Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, ensuring that the verb in a sentence correctly corresponds with its subject in number and person. A solid understanding of this principle is crucial for clear and effective communication, both in writing and speaking. This article provides a comprehensive guide to subject-verb agreement, covering its definition, rules, exceptions, common mistakes, and practical exercises. Whether you’re a student, a non-native English speaker, or simply looking to refine your grammar skills, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to master subject-verb agreement.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Subject-Verb Agreement
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Subjects
- Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement, at its core, means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. In other words, a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. While this may seem straightforward, various factors can complicate this basic rule, such as compound subjects, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns. Understanding these nuances is key to accurate and grammatically correct writing.
Subject-verb agreement is not just about following a rule; it’s about ensuring clarity and precision in communication. When the subject and verb agree, the sentence flows smoothly and the meaning is immediately clear. Conversely, errors in subject-verb agreement can lead to confusion and ambiguity, hindering effective communication.
The concept extends beyond simple present tense. It influences how verbs are conjugated in different tenses and with auxiliary verbs. Mastering subject-verb agreement is an ongoing process that requires attention to detail and consistent practice. It forms the bedrock of grammatical correctness and is essential for anyone seeking to improve their English language proficiency.
Structural Breakdown
To fully understand subject-verb agreement, it’s essential to break down the structure of a sentence and identify the subject and 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. Identifying these two elements is the first step in ensuring correct agreement.
In simple sentences, the subject usually precedes the verb. However, this order can be inverted in questions or sentences beginning with certain adverbs or phrases. For example, in the question “Are you going to the store?“, the subject “you” follows the auxiliary verb “are“. Similarly, in “Here comes the bus“, the subject “bus” follows the verb “comes“.
Furthermore, intervening phrases or clauses can sometimes obscure the subject. It’s crucial to ignore these phrases when determining subject-verb agreement. For instance, in the sentence “The box of chocolates is tempting“, the subject is “box“, not “chocolates“. Therefore, the verb should be “is“, not “are“. The phrase “of chocolates” is a prepositional phrase that modifies the subject but does not affect the verb agreement. Careful analysis of sentence structure is key to avoiding errors in these cases.
Types of Subjects
Singular Subjects
A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or idea. Singular subjects require singular verbs. Common examples include: he, she, it, the cat, the book, my friend.
Plural Subjects
A plural subject refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. Plural subjects require plural verbs. Common examples include: they, we, the cats, the books, my friends.
Compound Subjects
A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction such as “and“, “or“, or “nor“. When the subjects are joined by “and“, they generally take a plural verb. For example, “John and Mary are going to the party“. However, if the subjects refer to the same person or thing, or are considered a single unit, they take a singular verb. For example, “My friend and colleague is arriving tomorrow“. When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor“, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, “Either John or his brothers are going to pick you up“.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things. They can be 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 collective noun takes a singular verb. For example, “The team is playing well“. If the group members are acting individually, the collective noun takes a plural verb. For example, “The team are arguing about who gets the penalty kick” (more common in British English).
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecified people 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). Still others can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most). For example, “Everyone is invited” (singular). “Both are welcome” (plural). “Some of the cake is gone” (singular). “Some of the cookies are gone” (plural).
Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement
The following tables provide examples of subject-verb agreement with different types of subjects. Each table focuses on a specific category to illustrate the rules and variations discussed earlier.
Singular and Plural Subjects
This table showcases examples of singular and plural subjects with their corresponding verbs. Pay close attention to how the verb form changes based on the number of the subject.
| Subject (Singular) | Verb (Singular) | Subject (Plural) | Verb (Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cat | sleeps | The cats | sleep |
| He | walks | They | walk |
| She | eats | We | eat |
| It | plays | The children | play |
| My friend | is | My friends | are |
| The book | sells | The books | sell |
| A bird | flies | Birds | fly |
| The student | studies | The students | study |
| The car | runs | The cars | run |
| The flower | blooms | The flowers | bloom |
| The sun | shines | The stars | shine |
| The tree | grows | The trees | grow |
| The house | stands | The houses | stand |
| The idea | sounds | The ideas | sound |
| The question | remains | The questions | remain |
| The answer | appears | The answers | appear |
| The problem | exists | The problems | exist |
| The solution | works | The solutions | work |
| The opportunity | arises | The opportunities | arise |
| The challenge | persists | The challenges | persist |
| The dog | barks | The dogs | bark |
| The teacher | explains | The teachers | explain |
| The artist | creates | The artists | create |
| The musician | performs | The musicians | perform |
| The writer | writes | The writers | write |
| The athlete | trains | The athletes | train |
| The dancer | moves | The dancers | move |
| The actor | acts | The actors | act |
Compound Subjects
This table illustrates how subject-verb agreement works with compound subjects, considering the use of “and“, “or“, and “nor“.
| Compound Subject | Verb | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| John and Mary | are | Two distinct subjects joined by “and” require a plural verb. |
| My friend and colleague | is | Referring to the same person, so a singular verb is used. |
| Either John or his brothers | are | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“brothers“). |
| Neither John nor Mary | is | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“Mary“). |
| The dog and the cat | play | Two distinct subjects joined by “and” require a plural verb. |
| Peanut butter and jelly | is | Considered a single unit, so a singular verb is used. |
| Either the students or the teacher | is | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“teacher“). |
| Neither the teacher nor the students | are | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“students“). |
| The singer and songwriter | is | Referring to the same person, so a singular verb is used. |
| The car and the truck | need | Two distinct subjects joined by “and” require a plural verb. |
| Either the book or the papers | are | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“papers“). |
| Neither the papers nor the book | is | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“book“). |
| My brother and I | are | Two distinct subjects joined by “and” require a plural verb. |
| The director and producer | is | Referring to the same person, so a singular verb is used. |
| Either she or he | is | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“he“). |
| Neither he nor she | is | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“she“). |
| The hammer and the nails | are | Two distinct subjects joined by “and” require a plural verb. |
| Macaroni and cheese | is | Considered a single unit, so a singular verb is used. |
| Either the rain or the sun | is | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“sun“). |
| Neither the sun nor the rain | is | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“rain“). |
| The actor and comedian | is | Referring to the same person, so a singular verb is used. |
| The computer and the printer | are | Two distinct subjects joined by “and” require a plural verb. |
| Either the phone or the emails | are | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“emails“). |
| Neither the emails nor the phone | is | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“phone“). |
| My mother and father | are | Two distinct subjects joined by “and” require a plural verb. |
| The CEO and founder | is | Referring to the same person, so a singular verb is used. |
| Either they or I | am | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“I“). |
| Neither I nor they | are | The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (“they“). |
Collective Nouns
This table demonstrates how subject-verb agreement applies to collective nouns, highlighting the difference between the group acting as a unit and the individual members acting separately.
| Collective Noun | Verb (Singular) | Verb (Plural) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| The team | is | are | “Is” implies the team acts as a unit; “are” implies individual action (more common in British English). |
| The family | is | are | “Is” implies the family acts as a unit; “are” implies individual action. |
| The committee | has | have | “Has” implies the committee acts as a unit; “have” implies individual action. |
| The audience | was | were | “Was” implies the audience acts as a unit; “were” implies individual reaction. |
| The class | is | are | “Is” implies the class acts as a unit; “are” implies individual action. |
| The jury | has | have | “Has” implies the jury acts as a unit; “have” implies individual opinion. |
| The crowd | is | are | “Is” implies the crowd acts as a unit; “are” implies individual movement. |
| The government | is | are | “Is” implies the government acts as a unit; “are” implies individual disagreements. |
| The company | is | are | “Is” implies the company acts as a unit; “are” implies individual decisions. |
| The flock | is | are | “Is” implies the flock acts as a unit; “are” implies individual movement. |
| The group | is | are | “Is” implies the group acts as a unit; “are” implies individual opinions. |
| The staff | is | are | “Is” implies the staff acts as a unit; “are” implies individual tasks. |
| The band | is | are | “Is” implies the band acts as a unit; “are” implies individual practice. |
| The board | is | are | “Is” implies the board acts as a unit; “are” implies individual votes. |
| The congregation | is | are | “Is” implies the congregation acts as a unit; “are” implies individual prayers. |
| The corporation | is | are | “Is” implies the corporation acts as a unit; “are” implies individual departments working. |
| The council | meets | meet | “Meets” implies the council acts as a unit; “meet” implies individual members interacting. |
| The majority | is | are | “Is” implies the majority acts as a unit; “are” implies individual opinions. |
| The minority | is | are | “Is” implies the minority acts as a unit; “are” implies individual members’ experiences. |
| The panel | agrees | agree | “Agrees” implies the panel acts as a unit; “agree” implies individual perspectives. |
| The organization | is | are | “Is” implies the organization acts as a unit; “are” implies individual departments working. |
| The union | negotiates | negotiate | “Negotiates” implies the union acts as a unit; “negotiate” implies individual members contributing. |
| The league | decides | decide | “Decides” implies the league acts as a unit; “decide” implies individual teams’ actions. |
| The network | connects | connect | “Connects” implies the network acts as a unit; “connect” implies individual computers. |
| The alliance | works | work | “Works” implies the alliance acts as a unit; “work” implies individual nations cooperating. |
| The coalition | supports | support | “Supports” implies the coalition acts as a unit; “support” implies individual parties agreeing. |
| The syndicate | controls | control | “Controls” implies the syndicate acts as a unit; “control” implies individual members’ decisions. |
Indefinite Pronouns
This table provides examples of subject-verb agreement with indefinite pronouns, categorizing them by singular, plural, and those that can be either depending on the context.
| Indefinite Pronoun | Verb | Example Sentence | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Each | is | Each of the students is responsible for their own work. | Singular |
| Everyone | knows | Everyone knows the rules of the game. | Singular |
| Someone | has | Someone has left their umbrella behind. | Singular |
| Nobody | cares | Nobody cares about the outcome. | Singular |
| Anybody | is | Anybody is welcome to join us. | Singular |
| Everything | is | Everything is going according to plan. | Singular |
| Both | are | Both of the candidates are qualified for the job. | Plural |
| Few | know | Few know the truth about what happened. | Plural |
| Several | were | Several were injured in the accident. | Plural |
| Many | believe | Many believe in the power of positive thinking. | Plural |
| Others | have | Others have already completed the assignment. | Plural |
| Some | is / are | Some of the water is contaminated. Some of the apples are rotten. | Singular/Plural |
| Any | is / are | Is any of the milk left? Are any of the tickets still available? | Singular/Plural |
| None | is / are | None of the food is spoiled. None of the books are missing. | Singular/Plural |
| All | is / are | All of the money is gone. All of the students are present. | Singular/Plural |
| Most | is / are | Most of the work is finished. Most of the employees are satisfied. | Singular/Plural |
| Little | is | Little is known about his early life. | Singular |
| Much | is | Much is expected of you. | Singular |
| One | is | One is enough. | Singular |
| Another | is | Another is needed. | Singular |
| Enough | is / are | Enough food is available. Enough people are interested. | Singular/Plural |
| Neither | is | Neither of them is going to the party. | Singular |
Usage Rules
Several rules govern subject-verb agreement, each with its own nuances and exceptions. Understanding these rules is essential for accurate and grammatically sound writing.
Basic Rule
A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example, “The dog barks” (singular) vs. “The dogs bark” (plural).
Compound Subjects Joined by “and”
Generally take a plural verb. For example, “John and Mary are going to the party“. However, if the subjects refer to the same person or thing, or are considered a single unit, they take a singular verb. For example, “My friend and colleague is arriving tomorrow“.
Compound Subjects Joined by “or” or “nor”
The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, “Either John or his brothers are going to pick you up“. “Neither John nor Mary is going to pick you up“.
Collective Nouns
Can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members. For example, “The team is playing well” (singular). “The team are arguing about who gets the penalty kick” (plural, more common in British English).
Indefinite Pronouns
Some are always singular (e.g., each, everyone, someone, nobody), some are always plural (e.g., both, few, several, many), and some can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most). For example, “Everyone is invited” (singular). “Both are welcome” (plural). “Some of the cake is gone” (singular). “Some of the cookies are gone” (plural).
Sentences Beginning with “Here” or “There”
The subject follows the verb. For example, “Here is the book“. “There are the keys“.
Phrases or Clauses Between Subject and Verb
Do not affect subject-verb agreement. For example, “The box of chocolates is tempting” (subject is “box“, not “chocolates“).
Titles of Works and Names of Organizations
Are generally treated as singular, even if they appear to be plural. For example, “‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ is a classic novel“. “General Motors is a large company“.
Units of Measurement or Amounts of Money
Are generally treated as singular when considered as a single unit. For example, “Five dollars is too much to pay for that“. “Ten miles is a long distance to walk“.
Common Mistakes
Errors in subject-verb agreement are common, even among native English speakers. Being aware of these common mistakes can help you avoid them in your own writing.
Ignoring Intervening Phrases
Incorrect: The list of items are on the table.
Correct: The list of items is on the table.
The subject is “list“, not “items“.
Misidentifying Compound Subjects
Incorrect: John and Mary is going to the party.
Correct: John and Mary are going to the party.
“John” and “Mary” are two distinct subjects.
Incorrectly Using Collective Nouns
Incorrect: The team is arguing about who gets the penalty kick (in American English).
Correct: The team are arguing about who gets the penalty kick (more common in British English, but “is” works as well).
In American English, “is” is more common when referring to a team.
Misusing Indefinite Pronouns
Incorrect: Everyone are invited.
Correct: Everyone is invited.
“Everyone” is a singular indefinite pronoun.
Forgetting the “s” on Singular Verbs in Present Tense
Incorrect: He walk to school every day.
Correct: He walks to school every day.
Singular subjects in the present tense usually require an “-s” ending on the verb.
Confusing “There is” and “There are”
Incorrect: There is many reasons to be happy.
Correct: There are many reasons to be happy.
The verb must agree with the noun that follows “there is/are“.
Using Singular Verbs with Plural Nouns of Measurement
Incorrect: Five dollars are too much to pay for that.
Correct: Five dollars is too much to pay for that.
When considered as a single unit, amounts of money or measurement take a singular verb.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of subject-verb agreement with the following exercises. Choose the correct verb form in each sentence.
Exercise 1: Basic Agreement
Choose the correct verb form in each sentence.
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| The dog (barks/bark) loudly. | barks / bark | barks |
| The students (studies/study) hard. | studies / study | study |
| She (plays/play) the piano beautifully. | plays / play | plays |
| They (lives/live) in New York. | lives / live | live |
| It (rains/rain) a lot in Seattle. | rains / rain | rains |
| We (goes/go) to the beach every summer. | goes / go | go |
| He (has/have) a new car. | has / have | has |
| I (am/is/are) a student. | am / is / are | am |
| You (was/were) late for class. | was / were | were |
| The sun (shines/shine) brightly. | shines / shine | shines |
Exercise 2: Compound Subjects
Choose the correct verb form in each sentence.
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| John and Mary (is/are) coming to the party. | is / are | are |
| My friend and colleague (is/are) arriving tomorrow. | is / are | is |
| Either John or his brothers (is/are) going to pick you up. | is / are | are |
| Neither John nor Mary (is/are) going to pick you up. | is / are | is |
| The dog and the cat (plays/play) together. | plays / play | play |
| Peanut butter and jelly (is/are) my favorite snack. | is / are | is |
| The singer and the dancer (is/are) performing tonight. | is / are | are |
| The bed and breakfast (is/are) located downtown. | is / are | is |
| Either the teacher or the students (is/are) responsible. | is / are | are |
| Neither the students nor the teacher (is/are) present. | is / are | is |
Exercise 3: Collective Nouns
Choose the correct verb form in each sentence.
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| The team (is/are) playing well. | is / are | is |
| The family (is/are) planning a vacation. | is / are | is |
| The committee (has/have) made a decision. | has / have | has |
| The audience (was/were) very attentive. | was / were | was |
| The class (is/are) taking a test today. | is / are | is |
| The jury (has/have) reached a verdict. | has / have | has |
| The crowd (is/are) getting restless. | is / are | is |
| The government (is/are) working on a new policy. | is / are | is |
| The company (is/are) launching a new product. | is / are | is |
| The flock of birds (is/are) flying south for the winter. | is / are | is |
Exercise 4: Indefinite Pronouns
Choose the correct verb form in each sentence.
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Each of the students (is/are) responsible for their own work. | is / are | is |
| Everyone (knows/know) the rules of the game. | knows / know | knows |
| Someone (has/have) left their umbrella behind. | has / have | has |
| Nobody (cares/care) about the outcome. | cares / care | cares |
| Both of the candidates (is/are) qualified for the job. | is / are | are |
| Few (knows/know) the truth about what happened. | knows / know | know |
| Some of the water (is/are) contaminated. | is / are | is |
| All of the students (is/are) present. | is / are | are |
| Most of the work (is/are) finished. | is / are | is |
| Neither of them (is/are) going to the party. | is / are | is |
Advanced Topics
Beyond the basic rules, certain advanced topics can further refine your understanding of subject-verb agreement. These topics often involve more complex sentence structures and nuanced grammatical concepts.
Relative Clauses
In relative clauses, the verb must agree with the antecedent of the relative pronoun (who, which, that). For example, “The book that is on the table is mine” (singular). “The books that are on the table are mine” (plural).
“The number” vs. “A number”
“The number” is singular and takes a singular verb. “A number” is plural and takes a plural verb. For example, “The number of students enrolled is increasing“. “A number of students are waiting outside“.
Titles of Works and Organizations
Titles of books, movies, and organizations are generally treated as singular, even if they contain plural words. For example, “‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a popular movie series“. “United Nations is an international organization“.
Foreign Language Borrowings
Some English words are borrowed from other languages and retain their original plural forms. These words often require careful attention to subject-verb agreement. For example, “Data is/are important” (both are acceptable, but “data are” is more traditionally correct). “Criteria are used to evaluate the project“.
Hypothetical Sentences
In hypothetical sentences using the subjunctive mood, the verb “were” is used for all subjects, even singular ones. For example, “If I were you, I would take the job“. “I wish I were taller“.
FAQ
Why is subject-verb agreement important?
Subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear and effective communication. When the subject and verb agree, the sentence is grammatically correct and easy to understand. Errors in subject-verb agreement can lead to confusion and ambiguity.
What are the basic rules of subject-verb agreement?
The basic rule is that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example, “The dog barks” vs. “The dogs bark“.
How do I handle compound subjects?
If the subjects are joined by “and“, they generally take a plural verb. If they are joined by “or” or “nor“, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
How do I deal with collective nouns?
Collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members.
What are indefinite pronouns and how do they affect subject-verb agreement?
Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecified people or things. Some are always singular (e.g., each, everyone), some are always plural (e.g., both, few), and some can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any).
What if there are phrases or clauses between the subject and verb?
These phrases or clauses do not affect subject-verb agreement. The verb must agree with the main subject of the sentence.
Are there any exceptions to the rules?
Yes, there are exceptions, such as when dealing with titles of works, units of measurement, and certain foreign language borrowings.
What is the subjunctive mood and how does it affect subject-verb agreement?
In the subjunctive mood, the verb “were” is used for all subjects in hypothetical sentences, regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural.
How can I improve my subject-verb agreement skills?
Practice identifying subjects and verbs in sentences, pay attention to common mistakes, and review the rules and examples provided in this guide.
Conclusion
Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for anyone seeking to improve their English language skills. By understanding the basic rules, recognizing common mistakes, and practicing regularly, you can ensure that your writing is clear, accurate, and grammatically sound. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of subject-verb agreement, covering its definition, rules, exceptions, and practical exercises. Continue to apply these principles in your writing and speaking to enhance your communication skills and achieve greater clarity and precision in your language use. With consistent effort and attention to detail, you can master subject-verb agreement and elevate the quality of your written and spoken English.
