03/05/2025
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Rule 1 – Singular subjects take singular verbs. Plural subjects take plural verbs.
The cat SLEEPS on the couch.
The cats SLEEP on the couch.
He WANTS to be a writer.
They WANT to succeed.
She IS my best friend.
Note: The pronouns I and You always take plural verbs.
I WALK to school every day.
You LOOK very confident.
I NEED some help with this.
Rule 2 – Compound subjects or subjects joined by “and” take a plural verb.
My sister and my cousin LIVE in Delhi.
David and Lucy SING in the choir.
Mark and Susan WERE present at the event.
Rule 3 – When the subject words are joined by or, neither/nor, either/or, & not only/but, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
The manager or the employees WERE responsible.
The employees or the manager WAS responsible.
Either the teacher or the students HAVE the materials.
Neither the books nor the pen IS available.
Rule 4 – The indefinite pronouns: no one, anyone, everyone, someone, anybody, everybody, somebody, nobody, anything, everything, something, are always singular.
Nobody LIKES being ignored.
Somebody HAS knocked on the door.
Everything SEEMS fine now.
While indefinite pronouns like both, many, several, few, others, are always plural.
Several students WERE absent today.
Few people UNDERSTAND quantum physics.
Both players HAVE signed the agreement.
Some indefinite pronouns like all, any, more, most, none, some can be singular or plural depending on the context.
Some of the books ARE missing.
Most of the water HAS evaporated.
None of the cake WAS left.
Rule 5 – When a group of words or modifiers separate the subject and the verb, locate the subject word to determine agreement.
The books on the shelf in the library BELONG to the school.
The candle in the lantern IS still burning.
Rule 6 – Phrases like together with, along with, as well as, accompanied by, in addition to do not affect the subject.
The teacher, along with the students, IS attending the seminar.
My cousins, as well as their parents, ENJOY outdoor trips.
Rule 7 – Modifiers between the subject and verb do not affect the number of the subject.
The actor, who starred in five movies, WAS interviewed.
The child, who plays the violin, IS very talented.
Rule 8 – Some collective nouns can be used as singular or plural depending on context.
The team WINS every match.
The team ARE arguing among themselves.
Rule 9 – Uncountable nouns take singular verbs.
Furniture IS expensive these days.
Knowledge IS power.
Water IS essential for life.
Rule 10 – Some nouns ending in ‘s’ are always singular.
Physics IS my favorite subject.
The news WAS unexpected.
Measles IS a contagious disease.
Rule 11 – Fractional expressions like half of, part of, portion of, may take singular or plural verbs based on the noun.
Half of the cake WAS eaten.
Half of the cookies WERE gone.
A portion of the apples WAS rotten.
Rule 12 – In inverted sentences, especially with “here” and “there,” the subject follows the verb.
There WAS a loud sound last night.
Here ARE your keys.
There WERE many guests at the party.