Subject-verb agreement is a basic but essential grammar rule in English that ensures clarity and correctness in sentence structure.
It refers to the idea that the subject of a sentence and its verb must match, or “agree,” in number. In simpler terms, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular.
If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural too. This rule might seem simple, but it can become tricky with more complex sentences.
subject verb agreement
Why Is Subject-Verb Agreement Important?
Correct subject-verb agreement helps make sentences easy to read and understand. When a sentence is grammatically correct, the meaning is clear. For example:
Correct: The dog barks at strangers.
Incorrect: The dog bark at strangers.
In the first sentence, “dog” is a singular subject, so the verb “barks” is also singular. In the second sentence, the verb “bark” is plural, which doesn’t match the singular subject. This small mismatch can confuse readers or listeners.
Subject-verb agreement is especially important in formal writing, such as essays, business reports, and academic papers. Even in casual writing, consistent grammar reflects professionalism and attention to detail.
Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
1- Singular Subjects Take Singular Verbs
She reads books every night.
“She” is a singular subject, so the verb “reads” includes the “-s” to show singular form.
2- Plural Subjects Take Plural Verbs
They read books every night.
“They” is plural, so the verb “read” drops the “-s” and takes the plural form.
3- Subjects Joined by “And” Are Plural
Tom and Jerry are best friends.
Two subjects joined by “and” are treated as plural and take a plural verb.
4- Subjects Joined by “Or” or “Nor” Take the Verb Closest to Them
Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.
Since “students” is plural and comes closest to the verb, the verb is plural.
5- Indefinite Pronouns Can Be Tricky.
Words like everyone, someone, each, anybody are singular and take singular verbs:
Everyone loves a good story.
However, words like few, many, several are plural:
Many were invited to the party.
6- Collective Nouns Can Be Singular or Plural.
A collective noun (e.g., team, family, group) takes a singular verb if the group is acting as a single unit:
The team wins every match.
If the individuals within the group are acting separately, a plural verb is used:
The team are arguing among themselves.
⇔ Download 22 Page subject-verb agreement PDF
Common Mistakes in Subject-Verb Agreement
Even native speakers often make errors in subject-verb agreement, especially when:
- A sentence has a long prepositional phrase that separates the subject from the verb.
The bouquet of roses smells wonderful. (Not “smell”)
- The subject appears plural but is actually singular in meaning.
Mathematics is my favorite subject.
- Sentences begin with “there is” or “there are.”
There is a book on the table. (singular)
There are two books on the table. (plural)
Tips to Master Subject-Verb Agreement
- Find the true subject of the sentence before choosing the verb.
- Ignore phrases that come between the subject and the verb.
- Pay attention to tricky subjects, like collective nouns and indefinite pronouns.
- Practice regularly with worksheets and exercises to strengthen your grammar skills.
- Read aloud—if something “sounds” wrong, it probably is.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement may seem like a small part of grammar, but it plays a huge role in making your communication clear and correct. Whether you’re writing an academic essay or having a casual conversation, using the right subject-verb match helps you express ideas accurately.
Understanding and applying these rules consistently will improve your writing and speaking significantly. It’s a simple concept with a big impact—once mastered, it becomes second nature.
