploring the rules, exceptions, and common errors associated with subject-verb agreement, you will gain the confidence to construct grammatically sound sentences and express your ideas with clarity and authority.

Table of Contents

Definition of Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that dictates the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. This means that a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. This agreement ensures clarity and grammatical correctness in writing and speech. It’s a cornerstone of English grammar, affecting sentence structure and overall comprehension. The concept is relatively straightforward, but its application can become complex with compound subjects, collective nouns, and other grammatical structures.

The function of subject-verb agreement is to maintain grammatical coherence and clarity within a sentence. By ensuring that the verb aligns with the subject, the sentence conveys its intended meaning without ambiguity. In various contexts, from formal writing to everyday conversation, adhering to subject-verb agreement is essential for effective communication. Lack of agreement can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of standard English, influencing how sentences are constructed and understood by native and non-native speakers alike.

Structural Breakdown

The basic structure of a sentence involves a subject and a verb. The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is being described.

The verb is the action word or state of being. To achieve subject-verb agreement, one must first identify the subject of the sentence.

Sometimes the subject is straightforward, but other times it may be hidden within a phrase or clause. Once the subject is identified, determine whether it is singular or plural.

Then, choose the verb form that matches the subject’s number.

The pattern is simple: Singular Subject + Singular Verb and Plural Subject + Plural Verb. For example, “The cat sits” (singular) versus “The cats sit” (plural). However, in some cases, intervening phrases or clauses can make it difficult to identify the true subject. For instance, in the sentence “The box of apples is heavy,” the subject is “box,” not “apples.” Therefore, the verb must agree with “box” (singular). Understanding these structural nuances is key to mastering subject-verb agreement.

Types and Categories

Singular Subjects

A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or idea. Singular subjects take singular verbs. Common singular subjects include nouns like cat, dog, book, and pronouns like he, she, it. For example, “The dog barks” or “She sings.” These singular subjects pair with the singular forms of the verbs “barks” and “sings.” Identifying singular subjects is the first step in ensuring correct subject-verb agreement.

Plural Subjects

A plural subject refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. Plural subjects take plural verbs. Plural subjects often end in “-s,” such as cats, dogs, books, and pronouns like they and we. For instance, “The dogs bark” or “They sing.” The plural subjects “dogs” and “they” are paired with the plural verb forms “bark” and “sing.” Recognizing plural subjects is crucial for proper verb agreement.

Compound Subjects

A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction. The verb form depends on the conjunction used. If the subjects are joined by “and,” the verb is usually plural. For example, “John and Mary are going to the store.” However, if the subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, “Neither the students nor the teacher is here.” or “Neither the teacher nor the students are here.” Understanding how conjunctions affect verb agreement with compound subjects is important.

Collective Nouns

A collective noun refers to a group of individuals but is treated as a single unit. Examples include team, family, committee, and audience. Collective nouns can be either singular or plural, depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members. If the group is acting as a single unit, the verb is singular. For example, “The team is playing well.” If the group members are acting individually, the verb is plural. For example, “The family are arguing about the vacation.” (This usage is more common in British English.) The context determines whether the collective noun takes a singular or plural verb.

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, everyone, someone, nobody), while others are always plural (e.g., both, few, several, many), and some can be either singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most). When using indefinite pronouns, it’s important to know whether they require a singular or plural verb. For example, “Everyone is ready” (singular) versus “Both are ready” (plural). Correctly identifying the number of indefinite pronouns is essential for subject-verb agreement.

Intervening Phrases

Intervening phrases are phrases that come between the subject and the verb. It is important to note that these phrases do not affect subject-verb agreement. For example, in the sentence “The dog, along with his puppies, is running in the park,” the subject is “dog,” not “puppies.” Therefore, the verb should agree with “dog” (singular). Ignoring intervening phrases ensures correct subject-verb agreement.

Inverted Sentences

Inverted sentences occur when the subject follows the verb, often in questions or sentences beginning with phrases like “here is” or “there are.” In these cases, it’s crucial to identify the subject correctly and ensure the verb agrees with it. For example, “Where are the keys?” (the subject is “keys,” which is plural) or “There is a book on the table” (the subject is “book,” which is singular). Paying attention to the subject’s position in inverted sentences is necessary for proper verb agreement.

Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement

The following tables provide extensive examples of subject-verb agreement across various categories, illustrating the principles discussed above. These examples are designed to reinforce your understanding and help you apply the rules effectively.

Table 1 presents examples of subject-verb agreement with singular and plural subjects. Notice how the verb changes to match the number of the subject.

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Subject Verb Sentence
The cat sits The cat sits on the mat.
The cats sit The cats sit on the mat.
He plays He plays the guitar.
They play They play the guitar.
She reads She reads a book.
We read We read books.
It rains It rains often in the spring.
The student studies The student studies diligently.
The students study The students study together in the library.
My friend lives My friend lives in New York.
My friends live My friends live all over the world.
The bird sings The bird sings beautifully in the morning.
The birds sing The birds sing a chorus in the forest.
The car needs The car needs to be washed.
The cars need The cars need to be serviced.
The house stands The house stands on a hill.
The houses stand The houses stand in a row.
The tree grows The tree grows tall and strong.
The trees grow The trees grow in the orchard.
The apple tastes The apple tastes sweet.

Table 2 illustrates subject-verb agreement with compound subjects. Note the use of “and,” “or,” and “nor” and their effect on the verb form.

Subject Verb Sentence
John and Mary are John and Mary are going to the park.
The cat and the dog play The cat and the dog play together.
Coffee or tea is Coffee or tea is a good choice.
Neither the cat nor the dog is Neither the cat nor the dog is here.
The students and the teacher are The students and the teacher are in the classroom.
The book and the pen are The book and the pen are on the desk.
Pizza or pasta is Pizza or pasta is a great option for dinner.
Neither the rain nor the snow is Neither the rain nor the snow is stopping anytime soon.
The car and the motorcycle are The car and the motorcycle are parked in the garage.
The sun and the moon are The sun and the moon are celestial bodies.
The singer and the dancer perform The singer and the dancer perform on stage.
The computer and the printer are The computer and the printer are essential for work.
Ice cream or cake is Ice cream or cake is a delicious dessert.
Neither the shirt nor the pants fit Neither the shirt nor the pants fit me well.
The guitar and the drums are The guitar and the drums are musical instruments.
The flowers and the vase are The flowers and the vase are on the table.
The bread and the butter are The bread and the butter are ready for breakfast.
The knife and the fork are The knife and the fork are in the drawer.
The hammer and the nails are The hammer and the nails are in the toolbox.
The salt and the pepper are The salt and the pepper are on the counter.

Table 3 provides examples of subject-verb agreement with collective nouns. Pay attention to how the verb changes based on whether the collective noun is acting as a unit or as individual members.

Subject Verb Sentence
The team is The team is playing well.
The family is The family is eating dinner.
The committee has The committee has made a decision.
The audience is The audience is applauding.
The jury is The jury is deliberating.
The class is The class is taking a test.
The group is The group is working on a project.
The band is The band is playing a concert.
The staff is The staff is attending a meeting.
The government is The government is implementing new policies.
The crowd is The crowd is cheering loudly.
The flock is The flock of birds is flying south.
The herd is The herd of cattle is grazing in the field.
The school is The school is organizing a fundraiser.
The company is The company is launching a new product.
The nation is The nation is celebrating its independence.
The public is The public is demanding change.
The world is The world is facing many challenges.
The community is The community is supporting local businesses.
The organization is The organization is working to achieve its goals.

Table 4 provides examples of subject-verb agreement with indefinite pronouns. Note how the verb form changes depending on whether the indefinite pronoun is singular or plural.

Subject Verb Sentence
Everyone is Everyone is happy.
Someone has Someone has left the door open.
Nobody knows Nobody knows the answer.
Each has Each of the students has a book.
Everything is Everything is ready.
Both are Both are going to the party.
Few know Few know the truth.
Several are Several are interested in the project.
Many are Many are attending the conference.
Some are Some are already here.
All are All are welcome.
Most are Most are in agreement.
Any is Any of this cake is fine with me.
None is None of the food is left.
One is One is enough.
Another is Another is needed.
Anything is Anything is possible.
Nothing is Nothing is certain.
Either is Either is acceptable.
Neither is Neither is available.

Table 5 provides examples of subject-verb agreement with inverted sentences. Notice how the subject comes after the verb in these sentences.

Sentence Subject Verb
Where are the keys? the keys are
There is a book on the table. a book is
Here are the documents. the documents are
Is she coming to the party? she is
Are they going to the concert? they are
Why is he late? he is
How are you feeling? you are
What is the problem? the problem is
When are we leaving? we are
There are many reasons to be happy. many reasons are
Here is your coffee. your coffee is
Is there any milk in the fridge? any milk is
Are there any questions? any questions are
Why are the birds singing? the birds are
How is the weather today? the weather is
What are the consequences? the consequences are
When is the train arriving? the train is
There was a loud noise. a loud noise was
Here comes the sun. the sun comes
Are these your glasses? these are

Usage Rules

Rule One: Basic Agreement

The fundamental rule is that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. Singular subjects usually refer to one person, place, thing, or idea, while plural subjects refer to more than one. For example, “The dog barks” (singular) and “The dogs bark” (plural). This rule forms the foundation of subject-verb agreement.

Rule Two: Compound Subjects with ‘and’

When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” they form a compound subject, which generally takes a plural verb. For example, “John and Mary are going to the store.” However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity or idea, it takes a singular verb. For example, “Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish.” Recognizing whether the compound subject represents a single idea is key.

Rule Three: Compound Subjects with ‘or’/’nor’

When two or more subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, “Neither the students nor the teacher is here.” (The verb agrees with “teacher,” which is singular.) Conversely, “Neither the teacher nor the students are here.” (The verb agrees with “students,” which is plural.) The proximity principle governs verb agreement in these cases.

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Rule Four: Collective Nouns

Collective nouns can be tricky. They refer to a group of people or things.

Usually, if the group is acting as a unit, use a singular verb. For example, “The team is playing well.” But, if the members of the group are acting individually, use a plural verb (though this is more common in British English).

For instance, “The family are arguing about their holiday plans”. The context helps determine the correct verb form.

Rule Five: Indefinite Pronouns (Singular)

Some indefinite pronouns are always singular and take a singular verb. These include words like “each,” “everyone,” “someone,” “nobody,” “anyone,” “anything,” “everything,” “either,” and “neither.” For example, “Everyone is ready to go.” Remember these singular indefinite pronouns to avoid errors.

Rule Six: Indefinite Pronouns (Plural)

Other indefinite pronouns are always plural and require a plural verb. These include “both,” “few,” “many,” and “several.” For example, “Both are invited to the party.” Knowing these plural indefinite pronouns is essential for accurate agreement.

Rule Seven: Indefinite Pronouns (Variable)

Some indefinite pronouns can be either singular or plural depending on the noun they refer to. These include “some,” “any,” “none,” “all,” and “most.” If the pronoun refers to a countable noun, use a plural verb.

If it refers to an uncountable noun, use a singular verb. For example, “Some of the students are here” (plural) versus “Some of the water is gone” (singular).

Context is everything with these pronouns.

Rule Eight: Phrases Between Subject and Verb

Phrases or clauses that come between the subject and the verb do not change the verb agreement. Ignore these intervening phrases and focus on the true subject.

For example, “The book, along with its illustrations, is interesting.” The verb “is” agrees with “book,” not “illustrations.” Focus on the core subject to avoid errors.

Rule Nine: Inverted Sentences

In inverted sentences, the subject comes after the verb. Identify the subject carefully and make sure the verb agrees with it.

For example, “There are many stars in the sky.” The subject is “stars,” so the verb is “are.” Finding the subject in unusual sentence structures is key.

Rule Ten: Titles of Works

Titles of books, movies, and other creative works are treated as singular, even if they appear plural. For example, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a classic novel.” Always use a singular verb with titles, regardless of their apparent number.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is failing to recognize intervening phrases. For example, incorrectly writing “The quality of the apples are poor” instead of “The quality of the apples is poor.” Another error is misidentifying the subject in inverted sentences. For instance, incorrectly writing “There is many reasons” instead of “There are many reasons.” Additionally, incorrectly treating collective nouns as always singular or always plural is a frequent mistake. For example, incorrectly writing “The team are playing well” (when the team is acting as a unit) instead of “The team is playing well.” Understanding these common pitfalls and how to avoid them is crucial for mastering subject-verb agreement.

Another source of errors lies in the misidentification of indefinite pronouns. For example, incorrectly writing “Everyone are happy” instead of “Everyone is happy.” Compound subjects can also cause confusion, especially when joined by “or” or “nor.” For instance, incorrectly writing “Neither the cat nor the dogs is here” instead of “Neither the cat nor the dogs are here.” Being mindful of these common errors and practicing correct usage will improve your grammatical accuracy.

Table 6 shows examples of common mistakes in subject-verb agreement, along with the corrections.

Incorrect Correct Explanation
The quality of the apples are poor. The quality of the apples is poor. The subject is “quality,” not “apples.”
There is many reasons. There are many reasons. The subject is “reasons,” which is plural.
The team are playing well. The team is playing well. “Team” is acting as a unit.
Everyone are happy. Everyone is happy. “Everyone” is a singular indefinite pronoun.
Neither the cat nor the dogs is here. Neither the cat nor the dogs are here. The verb agrees with “dogs,” the closest subject.
Each of the students have a book. Each of the students has a book. “Each” is a singular indefinite pronoun.
The dog, along with his puppies, are running. The dog, along with his puppies, is running. The subject is “dog,” not “puppies.”
Physics are a difficult subject. Physics is a difficult subject. “Physics” is singular in this context.
The news are surprising. The news is surprising. “News” is a singular noun.
My family are very supportive. My family is very supportive. “Family” is acting as a unit.
Some of the cake are gone. Some of the cake is gone. “Cake” is an uncountable noun.
Some of the apples is rotten. Some of the apples are rotten. “Apples” is a plural noun.
There’s a lot of people waiting. There are a lot of people waiting. “People” is plural, so use “are”.
Was you at the meeting yesterday? Were you at the meeting yesterday? Use “were” with “you” in the past tense.
The data is incorrect. The data are incorrect. “Data” is the plural form of “datum”.
Economics are an interesting subject. Economics is an interesting subject. “Economics” is singular in this context.
Math are my favorite subject. Math is my favorite subject. “Math” is singular in this context.
Five dollars are too much to pay. Five dollars is too much to pay. When referring to a sum of money, treat it as singular.
The United States are a powerful country. The United States is a powerful country. “The United States” is treated as a singular entity.
Each of them are talented. Each of them is talented. “Each” is always singular.

Practice Exercises

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. These exercises cover various aspects of subject-verb agreement and will help you reinforce your understanding.

Exercise 1: Basic Agreement

Question Answer
1. The cat (sleep) ______ on the sofa. sleeps
2. The dogs (bark) ______ loudly. bark
3. She (read) ______ a book every night. reads
4. They (play) ______ soccer in the park. play
5. He (watch) ______ TV after dinner. watches
6. We (eat) ______ breakfast at 7 am. eat
7. It (rain) ______ frequently in April. rains
8. The bird (sing) ______ in the morning. sings
9. The students (study) ______ hard for the exam. study
10. My friend (live) ______ in another city. lives

Exercise 2: Compound Subjects

Question Answer
1. John and Mary (be) ______ going to the party. are
2. The cat and the dog (play) ______ together. play
3. Coffee or tea (be) ______ a good choice. is
4. Neither the cat nor the dog (be) ______ here. is
5. The students and the teacher (be) ______ in the classroom. are
6. The book and the pen (be) ______ on the desk. are
7. Pizza or pasta (be) ______ a great option for dinner. is
8. Neither the rain nor the snow (be) ______ stopping anytime soon. is
9. The car and the motorcycle (be) ______ parked in the garage. are
10. The sun and the moon (be) ______ celestial bodies. are
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Exercise 3: Collective Nouns

Question Answer
1. The team (be) ______ playing well. is
2. The family (be) ______ eating dinner. is
3. The committee (have) ______ made a decision. has
4. The audience (be) ______ applauding. is
5. The jury (be) ______ deliberating. is
6. The class (be) ______ taking a test. is
7. The group (be) ______ working on a project. is
8. The band (be) ______ playing a concert. is
9. The staff (be) ______ attending a meeting. is
10. The government (be) ______ implementing new policies. is

Exercise 4: Indefinite Pronouns

Question Answer
1. Everyone (be) ______ happy. is
2. Someone (have) ______ left the door open. has
3. Nobody (know) ______ the answer. knows
4. Each (have) ______ a book. has
5. Everything (be) ______ ready. is
6. Both (be) ______ going to the party. are
7. Few (know) ______ the truth. know
8. Several (be) ______ interested in the project. are
9. Many (be) ______ attending the conference. are
10. Some (be) ______ already here. are

Exercise 5: Inverted Sentences

Question Answer
1. Where (be) ______ the keys? are
2. There (be) ______ a book on the table. is
3. Here (be) ______ the documents. are
4. (Be) ______ she coming to the party? Is
5. (Be) ______ they going to the concert? Are
6. Why (be) ______ he late? is
7. How (be) ______ you feeling? are
8. What (be) ______ the problem? is
9. When (be) ______ we leaving? are
10. There (be) ______ many reasons to be happy. are

Advanced Topics

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, or hypothetical situations. In the subjunctive mood, the verb often takes a form that differs from the indicative mood, particularly with the verb “to be.” For example, “I suggest that he be present” (subjunctive) versus “He is present” (indicative). The subjunctive mood often requires careful attention to verb forms to ensure grammatical correctness.

In sentences expressing a wish or a demand, the subjunctive mood is commonly used. For instance, “I wish I were taller” uses “were” instead of “was” to express a wish. Similarly, in formal recommendations or requirements, the subjunctive mood is employed to convey a sense of necessity or importance. Understanding the nuances of the subjunctive mood enhances the precision and formality of your language.

Relative Clauses

Relative clauses are clauses that modify nouns and are introduced by relative pronouns such as who, whom, which, and that. The verb in a relative clause must agree with the noun it modifies. For example, in the sentence “The student who studies hard succeeds,” the verb “studies” agrees with “student.” Ensuring that the verb in the relative clause agrees with the correct noun is essential for clear and accurate writing.

When the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause, the verb must agree with the antecedent of the pronoun. For instance, in the sentence “The book that is on the table is mine,” the verb “is” agrees with the antecedent “book.” Paying close attention to the relationship between the relative pronoun and its antecedent helps maintain grammatical consistency.

Nouns of Amount

Nouns of amount refer to quantities or measurements. These nouns can be singular or plural depending on how they are used. When referring to a single unit of measurement, use a singular verb. For example, “Five dollars is too much to pay.” However, when referring to individual units, use a plural verb. For example, “The five dollars are scattered on the table.” The context determines whether the noun of amount takes a singular or plural verb.

When dealing with fractions or percentages, the verb agreement depends on the noun that follows “of.” If the noun is singular, use a singular verb. If the noun is plural, use a plural verb. For instance, “Half of the cake is gone” (singular) versus “Half of the apples are rotten” (plural). Understanding how nouns of amount interact with verb agreement ensures accuracy in expressing quantities.

FAQ

What is subject-verb agreement?

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

How do I identify the subject in a sentence?

The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is being described. Look for who or what the sentence is about.

Sometimes the subject is straightforward, but other times it may be hidden within a phrase or clause.

What are collective nouns?

Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals but are treated as a single unit (e.g., team, family, committee). They can be either singular or plural, depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members.

What are indefinite pronouns?

Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things (e.g., each, everyone, someone, both, few). Some are always singular, others are always plural, and some can be either, depending on the context.

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

Ignore the intervening phrase and focus on the true subject. The phrase does not affect subject-verb agreement.

For example, “The dog, along with his puppies, is running in the park.”

What are inverted sentences?

Inverted sentences occur when the subject follows the verb, often in questions or sentences beginning with phrases like “here is” or “there are.” Identify the subject correctly and ensure the verb agrees with it.

How do I handle compound subjects joined by “and”?

When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” they form a compound subject, which generally takes a plural verb. However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity or idea, it takes a singular verb.

How do I handle compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor”?

When two or more subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. This is known as the proximity principle.

Are titles of works singular or plural?

Titles of books, movies, and other creative works are treated as singular, even if they appear plural. Always use a singular verb with titles, regardless of their apparent number.

What is the subjunctive mood?

The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, or hypothetical situations. In the subjunctive mood, the verb often takes a form that differs from the indicative mood, particularly with the verb “to be.”

Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication in English. By understanding the basic rules, exceptions, and common mistakes, you can improve the accuracy and professionalism of your writing and speech.

Remember to identify the subject correctly, pay attention to intervening phrases, and be mindful of collective nouns and indefinite pronouns. With consistent practice, you can confidently construct grammatically sound sentences and express your ideas with clarity and authority.

Keep practicing and refining your skills to achieve fluency and precision in your language use.

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