Subject-Verb Agreement
The verb in a sentence must agree with its subject in number — singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs. This rule seems simple, but several situations make it tricky.
The basic rule
A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb. In the present simple, singular third-person subjects add -s to the verb.
| Subject | Verb form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I / You / We / They | Base form | They work every day. |
| He / She / It / Singular noun | Base form + -s | She works every day. The dog barks. |
| Plural noun | Base form | The dogs bark. Students study hard. |
Tricky cases
1. Phrases between subject and verb. The verb agrees with the main subject, not with any noun in an intervening phrase.
The box of chocolates is on the table. (box = singular subject)
The students in my class work very hard. (students = plural subject)
One of the windows was broken. (one = singular subject)
2. Compound subjects with "and." Two subjects joined by and take a plural verb.
Tom and Lucy are coming to the party.
The cat and the dog are asleep.
Exception: Salt and pepper is on the table. (treated as a single unit)
3. Either … or / Neither … nor. The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Either the teacher or the students are responsible.
Either the students or the teacher is responsible.
Neither the manager nor the staff were informed.
4. Collective nouns. In British English, collective nouns (team, family, government, committee) can take singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group is acting as a unit or as individuals. In American English, they typically take singular verbs.
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| The team are playing well. (individuals) | The team is playing well. |
| The committee have decided. (members acted) | The committee has decided. |
5. Indefinite pronouns. These are always singular: everyone, everyone, somebody, nobody, everything, each, either, neither, one.
Everyone is welcome.
Nobody knows the answer.
Each student has a textbook.
Neither option is ideal.
6. Uncountable nouns always take a singular verb: Water is essential. News travels fast. The information is correct.
"The number" vs. "A number": The number of students is increasing. (singular) vs. A number of students are absent. (plural). "The number" refers to a specific count; "a number of" means "several" and acts like a plural quantifier.
Tip: When in doubt, identify the real subject — ignore any phrases beginning with of, with, including, as well as, along with. These do not change the number of the subject: The president, as well as his advisers, is attending. The subject is still singular (the president).