An Ultimate Guide to Subject-Verb Agreement in English

Let’s dive into an important yet challenging aspect of English grammar: subject-verb agreement. Don’t worry. We’ll take it step by step and help you to understand this topic. Subject-verb agreement is one of the more common mistake in written and spoken English.

In the world of English grammar, subject-verb agreement stands as a cornerstone of effective communication. It serves as the glue that holds our sentences together, ensuring clarity and coherence in our expression.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just dipping your toes into the intricacies of language, understanding this important concept can elevate your writing to new heights.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the nuances of subject-verb agreement, unraveling its complexities with clarity and providing you with some examples to help increase your understanding.

Understanding the Basics

At its essence, subject-verb agreement requires alignment between the subject (the noun) and the verb (the action word) within a sentence. In other words, the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject.

For example, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Here are some examples:

The cat (singular noun) eats (verb) leftovers for dinner every evening.

The cats (plural noun) eat (verb) leftovers for dinner every evening.

In the sentences above, the verb corresponds to the singular or plural nature of the subject.

Let’s see another example:

The dog barks loudly.

In the  sentence, the singular subject “dog” agrees with the singular verb “barks.”

The dogs bark loudly.

Here, the plural subject “dogs” aligns with the plural verb “bark.”

Below in the table is a summary of correct present tense subject-verb agreement. We are lucky in Enlgish in that there is only one change, which you can see in first-person singular. We simply add an “-s” to the end of the verb.

What is this “person” all about? The “person” in a sentence is who you are speaking to or about.

• First person uses pronouns like “I,” “me,” “my,” “we,” “us,” and “our.”
• Second person uses pronouns like “you,” “your,” and “yours.”
• Third person pronouns like “he,” “she,” “it,” “they,” “them,” and “theirs.”

	Singular	Plural
First Person	I sing in the shower.	We sing in the shower.
Second Person	You sing in the shower.	You (group) sing in the shower.
Third Person	He / She sings in the shower.	They sing in the shower.

Special Case: The Verb “to be”

With the verb “to be,” we use “is” for singular nouns and “are” for plural ones.

The woman is performing in the play.

The women are performing in the play.

With the verb “to be,” the agreements are as follows:

	Singular	Plural
First Person	I am.	We are.
Second Person	You are.	You (group) are.
Third Person	He / She / It is.	They are.

Subject-Verb Agreement in Specific Cases

While subject-verb agreement may seem straightforward, certain scenarios can complicate matters. Let’s explore some common stumbling blocks and how to overcome them:

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns, such as “team,” “family,” “staff,” or “committee,” are considered singular.

The team is winning the match.

The committee of homeowners is working on a new proposal.

Be careful not to write or say,

The committee of homeowners are working on a new proposal.

One more example:

The box of chocolates is on the table.

The verb “is” must agree with box, the primary subject, not with chocolates.

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are sometimes bit more unpredictable. When you’re dealing with words like “everyone” or “everything,” you’re dealing with a third-person singular subject. So,

Everybody wants a piece of the cake.

Likewise, the pronoun “everyone” may sound plural, but it’s actually, you guessed it, third-person singular. So you’d say,

Everyone wants to go to the party.

Compound Subjects

When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” the verb is usually plural.

Tom and Jerry are good friends.

Intervening Phrases

Phrases between the subject and verb do not affect agreement.

The ice caps, which you can see on the top of that mountain, melt during the summertime.

Be sure to make the verb, melt, agree with the the subject, ice caps. The subject here is not mountain.

Don’t Versus Doesn’t

It’s worth a special mention to point out the words don’t and doesn’t. Confusing these two words is one of the most common mistake in English grammar.

	Singular	Plural
First Person	I don’t know her name.	We don’t know her name.
Second Person	You don’t know her name.	You (group) don’t know her name.
Third Person	He / She doesn’t know her name.	They don’t know her name.

This chart shows the one exception to using “don’t.” “Doesn’t” is used only for third person singular. In all other cases, it is “don’t.”

So be careful,

He don’t know how to cook very well.

is often said and written. This is incorrect.

Have Versus Has

We say, “You have” and “He has.” Again, be careful to note that “has” used only for third person singular.”

Subject-Verb Agreement in Tricky Sentences

Let’s put our knowledge into practice with some more complex examples:

1. Either the cat or the dog ________ (is/are) responsible for the mess.
   • Correct answer: is (Singular)
2. The book, along with the pen and notebook, ________ (was/were) left on the desk.
   • Correct answer: was (Singular)
3. Ten dollars ________ (is/are) a high price for a cup of coffee.
   • Correct answer: is (Singular)
4. The quality of the products ________ (have/has) greatly improved over time.
   • Correct answer: has (Singular)

Avoiding Agreement Errors

Subject-verb agreement errors can lead to confusion and undermine the clarity of your writing. To avoid such mistakes, consider the following tips:

1. Identify the subject: Clearly determine whether the subject is singular or plural before selecting the appropriate verb form.
2. Ignore prepositional phrases: Phrases that begin with prepositions (such as “with,” “to,” “in,” “on”) do not affect subject-verb agreement. Focus on the subject itself.
3. Listen for natural speech: Read your sentences aloud to gauge whether the subject and verb sound harmonious. This can help you identify any agreement discrepancies.
4. Trust your instincts: Often, your natural language intuition can guide you toward the correct subject-verb agreement. If a sentence sounds off, it likely needs revision.

Final Thoughts

Subject-verb agreement forms the backbone of coherent communication in English. By mastering this fundamental rule, you empower yourself to write sentences that resonate with clarity and precision.

Remember, whether your subject is singular or plural, ensuring harmony between subject and verb is key to unlocking the full potential of your writing. 🚀