Subject-Verb Agreement: Mastering Grammatical Harmony

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Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, ensuring clarity and coherence in writing and speech. It dictates that a verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject.

While seemingly simple, mastering this concept is crucial for effective communication. This article provides a comprehensive guide to subject-verb agreement, covering its definition, rules, common errors, and advanced topics.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply looking to improve your English skills, this guide will help you confidently navigate the intricacies of subject-verb agreement.

This guide is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students, as well as native speakers who wish to refresh their knowledge. By understanding and applying the principles outlined in this article, you can significantly enhance the accuracy and professionalism of your written and spoken English.

Table of Contents

Definition of Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement, also known as concord, is a grammatical rule that states that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. In simpler terms, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular.

If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. This agreement ensures grammatical correctness and clarity in written and spoken English.

The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described by the verb. The verb is the word that expresses the action or state of being of the subject.

For example:

  • The cat sits on the mat. (Singular subject, singular verb)
  • The cats sit on the mat. (Plural subject, plural verb)

Structural Breakdown: Identifying Subjects and Verbs

To correctly apply subject-verb agreement, it’s essential to accurately identify the subject and the verb in a sentence. This can sometimes be challenging, especially in complex sentences with multiple phrases and clauses.

Here’s a step-by-step approach to identifying the subject and verb:

  1. Find the main verb: Look for the word that expresses the action or state of being. This is usually the verb.
  2. Ask “Who?” or “What?”: Ask “Who or what is performing this action?” The answer is the subject.
  3. Check for intervening phrases: Be aware of phrases or clauses that come between the subject and verb. These can sometimes obscure the true subject.

Let’s look at some examples:

  • The student studies diligently. (Subject: student; Verb: studies)
  • The students study diligently. (Subject: students; Verb: study)
  • The book, which I borrowed from the library, is very interesting. (Subject: book; Verb: is)

Types of Subjects and Their Agreement Rules

Different types of subjects require different verb forms to maintain subject-verb agreement. Understanding these variations is crucial for accurate writing.

Singular Subjects

A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or idea. Singular subjects take singular verbs.

In the present tense, singular verbs typically end in “-s” or “-es”.

Examples:

  • She writes beautifully.
  • He plays the guitar.
  • The dog barks loudly.
  • My car needs repairs.

Plural Subjects

A plural subject refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. Plural subjects take plural verbs.

In the present tense, plural verbs do not end in “-s” or “-es” (except for the verb “to be,” where “are” is used).

Examples:

  • They write beautifully.
  • We play the guitar.
  • The dogs bark loudly.
  • My cars need repairs.

Compound Subjects

A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction, such as “and,” “or,” or “nor.”

  • Subjects joined by “and”: Generally take a plural verb.
    • John and Mary are going to the party.
    • The cat and the dog play together.
  • Subjects joined by “or” or “nor”: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
    • John or Mary is going to the party.
    • Neither the cat nor the dogs are allowed on the couch.
    • Either the dogs nor the cat is allowed on the couch.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things considered as a single unit. Examples include “team,” “family,” “committee,” “audience,” and “group.”

  • If the group is acting as a single unit, use a singular verb.
    • The team is playing well.
    • The family is going on vacation.
  • If the members of the group are acting individually, use a plural verb.
    • The team are arguing about their roles.
    • The family are disagreeing about where to go.

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecified persons or things. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., “each,” “every,” “everyone,” “someone,” “anyone,” “nobody,” “everything,” “something,” “anything,” “nothing”).

Others are always plural (e.g., “both,” “few,” “many,” “several”). And some can be either singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., “some,” “any,” “none,” “all,” “most”).

  • Always Singular:
    • Each has a unique talent.
    • Everyone is welcome.
    • Someone is knocking at the door.
  • Always Plural:
    • Both are excellent students.
    • Few know the answer.
    • Many are interested in the topic.
  • Singular or Plural (depending on the context):
    • Some of the cake is gone. (Singular)
    • Some of the cookies are gone. (Plural)
    • None of the information was useful. (Singular)
    • None of the students were present. (Plural)
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Gerunds and Infinitives as Subjects

When gerunds (verbs ending in “-ing” used as nouns) or infinitives (the base form of the verb with “to”) act as the subject of a sentence, they are generally treated as singular.

Examples:

  • Swimming is good exercise.
  • To learn a new language is challenging.
  • Reading books is a great way to expand your vocabulary.

Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement

This section provides numerous examples of subject-verb agreement across various scenarios. The tables below illustrate the correct usage of singular and plural verbs with different types of subjects.

Reviewing these examples will solidify your understanding of the rules and help you avoid common errors.

The following table showcases examples of subject-verb agreement with simple singular and plural subjects. Observe how the verb form changes to match the subject’s number.

Subject Verb Sentence
The cat sleeps The cat sleeps on the sofa.
The dog barks The dog barks at strangers.
She sings She sings beautifully.
He plays He plays the piano.
It rains It rains often in April.
The cats sleep The cats sleep on the sofa.
The dogs bark The dogs bark at strangers.
They sing They sing beautifully.
We play We play the piano.
You are You are my friend.
The book is The book is interesting.
The books are The books are interesting.
My friend lives My friend lives in London.
My friends live My friends live in London.
The flower blooms The flower blooms in spring.
The flowers bloom The flowers bloom in spring.
The teacher explains The teacher explains the lesson clearly.
The teachers explain The teachers explain the lesson clearly.
The car runs The car runs smoothly.
The cars run The cars run smoothly.
The house stands The house stands on the hill.
The houses stand The houses stand on the hill.
The student studies The student studies hard.
The students study The students study hard.
The tree grows The tree grows tall.
The trees grow The trees grow tall.
The bird flies The bird flies in the sky.
The birds fly The birds fly in the sky.

This table illustrates subject-verb agreement with compound subjects, demonstrating how the conjunction “and” usually results in a plural verb form. Note the specific cases where “or” or “nor” are used.

Subject Verb Sentence
John and Mary are John and Mary are going to the party.
The cat and the dog play The cat and the dog play together.
My brother and I are My brother and I are going to the movies.
The book and the pen are The book and the pen are on the table.
Coffee and tea are Coffee and tea are my favorite drinks.
John or Mary is John or Mary is going to the party.
Neither the cat nor the dogs are Neither the cat nor the dogs are allowed on the couch.
Either the dogs nor the cat is Either the dogs nor the cat is allowed on the couch.
The teacher or the students are The teacher or the students are responsible for the project.
Neither the rain nor the snow is Neither the rain nor the snow is stopping us.
My sister and her friend are My sister and her friend are visiting next week.
The chair and the table are The chair and the table are made of wood.
The sun and the moon are The sun and the moon are celestial bodies.
The car and the motorcycle are The car and the motorcycle are in the garage.
The bread and the butter are The bread and the butter are on the counter.
My mom or my dad is My mom or my dad is picking me up.
Neither the president nor the senators agree Neither the president nor the senators agree on the bill.
Either the students or the teacher is Either the students or the teacher is correct.
The singer and the dancer are The singer and the dancer are performing tonight.
The actor and the director are The actor and the director are working on a new movie.
The computer and the printer are The computer and the printer are connected.
The shirt and the pants are The shirt and the pants are clean.
The knife and the fork are The knife and the fork are in the drawer.
The phone and the charger are The phone and the charger are necessary.
The doctor and the nurse are The doctor and the nurse are helping the patient.

This table focuses on collective nouns and indefinite pronouns, illustrating how context determines whether a singular or plural verb is appropriate. Pay close attention to the meaning conveyed in each sentence.

Subject Verb Sentence
The team is The team is playing well.
The team are The team are arguing about their roles.
The family is The family is going on vacation.
The family are The family are disagreeing about where to go.
The committee meets The committee meets every Tuesday.
The committee are The committee are divided on the issue.
The audience is The audience is enjoying the performance.
The audience are The audience are clapping enthusiastically.
The group is The group is working together.
The group are The group are sharing their ideas.
Each has Each has a unique talent.
Everyone is Everyone is welcome.
Someone is Someone is knocking at the door.
Both are Both are excellent students.
Few know Few know the answer.
Many are Many are interested in the topic.
Some of the cake is Some of the cake is gone.
Some of the cookies are Some of the cookies are gone.
None of the information was None of the information was useful.
None of the students were None of the students were present.
All of the water is All of the water is gone.
All of the apples are All of the apples are gone.
Most of the project is Most of the project is completed.
Most of the tasks are Most of the tasks are completed.
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Detailed Usage Rules and Exceptions

While the basic principle of subject-verb agreement is straightforward, various rules and exceptions govern its application in more complex sentences. Understanding these nuances is essential for achieving grammatical accuracy.

Intervening Phrases and Clauses

Phrases or clauses that come between the subject and verb can sometimes obscure the true subject. It is crucial to identify the actual subject and ensure the verb agrees with it, ignoring the intervening elements.

Examples:

  • The book, which I borrowed from the library, is very interesting. (The verb “is” agrees with the subject “book,” not “library.”)
  • The students, along with their teacher, are going on a field trip. (The verb “are” agrees with the subject “students,” not “teacher.”)

Sentences Starting with “There” or “Here”

In sentences that begin with “there” or “here,” the subject usually follows the verb. Therefore, you need to identify the actual subject to determine the correct verb form.

Examples:

  • There is a book on the table. (The subject is “book,” which is singular, so the verb is “is.”)
  • There are many books on the table. (The subject is “books,” which is plural, so the verb is “are.”)
  • Here is your key. (The subject is “key,” which is singular, so the verb is “is.”)
  • Here are your keys. (The subject is “keys,” which is plural, so the verb is “are.”)

Questions

In questions, the verb often precedes the subject. Ensure that the verb agrees with the subject, even when it is separated by the subject.

Examples:

  • Is the book interesting? (The subject is “book,” which is singular, so the verb is “is.”)
  • Are the books interesting? (The subject is “books,” which is plural, so the verb is “are.”)
  • Does he like coffee? (The subject is “he,” which is singular, so the verb is “does.”)
  • Do they like coffee? (The subject is “they,” which is plural, so the verb is “do.”)

Relative Clauses

In relative clauses (clauses that begin with “who,” “which,” or “that”), the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun that the relative pronoun refers to (the antecedent).

Examples:

  • The student who studies hard will succeed. (The relative pronoun “who” refers to “student,” which is singular, so the verb is “studies.”)
  • The students who study hard will succeed. (The relative pronoun “who” refers to “students,” which is plural, so the verb is “study.”)
  • The book that is on the table is mine. (The relative pronoun “that” refers to “book,” which is singular, so the verb is “is.”)
  • The books that are on the table are mine. (The relative pronoun “that” refers to “books,” which is plural, so the verb is “are.”)

Titles and Organizations

Titles of books, movies, and organizations are generally treated as singular, even if they contain plural nouns.

Examples:

  • “The Lord of the Rings” is a famous book.
  • “Friends” is a popular TV show.
  • The United Nations is an international organization.

Units of Measurement and Amounts

Units of measurement and amounts of money or time are usually treated as singular when considered as a single unit.

Examples:

  • Five dollars is too much to pay for that.
  • Ten years is a long time.
  • Two miles is a short distance.

Common Mistakes in Subject-Verb Agreement

Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes in subject-verb agreement. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:

  • Ignoring Intervening Phrases:
    • Incorrect: The quality of the apples are poor.
    • Correct: The quality of the apples is poor.
  • Incorrectly Identifying the Subject:
    • Incorrect: There is many reasons to be happy.
    • Correct: There are many reasons to be happy.
  • Using the Wrong Verb Form with Compound Subjects:
    • Incorrect: John and Mary is going to the party.
    • Correct: John and Mary are going to the party.
  • Misunderstanding Collective Nouns:
    • Incorrect: The team are playing well. (when referring to the team as a unit)
    • Correct: The team is playing well. (when referring to the team as a unit)
  • Forgetting Indefinite Pronoun Rules:
    • Incorrect: Everyone are welcome.
    • Correct: Everyone is welcome.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of subject-verb agreement with these practice exercises. Choose the correct verb form in each sentence.

Exercise 1: Choose the correct verb.

Question Options Answer
The dog ______ loudly. (a) bark, (b) barks (b) barks
The dogs ______ loudly. (a) bark, (b) barks (a) bark
She ______ beautifully. (a) sing, (b) sings (b) sings
They ______ beautifully. (a) sing, (b) sings (a) sing
John and Mary ______ going to the party. (a) is, (b) are (b) are
Each of the students ______ a unique talent. (a) have, (b) has (b) has
Some of the cake ______ gone. (a) is, (b) are (a) is
Some of the cookies ______ gone. (a) is, (b) are (b) are
There ______ a book on the table. (a) is, (b) are (a) is
There ______ many books on the table. (a) is, (b) are (b) are
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Exercise 2: Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb “to be” (is, are, was, were).

Question Answer
The cat ______ sleeping. is
The cats ______ sleeping. are
He ______ happy yesterday. was
They ______ happy yesterday. were
The book ______ interesting. is
The books ______ interesting. are
My friend ______ coming over. is
My friends ______ coming over. are
The movie ______ exciting. was
The movies ______ exciting. were

Exercise 3: Correct the subject-verb agreement errors in the following sentences. If the sentence is correct, write “Correct.”

Question Answer
The quality of the apples are poor. The quality of the apples is poor.
There is many reasons to be happy. There are many reasons to be happy.
John and Mary is going to the party. John and Mary are going to the party.
The team are playing well. The team is playing well. (assuming the team is acting as a unit)
Everyone are welcome. Everyone is welcome.
The dog, along with his owner, are going for a walk. The dog, along with his owner, is going for a walk.
The books that is on the shelf are mine. The books that are on the shelf are mine.
Five dollars are too much to pay for that. Five dollars is too much to pay for that.
Neither the students nor the teacher are here. Neither the students nor the teacher is here.
Correct Correct

Advanced Topics in Subject-Verb Agreement

For advanced learners, understanding more complex aspects of subject-verb agreement can further refine their writing and speaking skills.

The Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, demands, or hypothetical situations. In the present subjunctive, the verb takes the base form, regardless of the subject.

This is particularly common after verbs like “suggest,” “recommend,” “demand,” “insist,” and “request,” and in “that” clauses.

Examples:

  • I suggest that he be present at the meeting.
  • It is essential that she arrive on time.
  • The doctor recommended that he stop smoking.

Inverted Sentences

Inverted sentences, where the subject follows the verb, often occur in literary writing or for emphasis. It is crucial to identify the subject correctly to ensure proper agreement.

Examples:

  • Rarely do we see such beauty.
  • Under the tree sits a lonely figure.
  • Only then did I understand the truth.

Agreement with Linking Verbs

Linking verbs (e.g., “to be,” “to become,” “to seem”) connect the subject to a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. The verb must agree with the subject, not the noun or adjective that follows it (the predicate nominative or predicate adjective).

Examples:

  • My favorite food is pizza. (The verb agrees with “food,” not “pizza.”)
  • Pizza is my favorite food. (The verb agrees with “pizza,” not “food.”)
  • The problem was the complicated instructions. (The verb agrees with “problem,” not “instructions.”)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some frequently asked questions about subject-verb agreement:

  1. What is subject-verb agreement?

    Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that requires the verb in a sentence to agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. This means a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

  2. How do I identify the subject in a sentence?

    To identify the subject, first find the main verb in the sentence. Then, ask “Who?” or “What?” is performing the action of the verb. The answer

    is the subject. Be mindful of intervening phrases that might obscure the true subject.

  3. What are some common mistakes in subject-verb agreement?

    Common mistakes include ignoring intervening phrases, misidentifying the subject, using the wrong verb form with compound subjects, misunderstanding collective nouns, and forgetting indefinite pronoun rules.

  4. How do I handle collective nouns?

    If the collective noun is acting as a single unit, use a singular verb. If the members of the group are acting individually, use a plural verb. Context is key.

  5. What about sentences that start with “there” or “here”?

    In these sentences, the subject follows the verb. Identify the subject and ensure the verb agrees with it.

  6. How does subject-verb agreement apply in questions?

    Even when the verb precedes the subject in a question, the verb must still agree with the subject.

  7. What is the subjunctive mood, and how does it affect subject-verb agreement?

    The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, demands, or hypothetical situations. In the present subjunctive, the verb takes the base form, regardless of the subject. This is particularly common after verbs like “suggest,” “recommend,” “demand,” “insist,” and “request,” and in “that” clauses.

Conclusion

Mastering subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication in English. By understanding the basic principles, recognizing different types of subjects, and being aware of common exceptions and advanced topics, you can significantly improve the accuracy and professionalism of your writing and speaking.

Practice the rules and exercises provided in this guide, and continuously strive to refine your understanding of this fundamental aspect of English grammar. With dedication and attention to detail, you can confidently navigate the intricacies of subject-verb agreement and communicate with greater precision and clarity.

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