Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement in English

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar where the subject of a sentence must agree with its verb in number (singular or plural) and person. This means that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. Here’s a comprehensive explanation:

Basic Rules

Singular Subjects:

  • Example: The cat runs fast.
    • “The cat” (singular subject) + “runs” (singular verb).

Plural Subjects:

  • Example: The cats run fast.
    • “The cats” (plural subject) + “run” (plural verb).

Agreement with Compound Subjects

Subjects Joined by “and”:

  • When two singular nouns are joined by “and,” they take a plural verb.
    • Example: My friend and colleague are coming.

Subjects Joined by “or” or “nor”:

  • When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
    • Example: Neither the teacher nor the students understand the assignment.
    • Example: Either the students or the teacher is responsible.

Indefinite Pronouns

Always Singular:

  • each, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, etc.
    • Example: Everyone is invited.
    • Example: Somebody was at the door.

Always Plural:

  • few, many, several, both
    • Example: Few are available.
    • Example: Both have left.

Can be Singular or Plural:

  • all, some, none, any, most
    • Example: All of the cake is gone. (cake is uncountable)
    • Example: All of the students are here. (students is countable)

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on whether the group acts as a single unit or as individuals.

Singular (acting as one unit):

  • Example: The team is winning.

Plural (acting as individuals):

  • Example: The team are arguing among themselves.

Titles and Names

Titles of books, movies, and other works, as well as the names of organizations, even if plural in form, take a singular verb.

  • Example: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” is a popular book.
  • Example: The United Nations is an international organization.

Special Cases

Subjects separated from verbs by phrases or clauses:

  • Ignore the intervening phrases or clauses and make sure the verb agrees with the main subject.
    • Example: The bouquet of flowers is beautiful.
    • Example: The girl who writes stories is talented.

Singular subjects with plural forms:

  • Words like “news,” “mathematics,” “measles,” and “economics” are singular despite their plural forms.
    • Example: The news is on at 6 PM.

Plural subjects with singular forms:

  • Words like “scissors,” “trousers,” and “glasses” are plural despite their singular forms.
    • Example: The scissors are on the table.

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Verb

Select the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

  1. The list of items (is/are) on the desk.
  2. Neither the teacher nor the students (understands/understand) the problem.
  3. Each of the players (has/have) a unique skill.
  4. The team (is/are) celebrating their victory.
  5. Mathematics (is/are) difficult for some students.

Exercise 2: Correct the Errors

Correct the subject-verb agreement errors in the following sentences.

  1. The dogs in the park runs fast.
  2. Everyone have their own opinion.
  3. The committee are deciding on the new policy.
  4. The pair of shoes are expensive.
  5. Neither the cat nor the dogs is hungry.

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

  1. The news (be) __________ surprising.
  2. Both of the answers (be) __________ correct.
  3. Some of the cake (be) __________ left.
  4. The team (be) __________ playing well.
  5. Each of the students (be) __________ responsible.

Exercise 1

  1. is
  2. understand
  3. has
  4. is
  5. is

Exercise 2

  1. The dogs in the park run fast.
  2. Everyone has their own opinion.
  3. The committee is deciding on the new policy.
  4. The pair of shoes is expensive.
  5. Neither the cat nor the dogs are hungry

Exercise 3

  1. is
  2. are
  3. is
  4. is
  5. is

Summary:

  • Basic Rule: Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
  • Compound Subjects: Use a plural verb with “and”; use the verb that agrees with the closest subject when using “or” or “nor.”
  • Indefinite Pronouns: Some are always singular, some are always plural, and some depend on the context.
  • Collective Nouns: Can be singular or plural depending on whether the group acts as one unit or as individuals.
  • Titles and Names: Treat them as singular.
  • Special Cases: Pay attention to subjects separated from verbs and words that appear plural or singular but are actually the opposite in agreement.

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