Subject-verb agreement is an essential rule in English grammar that plays a crucial role in ensuring clarity and precision in communication. To achieve a good score in English proficiency tests like IELTS or OET, candidates must demonstrate their ability to match subject-verb agreement in both spoken and written sentences.
What are the Subject and Verb of a sentence?
Subject: The subject tells us who or what the sentence is about, like ‘the cat’ in ‘The cat sleeps.
Verb: It tells us what the subject is doing or what is happening to the subject. For example, in the sentence “The cat sleeps,” “sleeps” is the verb.
Together, the subject and verb form the core of a sentence, providing the basic information needed to understand what is happening.
While it may seem straightforward at first glance, the intricacies of this rule can often lead to confusion among learners, especially those for whom English is a second language.
The basic principle is simple: the subject and the verb must match in number, meaning that singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. However, as with many aspects of language, there are nuances and exceptions that can complicate matters.
In this blog, we will explore the core rules of subject-verb agreement and highlight common exceptions that may trip you up. By learning these concepts, you’ll not only enhance your writing but also feel more confident in your everyday conversations. Whether you’re writing an essay, preparing for an exam, or simply trying to communicate more effectively, understanding subject-verb agreement is a fundamental skill that can elevate your command of the English language.
Don’t worry if some rules feel confusing at first; practice makes them easier!
1. Singular and Plural Subjects and Verbs
- If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular.
Example: She writes every day. - If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Example: They write every day.
Exception: When using the singular “they,” use plural verb forms.
Example: The participant expressed satisfaction with their job. They are currently in a managerial role.
2. Compound Subjects Connected by “And”
A compound subject consists of two or more subjects that share the same verb and are joined by a conjunction (such as “and” or “or”). These subjects work together to perform the action of the verb in the sentence. For example:
- “Tom and Jerry are best friends.”
- “The cat and the dog play in the yard.”
- “Either the teacher or the students will present the project.”
In each of these sentences, the compound subjects (Tom and Jerry, the cat and the dog, either the teacher or the students) share a single verb, making the sentence more concise and connected.
The Subject-Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects
- When two or more nouns or pronouns are connected by “and,” the verb should be plural.
Example: The student and the teacher discuss the project regularly.
3. Phrases Between the Subject and Verb
- The verb agrees with the main subject, not any noun or pronoun in phrases that separate them.
Example: The student, along with the committee members, is excited.
“The student” (Singular) here is the main Subject not “the committee members” therefore the verb is “is”.
4. Subjects Joined by “Or” or “Nor”
- When two singular nouns or pronouns are connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb should be singular.
Example: The manager or the supervisor approves the proposal.
Rule of Proximity: If a compound subject includes both singular and plural nouns, the verb agrees with the part closest to it.
Example: The professor or the students have chosen the topic.
5. Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things. They are used when the exact identity of the noun is not known or not important. Here are some examples:
- Singular Indefinite Pronouns: anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody.
- Example: “Someone left their umbrella.”
- Plural Indefinite Pronouns: both, few, many, several.
- Example: “Many are called, but few are chosen.”
- Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns: all, any, more, most, none, some.
- Example: “All of the cake is gone.” (singular)
- Example: “All of the students are here.” (plural)
Indefinite pronouns help us talk about people or things in a general way without specifying exactly who or what they are.
The Subject-Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
As you can see certain indefinite pronouns always function as singular, requiring a singular verb, whereas others are always plural and necessitate a plural verb. Additionally, some can be used as either singular or plural, depending on the situation.
- Words like “each,” “everyone,” “someone,” and “nobody” are singular and require singular verbs.
Example: Each of the participants was interviewed.
6. Noncountable Nouns
Noncountable nouns, also known as uncountable or mass nouns, refer to things that cannot be counted individually. They often represent abstract concepts, substances, or collective categories. Here are some examples:
- Abstract Concepts: Love, happiness, information, advice.
- Substances: Water, air, sugar, rice.
- Collective Categories: Furniture, equipment, luggage, traffic.
Noncountable nouns typically do not have a plural form and are used with singular verbs. For example, we say “The information is useful” rather than “The informations are useful.”
The Subject-Verb Agreement with Uncountable Nouns as Subjects
- Uncountable nouns take singular verbs.
Example: Information is essential for decision-making.
7. Countable Nouns with Only Plural Forms
Countable nouns, also known as count nouns, refer to items that can be counted individually. They have both singular and plural forms and can be used with numbers and articles like “a” or “an.” Here are some examples:
- Singular: a book, an apple, a car.
- Plural: books, apples, cars.
The Subject-Verb Agreement With Countable Nouns with Only Plural Forms
- Nouns like “earnings,” “proceeds,” and “goods” have plural forms and require plural verbs.
Example: The proceeds from the event support charity.
8. Subjects with “There is” or “There are”
In sentences that start with “there is” or “there are,” the subject follows the verb, and the verb agrees with the actual subject.
“There is”
- Singular Subject: There is a book on the table.
- Uncountable Noun: There is milk in the fridge.
- Abstract Noun: There is hope for the future.
“There are”
- Plural Subject: There are many books on the shelf.
- Countable Nouns: There are apples in the basket.
- Multiple Items: There are several options to consider.
In these sentences, “there is” is used with singular subjects and uncountable nouns, while “there are” is used with plural subjects and countable nouns. This structure helps to emphasize the existence or presence of something.
9. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to words that describe a group of individuals or things as a single entity. Here are some examples:
- Animals: A flock of birds, a herd of cattle, a pack of wolves.
- People: A team of players, a crew of sailors, a class of students.
- Objects: A bunch of keys, a bouquet of flowers, a fleet of ships.
These nouns help us talk about groups in a concise way, making our language more efficient and expressive.
The Subject-Verb Agreement With Collective Nouns
- Collective nouns, such as “team” or “family,” are typically singular when they act as a unit.
Example: The team meets weekly.
- If referring to individual members, use a plural verb.
- Example: The team debate their strategies.
Additional Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
1. Negative and Interrogative Sentences (a question)
- For negative and interrogative sentences, ensure verbs match the subject.
Example: Doesn’t she know you already?
3. Periods of Time, Distance, and Sum of Money
- Subjects referring to time, money, or distance often take singular verbs.
Example: One hundred dollars is a lot for a ticket.
4. Sentences with “Each” or “Every”
- When a sentence starts with “each” or “every,” it takes a singular verb.
Example: Every student has completed the test.
5. Wishes or Requests
- For wishes or hypothetical situations, “were” is used for singular and plural subjects.
Example: I wish I were a bird.
Wrapping Up
Subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and precise communication in English. While some rules are straightforward, others may require careful consideration. Learning and reviewing these key rules and examples will help you understand the rules of subject-verb agreement and apply them effectively in your writing. Keep practicing, and soon these rules will become second nature!
Understanding subject-verb agreement is a foundational step in enhancing both written and spoken English. To ensure your writing is polished and free from frequent grammar errors, explore my post on top grammar mistakes in IELTS writing and how to fix them.
