Subject-Verb Agreement
You have identified subjects and verbs in sentences. Now we will discuss some specific details regarding those subjects and verbs, specifically agreement. Subjects and verbs must agree in person and number.
Number refers to whether a subject and verb are singular or plural. If a subject is singular, the verb must be singular also. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. For most speakers of English, this agreement occurs automatically; however, we do have rules that control the forms of subjects and verbs. Of course, the English language contains many, many exceptions to the rules.
- Most singular nouns do not end in s; most singular verbs do end in s.
- The baby wants her toy.
- The teacher writes on the chalkboard.
- The child plays happily.
- Most plural nouns end in s; most plural verbs do not end in s.
- The babies want their toys.
- The teachers write on the chalkboard.
- The children play happily.
As you know, not all subjects of sentences are nouns. We can also use pronouns as subjects. When we use pronouns, we must address person when checking for subject-verb agreement.
Singular Plural
First person I we
Second person you you
Third person he, she, it they
- Third person singular pronouns require singular verbs.
- First person I requires the plural form although it is singular.
- Second person you requires the plural form in both singular and plural instances.
- Plural pronouns require plural verbs.
- Two singular nouns or pronouns joined by and create a plural subject and require a plural verb.
- Jami sings beautifully.
- Jackson sings beautifully.
- Jami and Jackson sing beautifully.
HOT TIP: Words can come between the subject and verb in a sentence. Remember that the subject is NEVER in a prepositional phrase, and it is NEVER in a phrase or clause that is set off by commas. (Grammar Check often chooses the noun closest to the verb as the subject of the sentence, so you need to be smarter than Grammar Check.)
- The words or and nor indicate choice.
- If both words in the choice are singular, then the verb is singular.
- Either the teacher or the student writes well.
- If both words in the choice are plural, then the verb is plural.
- Either the teachers or the students write well.
- If one word is singular and one word is plural, then the word closest to the verb controls the form of the verb.
- Either the teachers or the student writes well.
- Either the teacher or the students write well.
- Indefinite pronouns (anybody, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, neither, nobody, no one, one) are singular and require singular verbs.
- Everyone loves his or her teacher.
- Relative pronouns who, that, which can be singular or plural, depending on the noun to which they refer.
- The student who completes the work early will receive a reward.
- The students who complete the work early will receive rewards.
- Collective nouns refer to a unit and require singular verbs.
- The jury reaches a verdict.
- The team plays its last game next Saturday.
- Some nouns look plural although they are singular.
- Economics is a difficult class.
- Politics is a subject that I avoid.
Always check your work for subject-verb agreement.