Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the verb in a sentence must match the subject in both number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). This agreement helps maintain clarity and correctness in sentences.

According to Garner’s Modern English Usage, the rule is simple:

• Use a singular verb with a singular subject.
• Use a plural verb with a plural subject.

Why is Subject-Verb Agreement Important?

Subject-verb agreement ensures that sentences are grammatically correct, which:

• Enhances the clarity of communication.
• Avoids confusion for the reader or listener.
• Improves the overall quality of writing and speaking.

Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement:

1. Basic Rule of Singular and Plural Subjects

Definition:

The most fundamental rule of subject-verb agreement is that a singular subject must take a singular verb, and a plural subject must take a plural verb.

• Singular subjects include singular nouns (e.g., dog, girl, car) and singular pronouns (e.g., he, she, it).
• Plural subjects include plural nouns (e.g., dogs, girls, cars) and plural pronouns (e.g., they, we).

How to Identify Singular and Plural Verbs:

• In present tense, singular verbs typically end with -s or -es, while plural verbs do not.
• In past tense, most verbs remain the same regardless of the subject.

Singular Verbs:

• walks, runs, sings, writes
• is, does, has

Plural Verbs:

• walk, run, sing, write
• are, do, have

Examples:

Singular Subject with Singular Verb:

• The cat sleeps on the mat.
  (cat = singular subject, sleeps = singular verb)
• She writes novels.
  (She = singular pronoun, writes = singular verb)
• A student studies hard for exams.
  (student = singular subject, studies = singular verb)

Plural Subject with Plural Verb:

• The cats sleep on the mat.
  (cats = plural subject, sleep = plural verb)
• The boys play football.
  (boys = plural subject, play = plural verb)
• Students study hard for exams.
  (students = plural subject, study = plural verb)

2. The ‘Be’ Verbs and Subject Agreement

The verb ‘be’ is unique because it changes its form not only based on the number (singular/plural) but also the person (first, second, or third person) of the subject. The different forms of the verb ‘be’ include am, is, are, was, were, being, and been.

Forms of the ‘Be’ Verb with Subject Agreement:

Person	Pronoun	Present Tense	Example
First person singular	I	am	I am playing.
First person plural	We	are	We are playing.
Second person	You (singular & plural)	are	You are playing.
Third person singular	He/She/It	is	She is playing.
Third person plural	They	are	They are playing.

Examples in Different Tenses:

Present Simple Tense:

• I am a teacher.
• He is at the store.
• They are my neighbors.

Past Simple Tense:

• I was at the party.
• She was happy yesterday.
• They were late for the meeting.

Present Continuous Tense:

• I am reading a book.
• He is studying for exams.
• They are playing outside.

Past Continuous Tense:

• I was waiting for the bus.
• She was cooking dinner.
• They were discussing the project.

Present Perfect Tense:

• She has been my friend for years.
• They have been helpful.

3. Using ‘Has’ and ‘Have’ in Subject-Verb Agreement

The verbs ‘has’ and ‘have’ indicate possession or the completion of an action. The choice between ‘has’ and ‘have’ depends on whether the subject is singular or plural, as well as the person of the subject.

• Singular subjects (he, she, it, or singular nouns) use ‘has’.
• Plural subjects (they, we, you, or plural nouns) use ‘have’.

Examples- Singular Subjects:

• She has a beautiful garden.
• The dog has a shiny coat.
• My friend has a new car.

Plural Subjects:

• They have completed their project.
• The children have gone to the park.
• You have an amazing talent!

In Different Tenses:

Present Perfect Tense:

• He has finished his homework. (Singular)
• We have traveled to many countries. (Plural)

Present Perfect Continuous Tense:

• She has been studying all night.
• They have been waiting for an hour.

4. Compound Subjects with ‘And’

When two or more subjects are joined by ‘and’, the verb must be plural. This is because the subjects together act as a plural entity.

• Romeo and Juliet are classic characters.
• The manager and his team are attending the meeting.
• Both the teacher and the students have prepared well for the event.

Special Cases:

• When two singular nouns joined by ‘and’ refer to a single entity, the verb is singular.

Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.

Time and tide wait for no one. (An exception to the rule)

5. Subjects Joined by ‘Or’ or ‘Nor’

When subjects are connected by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the verb must agree with the subject closest to it. This rule ensures the subject-verb agreement remains logical.

When the Closest Subject is Singular:

• Either the teacher or the principal approves the schedule.
• Neither my friend nor his sister has a car.

When the Closest Subject is Plural:

• Either the cat or the dogs are outside.
• Neither the teacher nor the students were late.
• Either my parents or my brother is picking me up.

Special Rule with Mixed Subjects:

When subjects are mixed (singular and plural), the verb should match the nearest subject:

• Neither the cookies nor the cake was fresh. (Nearest subject ‘cake’ is singular)
• Either the kids or their guardian is responsible. (Nearest subject ‘guardian’ is singular)

6. Indefinite Pronouns as Singular Subjects

Indefinite pronouns such as anybody, everyone, nobody, someone, nothing, and everything are always singular and therefore require singular verbs.

Examples:

• Everyone loves the new movie.
• Nothing makes sense anymore.
• Somebody is knocking at the door.
• Anybody knows the answer to this question.

Exceptions:

• Some indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural depending on the context:

All of the cake is gone. (Singular)

All of the students are present. (Plural)

7. ‘Either...or’ and ‘Neither...nor’ Rules

When sentences use ‘either...or’ and ‘neither...nor’, the verb should match the noun or pronoun closest to it. This rule ensures that the verb agrees correctly with the subject's number (singular or plural).

• If the subject closest to the verb is singular, use a singular verb.
• If the subject closest to the verb is plural, use a plural verb.

Examples:

Singular Subjects Closest to the Verb:

• Either John or his brother is attending the meeting.
• Neither the students nor the teacher was informed.
• Either the cat or the dog needs a bath.

Plural Subjects Closest to the Verb:

• Either John or his friends are coming.
• Neither the children nor their parents were present.
• Either the teacher or the students have to participate in the event.

Special Cases:

• When both subjects are singular:

Either the manager or the assistant is available.

• When both subjects are plural:

Neither the boys nor the girls were late.

8. Special Nouns (e.g., Police, News, Scissors)

Certain nouns appear plural but are singular in meaning, and vice versa:

• Singular in meaning: news, mathematics, physics, measles, etc.
• Always plural: scissors, trousers, pants, police, glasses, etc.

Examples:

Singular Nouns (Appear Plural):

• The news is shocking.
• Mathematics is a difficult subject.
• Physics has many interesting theories.

Plural Nouns (Always Plural):

• The police are investigating the case.
• My trousers are too tight.
• The scissors are on the table.

9. Subject-Verb Agreement in Negative Sentences

In negative sentences, the auxiliary verb (do/does/did) must match the subject in number and person.

• Use ‘does not’ with singular subjects (he, she, it).
• Use ‘do not’ with plural subjects (they, we, you) and I.

Examples:

Singular Subjects:

• She does not like coffee.
• John does not play football.
• It does not matter anymore.

Plural Subjects:

• They do not want to leave.
• We do not agree with this decision.
• I do not have any questions.

10. Interrogative (Question) Sentences

When framing questions, the verb (do/does/is/are/has/have) must match the subject that follows. The subject-verb agreement is maintained even when the verb appears before the subject.

Examples:

Singular Subjects:

• Does he play the guitar?
• Is she coming to the party?
• Has Tina completed her assignment?

Plural Subjects:

• Are they joining us for dinner?
• Do the children know the rules?
• Have the students submitted their projects?

11. Sentences Starting with ‘Here’ or ‘There’

When a sentence begins with ‘here’ or ‘there’, the subject comes after the verb. The verb should agree with the subject that follows it.

Examples:

Singular Subjects:

• Here is your book.
• There lies the truth.
• Here comes the bride.

Plural Subjects:

• There are many opportunities for growth.
• Here are your keys.
• There have been several complaints.

12. Abstract and Uncountable Nouns

Abstract nouns (e.g., love, honesty, happiness) and uncountable nouns (e.g., water, air, sugar, information) are always singular and thus require a singular verb.

• Abstract nouns represent ideas, qualities, or states, not physical objects.
• Uncountable nouns cannot be counted individually and do not have a plural form.

Examples:

Abstract Nouns:

• Love is powerful.
• Honesty pays in the long run.
• Patience helps you deal with challenges.

Uncountable Nouns:

• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
• The information is accurate.
• Sugar tastes sweet.

13. Time, Distance, and Money as Singular Subjects

When referring to time, distance, or a sum of money, the subject is treated as singular, requiring a singular verb. This is because these measurements are considered a single unit rather than individual components.

Examples:

• Five kilometers is too far to walk. (Distance)
• Two hours seems like an eternity. (Time)
• A thousand rupees is enough for the tickets. (Money)
• Ten minutes is all I need to get ready. (Time)
• Twenty miles takes about thirty minutes by car. (Distance)

14. Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (e.g., family, team, group, committee, audience) can take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is considered as a single unit or as individuals.

• When the group acts together as a whole, use a singular verb.
• When the group members act independently, use a plural verb.

Examples:

Acting as a Single Unit:

• The audience was captivated by the performance.
• The committee decides the rules.
• The family enjoys dinner together.

Acting as Individuals:

• The staff are discussing their opinions separately.
• The band were tuning their instruments individually.
• The group have differing views on the matter.

15. Adjective Phrases with ‘All’, ‘Some’, ‘A Lot of’

When phrases like all, some, a lot of, most of, and half of modify a noun, the verb agreement depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable.

• Uncountable nouns (e.g., water, rice, sugar): Use a singular verb.
• Countable nouns (e.g., books, apples, cars): Use a plural verb.

Examples:

With Uncountable Nouns (Singular Verb):

• All of the information is useful.
• Some of the milk has spilled.
• A lot of furniture needs rearranging.

With Countable Nouns (Plural Verb):

• Some of the students are absent today.
• A lot of cars were parked outside.
• Most of the cookies have been eaten.

16. ‘Each’ and ‘Every’ as Singular Subjects

When using ‘each’ or ‘every’, the subject is always considered singular, so the verb must be singular as well.

• Each emphasizes individual members of a group.
• Every emphasizes the entire group collectively, but still treats them as singular.

Examples:

• Each participant receives a certificate.
• Every student is expected to attend the class.
• Each of the players has a unique skill.
• Every door was locked securely.
• Each member of the team takes responsibility.

17. Expressing Wishes and Requests (Subjunctive Mood)

When expressing wishes, hypothetical situations, or making polite requests, the verb form might differ from regular subject-verb agreement rules.

• In wishes and hypotheticals, use ‘were’ instead of ‘was’, even with singular subjects.
• For formal requests, the verb often remains in its base form, following the subjunctive mood.

Examples:

Expressing Wishes:

• I wish I were taller.
• If he were more careful, he would succeed.
• She wishes she were at the beach.

Making Polite Requests:

• We request that everyone remain seated.
• The manager suggested that he arrive early.
• They insisted that the event start on time.