Subject-Verb Agreement – Definition, Rules, Examples and Exercises

Every sentence has two essential parts: a Subject and a Verb. The verb must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third person). This principle is called Subject-Verb Agreement.

Correct subject-verb agreement makes sentences grammatically accurate and easier to understand.

In this lesson, you will learn:

• What is Subject–Verb Agreement?
• Basic rules
• Important special rules
• Common errors
• Practice exercises with answers

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Read the following sentences.

• She plays badminton.
• They play badminton.
• The dog barks loudly.
• The dogs bark loudly.

Notice that the verb changes according to the subject.

Definition

Subject-Verb Agreement is the rule that the verb must agree with its subject in number and person.

Simply put:

• A singular subject takes a singular verb.
• A plural subject takes a plural verb.

Basic Rule

Rule 1: Singular Subject Takes a Singular Verb

Examples:

• The boy plays football.
• My sister lives in Delhi.
• The teacher explains the lesson well.

Rule 2: Plural Subject Takes a Plural Verb

Examples:

• The boys play football.
• My friends live in Delhi.
• The teachers explain the lesson clearly.

Rule 3: Two Subjects Joined by and

When two or more subjects are joined by and, they usually take a plural verb.

Examples:

• Rahul and Mohan are friends.
• Tea and coffee are available here.
• My father and mother live together.

Exception

If the two words refer to one person or one idea, use a singular verb.

Examples:

• Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.
• The poet and philosopher has arrived.

(Here, the poet and philosopher refers to the same person.)

Rule 4: Subjects Joined by or, nor, either…or, neither…nor

The verb agrees with the subject nearest to it.

Examples:

• Either Rahul or his friends are coming.
• Either the teachers or the principal is present.
• Neither the students nor the teacher was absent.

Rule 5: Collective Nouns

A collective noun usually takes a singular verb when the group is considered as one unit.

Examples:

• The team is playing well.
• The committee has made its decision.

When the members of the group are acting individually (more common in British English), a plural verb may be used.

Example:

• The team are arguing among themselves.

Note: In modern Indian and American English, a singular verb is generally preferred with collective nouns.

Rule 6: Indefinite Pronouns

The following pronouns take singular verbs:

• everyone
• everybody
• someone
• somebody
• anyone
• anybody
• no one
• nobody
• each
• either
• neither

Examples:

• Everybody likes music.
• Someone has called you.
• Each student receives a certificate.

Rule 7: Amounts of Money, Time, Distance and Weight

When they refer to one quantity or one unit, they take a singular verb.

Examples:

• Ten thousand rupees is a large amount.
• Five kilometres is not far.
• Two hours is enough.

Rule 8: Titles of Books, Films and Newspapers

Even though they may look plural, titles take a singular verb.

Examples:

• The Chronicles of Narnia is a famous novel series.
• Gulliver’s Travels is an interesting book.

Rule 9: Nouns That Look Plural but Are Singular

Some nouns end in -s but are singular in meaning.

Examples:

• Mathematics is my favourite subject.
• Physics is difficult.
• Economics is an important subject.
• News is good today.

Rule 10: Plural Nouns Without -s

Some nouns are plural even though they do not end in -s.

Examples:

• The children are playing.
• The people have gathered.
• The police are investigating the case.
• The cattle are grazing.

Rule 11: “There” Sentences

When a sentence begins with There, the verb agrees with the real subject that follows it.

Examples:

• There is a pen on the table.
• There are five books on the shelf.
• There was an accident yesterday.

Rule 12: Every / Each

When every or each comes before a singular noun, use a singular verb.

Examples:

• Every student has submitted the assignment.
• Each child receives a gift.

Rule 13: Along With, Together With, As Well As

Words like along with, together with, as well as, including, and with do not make the subject plural.

The verb agrees with the main subject.

Examples:

• Rahul, along with his friends, is going to Jaipur.
• The teacher, as well as the students, was happy.
• My brother, together with his cousins, has arrived.

Rule 14: Fractions and Percentages

The verb depends on the noun that follows of.

Examples:

• Fifty percent of the water has evaporated.
• Fifty percent of the students have passed.

Rule 15: None

None may take either a singular or plural verb depending on the meaning.

Examples:

• None of the information is useful.
• None of the students have arrived yet.

Common Mistakes

✘ He go to school.

✔ He goes to school.

✘ Everyone have completed the work.

✔ Everyone has completed the work.

✘ Rahul along with his friends are playing.

✔ Rahul along with his friends is playing.

✘ Mathematics are difficult.

✔ Mathematics is difficult.

✘ There is many students in the class.

✔ There are many students in the class.

Quick Revision Table

Summary

• The verb must agree with its subject in number and person.
• Singular subjects take singular verbs.
• Plural subjects take plural verbs.
• In sentences with or, nor, either…or, and neither…nor, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
• Collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, titles, and measurement expressions follow special agreement rules.
• Mastering these rules helps avoid many common grammatical errors.

Practice Exercise 1

Choose the correct verb.

1. The boys (plays/play) football every evening.
2. Every student (has/have) completed the homework.
3. Neither Rohan nor his friends (is/are) coming.
4. Bread and butter (is/are) my favourite breakfast.
5. Mathematics (is/are) an interesting subject.
6. There (is/are) three apples in the basket.
7. Rahul, along with his brother, (is/are) travelling today.
8. The police (is/are) investigating the matter.
9. Fifty percent of the milk (has/have) been used.
10. Each of the players (was/were) given a medal.

Practice Exercise 2

Identify and correct the errors.

1. Everyone have a ticket.
2. The news are surprising.
3. Neither the teachers nor the principal are present.
4. Rahul and his brother is playing cricket.
5. There is many books on the table.
6. Each student have submitted the form.
7. My friend along with his cousins are visiting us.
8. The committee have announced its decision.
9. Physics are my favourite subject.
10. Five kilometres are too far to walk.

Answers Exercise 1

1. play
2. has
3. are
4. is
5. is
6. are
7. is
8. are
9. has
10. was

Answers Exercise 2

1. Everyone has a ticket.
2. The news is surprising.
3. Neither the teachers nor the principal is present.
4. Rahul and his brother are playing cricket.
5. There are many books on the table.
6. Each student has submitted the form.
7. My friend along with his cousins is visiting us.
8. The committee has announced its decision.
9. Physics is my favourite subject.
10. Five kilometres is too far to walk.