Subject-Verb Agreement in English: Rules, Examples, and Common Mistakes

English grammar can look tricky, but small details often make the biggest difference. One of those details is Subject-Verb Agreement in English: Rules, Examples, and Common Mistakes. If the subject and verb do not match, the whole sentence feels wrong, even if the words are correct. In this blog, you will learn the basic rules, see clear examples, and understand the most common mistakes learners make. The goal is to give you simple guidance so that you can write and speak with confidence.

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-verb agreement means the subject and the verb in a sentence must match. If the subject is one person or one thing, the verb stays singular. If the subject is more than one, the verb becomes plural. Think of it as a simple matching game. The subject and verb need to stay on the same team. If one is singular and the other is plural, the sentence looks wrong.

Examples:

• Correct: She plays football.
  
• Wrong: She play football.
  
• Correct: They play football.
  
• Wrong: They plays football.

Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement with Examples

Subject-verb agreement follows some easy rules that keep sentences correct. Here are the main ones:

1. Singular subject takes a singular verb

When there is only one person or thing, the verb must stay singular.

• Example: The dog runs fast.
  
• Example: My friend likes pizza.

2. Plural subject takes a plural verb

When there is more than one, the verb must match the plural.

• Example: The dogs bark loudly.
  
• Example: The students study hard.

3. “And” joins two subjects – plural verb

If two subjects are joined with “and,” they need a plural verb.

• Example: Anna and Tom walk to school.
  
• Example: Bread and butter make a good snack.

4. “Or / Nor”- verb agrees with the nearest subject

When subjects are connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb matches the one closest.

• Example: Either the teacher or the students are here.
  
• Example: Neither the players nor the coach was ready.

5. Indefinite pronouns have their own rules

Words like “everyone” or “somebody” act singular, while words like “many” act plural.

• Example: Everyone needs rest.
  
• Example: Many want extra time.

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Subject-Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects

Compound subjects mean there are two or more subjects in the same sentence. The verb has to match them correctly.

1. Subjects joined with “and”

When two subjects are connected with “and,” the verb is usually plural.

• Example: The cat and the dog play in the garden.
  
• Example: My brother and my sister sing together.

2. Subjects seen as one idea

If two things joined by “and” act as a single idea, the verb stays singular.

• Example: Bread and jam is my breakfast.
  
• Example: Fish and chips is popular in the UK.

3. Subjects joined with “or” / “nor”

The verb must agree with the subject that comes closest to it.

• Example: Either the teacher or the students are coming.
  
• Example: Neither the books nor the pen was on the table.

4. Compound subjects with “each” or “every”

When “each” or “every” is added, the verb becomes singular.

• Example: Each boy and each girl has a notebook.
  
• Example: Every pen and every pencil is on the desk.

Subject-Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are words like someone, everyone, anybody, each, or few. They do not name a specific person or thing, but the verb still has to match them.

1. Singular indefinite pronouns

Some pronouns always take a singular verb.

• Example: Everyone needs rest.
  
• Example: Somebody was at the door.

2. Plural indefinite pronouns

A few pronouns always use plural verbs.

• Example: Many are interested in the event.
  
• Example: Few have completed the task.

3. Pronouns that can be singular or plural

Some pronouns change depending on the noun they refer to.

• Example: All of the cake is gone.
  
• Example: All of the students are ready.
  
• Example: Some of the water was cold.
  
• Example: Some of the apples were fresh.

4. “None” case

The word “none” can be singular or plural, based on meaning.

• Example: None of the money was stolen.
  
• Example: None of the friends were late.

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Subject-Verb Agreement with Collective and Uncountable Nouns

When dealing with collective or uncountable nouns, subject-verb agreement can get confusing. Here we will show you how to choose the right verb depending on whether a group acts as one or individually, and how uncountable things always take singular verbs.

1. Collective nouns

A collective noun names a group, like team, family, committee, or class. The verb choice depends on whether the group is seen as a single unit or as individuals.

• Example: The team is playing well this season.
  
• Example: The team are arguing among themselves.
  
• Example: My family lives in Sydney.
  
• Example: My family are planning different holidays.

2. Uncountable nouns

Uncountable nouns are things you cannot count one by one, like milk, rice, information, furniture, or advice. They always take singular verbs.

• Example: The milk is fresh.
  
• Example: The furniture looks new.
  
• Example: This information helps a lot.
  
• Example: The rice was cooked perfectly.

3. Special note

If you add phrases like pieces of, bottles of, cups of, the verb matches the countable part of the phrase, not the uncountable noun.

• Example: Two bottles of milk were on the table.
  
• Example: Several pieces of furniture were sold.

Subject-Verb Agreement in Sentences with Phrases or Clauses

Sometimes extra phrases or clauses come between the subject and the verb. These words can distract you, but they do not change the subject. The verb must still match the main subject, not the words in between.

1. Prepositional phrases

Prepositional phrases like of, with, in, along with, or as well as often sit between the subject and the verb. Ignore them while deciding the verb form.

• Example: The book on the shelves is missing.
  
• Example: The players with the coach are ready.
  
• Example: The cake with cherries was delicious.

2. Relative clauses

A relative clause (who, which, that) may follow the subject. The verb still agrees with the subject, not with the noun inside the clause.

• Example: The student who studies late works hard.
  
• Example: The flowers that bloom in spring are beautiful.
  
• Example: The car which has tinted windows belongs to my uncle.

3. Interrupting words or phrases

Words like together with, along with, in addition to, can interrupt, but they do not change the main subject.

• Example: The teacher, along with her students, is attending the event.
  
• Example: The manager, in addition to his assistants, was present.
  
• Example: The boy, together with his friends, has completed the task.

Subject-Verb Agreement in Inverted Sentences

In normal sentences, the subject comes before the verb. But in inverted sentences, the verb may come before the subject. Even in this case, the verb must always agree with the actual subject, not the first word you see.

1. Sentences starting with here or there

When a sentence begins with here or there, the subject comes after the verb. Always match the verb with that subject.

• Example: There is a pen on the desk.
  
• Example: There are many books on the table.
  
• Example: Here comes the bus.

2. Questions

In questions, the subject often comes after the helping verb. The main subject decides the verb form, not the word order.

• Example: Does the teacher know the answer?
  
• Example: Do the players want to join?
  
• Example: Is the dog sleeping in the yard?

3. Sentences starting with negative words

Words like never, seldom, hardly, rarely, or not only can also invert the sentence. Still, the subject controls the verb form.

• Example: Never have the students been so excited.
  
• Example: Seldom does the train arrive late.
  
• Example: Not only is the food tasty, but it is also healthy.

Subject-Verb Agreement with Numbers and Amounts

Numbers and amounts can be tricky because sometimes they act as a single whole and sometimes as separate items. The verb choice depends on whether the number or amount is treated as one unit or many parts.

1. Numbers showing total or whole quantity

When a number stands for one whole thing, use a singular verb.

• Example: Ten dollars is enough to buy lunch.
  
• Example: Five years is a long time.
  
• Example: Forty kilometers is a tiring distance to walk.

2. Numbers showing separate items or people

If the number points to different items or people, use a plural verb.

• Example: Two of my friends are coming today.
  
• Example: Twenty students were waiting outside.
  
• Example: Both answers are correct.

3. Fractions and percentages

The verb depends on the noun that comes after the fraction or percentage.

• Example: Half of the cake is gone.
  
• Example: Half of the players are injured.
  
• Example: Ten percent of the water was wasted.

4. Expressions of measurement or amount as a whole

When a phrase refers to one total amount, use a singular verb.

• Example: Two hours is enough for the test.
  
• Example: A thousand rupees is a big amount.
  
• Example: Three liters of milk is required for the recipe.

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Subject-Verb Agreement with Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abbreviations and acronyms often behave like normal nouns in sentences. The choice of verb depends on whether they are read as a single unit or if they represent something plural.

1. Abbreviations used as a single name

When the abbreviation stands for one thing, use a singular verb.

• Example: NASA is planning a new mission.
  
• Example: WHO was formed to handle global health issues.
  
• Example: UNICEF helps children worldwide.

2. Acronyms or abbreviations showing plural ideas

If the short form points to many members, use a plural verb.

• Example: The NBA players are training for the season.
  
• Example: The UN members have signed the agreement.
  
• Example: The RBI officials were discussing the new policy.

3. Letters treated as symbols or subjects

When single letters are spoken of, they usually take singular verbs.

• Example: The letter “B” is missing in this word.
  
• Example: The alphabet “X” looks like a cross.
  
• Example: The vowel “A” plays an important role.

4. Mixed cases depending on context

Sometimes the same acronym can be singular or plural, depending on meaning.

• Example: The USA is a powerful country.
  
• Example: The USA teams are competing in the tournament.
  
• Example: The BBC has launched a new channel.

Common Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Students often trip on subject-verb agreement because English can be sneaky with its rules. Below are the most common errors and quick tips to dodge them.

1. Getting confused with words between subject and verb

Extra words do not change the main subject. Always match the verb to the subject, not to the nearest noun.

• Wrong: The basket of apples were heavy.
  
• Right: The basket of apples was heavy.

2. Mixing up singular indefinite pronouns

Words like “everyone” or “each” always take a singular verb.

• Wrong: Everyone know the answer.
  
• Right: Everyone knows the answer.

3. Misreading collective nouns

Groups like “team” or “family” are singular unless you mean the members acting separately.

• Wrong: The team are winning the match.
  
• Right: The team is winning the match.

4. Treating uncountable nouns as plural

Words like “money,” “furniture,” and “advice” are uncountable and need singular verbs.

• Wrong: Money are important.
  
• Right: Money is important.

5. Forgetting special cases with “or/nor”

When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

• Wrong: Either the teacher or the students is ready.
  
• Right: Either the teacher or the students are ready.

6. Confusing plural-looking words

Some words look plural but act singular, like “news” or “mathematics.”

• Wrong: The news are shocking.
  
• Right: The news is shocking.

7. Ignoring context with numbers and amounts

Numbers can be singular or plural depending on meaning.

• Wrong: Ten dollars are enough.
  
• Right: Ten dollars is enough.

FAQs

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