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Have you ever struggled to use ‘writes’ or ‘write’, ‘goes’ or ‘go’? Choosing the right verb is essential for a clear and correct sentence, but it can be confusing, especially for beginners.
Understanding the difference between singular and plural verbs is one of the most important steps in learning proper English grammar. It helps you form clear and correct sentences. This complete article is designed to help beginners learn singular and plural verbs in the simplest way possible. We will also explain what singular and plural verbs are, how they work with different subjects, and share easy rules and examples to help you master them.
This Blog Includes:
What is a Singular Verb?
A singular verb is a verb that is used for a singular subject, which means the subject refers to one person, one place, one animal, or one thing.
In the present tense, singular verbs usually end in s, or es when used with he, she, it or any singular noun.
Examples of Singular Verbs:
- He drinks milk.
- She writes beautiful stories.
- My mother cooks delicious food
- The teacher teaches English.
Also Read: All about Regular and Irregular Verbs
What is a Plural Verb?
A plural verb is a verb that is used with a plural subject, which means that the subject refers to more than one person, animal, place or thing.
In the present tense, plural verbs do not end in s, or es. They are used with we, you, they or any plural noun.
Examples of Plural Verbs:
- They play football.
- We eat lunch together.
- The dogs bark at night.
- My friend dances well.
Notes: In English, the verb must match the subject in number. That means, singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. This is called subject-verb agreement.
Subject Verb Agreement
The grammar rule that states that the verb must match its subject in person and number is called verb agreement, or subject-verb agreement. It also means that your verb must be singular if your subject is singular and plural if your subject is plural.
Rule of Subject Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must match the subject in number (singular or plural)
In case of a singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb.
For example, in the case of the singular subject = verb ends with -s or es. He plays football ( He is singular, so we add s to the verb.)
In plural subject = verb without -s. They play football ( They is plural, so we use the base verb play).
Also Read: Types of Verbs: Definition, Examples, Verb Conjugation
Difference Between Singular and Plural Verbs
Understanding the difference between Singular and Plural verbs is one of the most important factors that help you gain fluency in English.
Here we have differentiated the singular and plural verbs in a simple and easy way:
| Singular Verb | Plural Verb |
| In a singular verb, when a single item or person is performing an activity, the singular verb can be used. | In a plural verb, when more than one person or object is doing an activity, a plural verb is used. |
| In the present tense, singular verbs usually end in -s or, -es. | In the present tense, plural verbs do not end in -s or -es. |
| He, she, it | I, You, We, They C |
| E.g., He runs fast She likes ice cream | E.g., they like ice cream The cats run fast. |
Rules for Use of Singular and Plural Verbs
The proper use of singular and plural verbs depends mostly on the subject-verb agreement, which is a common challenge for non native English speakers.
Singular and plural verbs are not hard once you understand the basic rule: match the verb to the subject. With some practice, you will start noticing the correct forms naturally.
The rule is quite simple. A singular subject is accompanied by a singular verb. A plural subject is paired with a plural verb.
For example:
- Rahul (singular subject) loves (singular verb) cake.
- She (singular subject) writes (singular verb) neatly.
- The cat (singular subject) chases (singular verb) the mouse.
Examples for plural verbs:
- Rahul and Priya (plural subject) love (plural verb) cake.
- They (plural subject) write (plural verb) neatly.
- The cats (plural subject) chase (plural verb) the mouse.
Singular and Plural Verbs Chart
This simple chart helps you see how verbs change with singular and plural subjects. Use it to quickly learn the right verb form for every sentence:
| Verbs That Add -s | |
| Singular (he, she, it) | Plural (I, you, we, they) |
| agrees | agree |
| bakes | bake |
| calls | call |
| counts | count |
| drops | drop |
| enjoys | enjoy |
| forces | force |
| invents | invent |
| makes | make |
| points | point |
| pulls | pull |
| stirs | stir |
| uses | use |
| waves | wave |
| Verbs That Add -es | |
| Singular (he, she, it) | Plural (I, you, we, they) |
| attaches | attach |
| catches | catch |
| crashes | crash |
| fixes | fix |
| guesses | guess |
| itches | itch |
| kisses | kiss |
| pitches | pitch |
| pushes | push |
| taxes | tax |
| teaches | teach |
| waltzes | waltz |
| washes | wash |
| wishes | wish |
| Singular Verbs That Change from -y to -ies | |
| Singular (he, she, it) | Plural (I, you, we, they) |
| applies | apply |
| bullies | bully |
| carries | carry |
| cries | cry |
| defies | defy |
| dries | dry |
| flies | fly |
| hurries | hurry |
| marries | marry |
| pities | pity |
| replies | reply |
| spies | spy |
| try | tries |
| worries | worry |
| Singular Verbs That Don’t Change from -y | |
| Singular (he, she, it) annoys | Plural (I, you, we, they) |
| brays | bray |
| buys | buy |
| delays | delay |
| employs | employ |
| lays | lay |
| obeys | obey |
| sways | sway |
| stays | stay |
| sprays | spray |
| pays | pay |
| plays | play |
| prays | pray |
| says | say |
Exercise On Singular and Plural Verbs
Test your understanding of singular and plural verbs with this fun exercise. Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence.
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Verb Form
Select the correct verb form, singular or plural, to complete each sentence.
- The book (is/are) on the table.
- My friends (lives/live) in different cities.
- She (likes/like) to write poems.
- The dogs (barks/bark) loudly at night.
- He (go/goes) to the gym every morning.
- We (enjoy/enjoys) watching movies together.
- The baby (cry/cries) when she is hungry.
- They (has/have) a lot of homework to do.
- The teacher (teach/teaches) us English.
- These apples (tastes/taste) very sweet.
Answer Key:
- is
- live
- likes
- bark
- goes
- enjoy
- cries
- have
- teaches
- taste
Also Read: 500+ Common Verbs in English That You Must Know!
FAQs
Here are the examples of singular and plural nouns
Man – men
Child – children
Tooth – teeth
Woman – women
Ox – oxen
Goose – geese
Mouse – mice
Foot – feet
Have is both singular and plural. For example, the first and second person singulars of ‘have’ are employed in the simple present tense. Additionally, the first, second, and third person plurals are used. The word ‘has’ has been changed to the third person singular.
Here are some examples of singular verbs: agrees, drops, enjoys, waves, pulls, wishes, washes, fixes, defies, dries.
Action verbs include things like run, walk, jump, talk, sing, speak, eat, drink, cry, skip, pull, push, fetch, give, make, bake, try, bring, teach, study, and more.
When one person or item is performing an activity, the singular verb is in use. ‘s’ usually comes at the end of singular verbs. When more than one person or object is doing an activity, plural verbs are used.
Related Reads
We hope this blog on ‘Singular and Plural Verbs’ helps you improve your English skills. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to English grammar and the English language.
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