The agreement of subject and verb is a fundamental rule in English grammar stating that the predicate verb must match its subject in person and number to ensure proper sentence structure and clarity.
One common error made in both speaking and writing is the lack of agreement between the subject noun or pronoun and the predicate verb.
The verb must agree with its subject in person or number.
What Is an Exercise on Subject-Verb Agreement?
Choose the correct verb, then tap Show answer to check.
- Everybody in the theater disappointed when the guest star did not arrive.a. wasb. were
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a. was — Everybody is singular. - At the end of the hallway an old painting and several antique jars.a. wasb. were
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b. were — the compound subject (painting + jars) is plural, even though it comes after the verb. - He is one of those basketball players who always into trouble.a. getb. gets
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a. get — who refers to the plural players. - You should have your glasses in a safer place.a. lainb. laid
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b. laid — past participle of the transitive verb lay (to put). - The number of students in the university from year to year.a. varyb. varies
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b. varies — The number takes a singular verb. - there any one of the books I lend which you particularly like?a. Isb. Are
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a. Is — any one is singular. - Almost everything in the film, including its cinematography and art direction to its cinematic quality.a. addb. adds
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b. adds — everything is singular; the “including…” phrase does not change that. - The President, as well as his Ministers, present in the meeting at the Manila Hotel.a. wasb. were
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a. was — “as well as his Ministers” is only an add-on; the subject is The President. - Two-thirds of the place under water.a. wasb. were
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a. was — the fraction refers to one mass (the place). - Wood curving been an important industry among the people of Peete.a. hasb. have
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a. has — Wood curving is a singular subject.
How Does the Agreement of Verb with Compound Subject Work?
Compound subjects are usually connected by and, or, nor, either-or, and neither-nor.
Components of Compound Subject
If two parts of a compound subject are separated by the word “and” and both parts refer to different individuals, the compound subject is considered plural and the verb must be plural.
If two parts of a compound subject are separated by the word “and” and both parts refer to a single person or thing, or form a single unit, the compound subject is considered singular and the verb must be singular.
How Do Verbs Agree with Collective Nouns?
A collective noun represents a group of persons or objects. If the collective noun in a particular sentence represents the individuals acting as a unit, the noun is singular. If the sentence indicates clearly that the individuals are acting separately, the noun is plural.
| The group acts… | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| As a unit | Singular | The community is opposing the cementing of this road. The troop is marching. |
| As individuals | Plural | The class organized their schedules. |
How Do Verbs Agree with Indefinite Pronouns?
| Rule | Words | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| A | one, no one, anyone, everyone, someone, anybody, nobody, everybody, somebody, each, either, neither | Always singular |
| B | many a, each, and every — when used to introduce a sentence and function as adjectives | Subject is singular |
| C | several, few, both, and many | Always plural |
| D | some, none, any, and all | Singular or plural by meaning: a quantity or mass taken as a whole → singular; a number → plural |
| E | Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning: mumps, measles, news, physics, mathematics | Singular |
To master more rules like these, explore Thirty Basic Rules in Subject-Verb Agreement and Grammar and study Six Tenses of the Verb to improve your overall sentence structure.
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Key Takeaways
- The predicate verb must agree with its subject noun or pronoun in person and number.
- Compound subjects joined by “and” that name separate individuals take a plural verb; those acting as a single unit take a singular verb.
- Collective nouns take singular verbs when acting as a unit and plural verbs when acting as individuals.
- Indefinite pronouns like each, everyone, and somebody are singular and take singular verbs.
- Certain nouns like news, physics, and mathematics are plural in form but singular in meaning.
Quick Practice
Try these practice items, then tap Show answer. You can also share your answers in the comments below.
- The committee (is / are) discussing the new project rules.
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is — the committee acts as one unit. - Neither the teacher nor the students (was / were) late.
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were — the verb agrees with the nearer subject, students (plural).
FAQ
What is the basic rule for the agreement of subject and verb?
The fundamental rule states that a verb must agree with its subject in person and number (e.g., singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs).
How do compound subjects affect verb agreement?
If parts of a compound subject refer to different individuals, the verb is plural. If they refer to a single person, thing, or unit, the verb is singular.
Are collective nouns singular or plural?
Collective nouns are singular when the group acts as a single unit, and they are plural when the members act separately as individuals.
More Lessons to Try
Continue improving your English grammar and writing skills with these related lessons:
- Thirty Basic Rules in Subject-Verb Agreement and Grammar
- Six Tenses of the Verb
- Special Cases of Agreement
- Adjective Clauses
- Adjectives have Comparison
- Explore All Grammar Lessons