Grammar can feel like a labyrinth of rules, but few are as fundamental to clear communication as subject-verb agreement. It’s the bedrock of logical sentence structure, ensuring that your sentences sound natural, professional, and correct. Missteps in agreement can confuse readers, undermine your credibility, and even change the intended meaning of your message.
This comprehensive guide will demystify subject-verb agreement, breaking down the core principles and tackling common challenges with practical examples. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to make your subjects and verbs dance in perfect harmony.
The Foundation: Singular Subjects, Singular Verbs; Plural Subjects, Plural Verbs
At its heart, subject-verb agreement is simple:
- A singular subject takes a singular verb.
- A plural subject takes a plural verb.
This might seem obvious, but it's where many mistakes begin, especially when subjects and verbs aren't immediately next to each other.
How to Identify Singular vs. Plural Verbs: For most verbs in the present tense:
- Singular verbs often end in 's' or 'es' when the subject is a third-person singular pronoun (he, she, it) or a singular noun.
He walks. The dog barks.
- Plural verbs usually do not end in 's' or 'es'.
They walk. The dogs bark.
The verb "to be" is an exception and irregular:
- Singular: I am, he/she/it is, you are (formal singular)
- Plural: we are, they are, you are
Examples:
- Correct: The cat sleeps on the mat. (Singular subject 'cat', singular verb 'sleeps')
- Incorrect: The cat sleep on the mat.
- Correct: The cats sleep on the mat. (Plural subject 'cats', plural verb 'sleep')
- Incorrect: The cats sleeps on the mat.
Common Pitfalls and Advanced Rules
While the basic rule is straightforward, several scenarios can complicate subject-verb agreement. Let's explore these in detail.
1. Intervening Phrases
One of the most common errors occurs when a phrase separates the subject from its verb. The verb must always agree with the actual subject, not with a noun in the intervening phrase.
Rule: Ignore phrases that come between the subject and the verb. These phrases often start with prepositions like of, in, with, along with, as well as, together with, including, excluding, besides, except.
Examples:
- Correct: The box of chocolates is missing. (Subject is 'box', not 'chocolates')
- Incorrect: The box of chocolates are missing.
- Correct: The students, along with their teacher, are going on a field trip. (Subject is 'students', not 'teacher')
- Incorrect: The students, along with their teacher, is going on a field trip.
- Correct: One of the solutions is to reduce waste. (Subject is 'one', not 'solutions')
2. Compound Subjects
When two or more subjects are joined, their agreement depends on the conjunction used.
A. Subjects Joined by "And"
Rule: Subjects joined by "and" usually take a plural verb.
Examples:
- John and Mary are going to the store.
- The dog and the cat were playing together.
Exceptions:
- When "and" connects two nouns that form a single unit or refer to the same person/thing, use a singular verb.
Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast. (Considered a single meal) The producer and director is accepting the award. (Refers to one person holding both roles)
B. Subjects Joined by "Or," "Nor," "Either...or," "Neither...nor"
Rule: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Examples:
- Neither the students nor the teacher is ready for the exam. (Verb agrees with 'teacher')
- Neither the teacher nor the students are ready for the exam. (Verb agrees with 'students')
- Either the manager or the employees need to address the issue. (Verb agrees with 'employees')
- Either the employees or the manager needs to address the issue. (Verb agrees with 'manager')
3. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people, places, or things. Their agreement can be tricky.
A. Always Singular Indefinite Pronouns
Rule: Pronouns ending in -one (anyone, everyone, someone, no one), -body (anybody, everybody, somebody, nobody), and -thing (anything, everything, something, nothing), along with each, either, neither, much, another, always take a singular verb.
Examples:
- Everyone is expected to attend the meeting.
- Each of the books is* valuable.
- Neither of the options seems* appealing.
- Something is wrong with this picture.
B. Always Plural Indefinite Pronouns
Rule: Both, few, many, several, always take a plural verb.
Examples:
- Both are excellent choices.
- Few know the true story.
- Many believe in the power of dreams.
C. Variable Indefinite Pronouns
Rule: All, any, most, none, some, can be singular or plural depending on the noun or pronoun they refer to (often found in a prepositional phrase following the pronoun).
Examples:
- Some of the water is gone. (Water is singular)
- Some of the students are absent. (Students are plural)
- All of the pie was eaten. (Pie is singular)
- All of the answers were correct. (Answers are plural)
- None of the information is useful. (Information is singular, uncountable)
- None of the employees are happy. (Employees are plural, countable)
4. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns (e.g., team, committee, family, group, audience, jury, staff) refer to a group of individuals.
Rule:
- Use a singular verb if the collective noun acts as a single, unified unit.
- Use a plural verb if the members of the group are acting individually or separately.
Examples:
- Singular: The team is celebrating its victory. (The team acts as one unit)
- Plural: The team are arguing among themselves about the strategy. (The individuals within the team are acting separately)
- Singular: The committee has submitted its report.
- Plural: The committee have disagreed on several points.
5. Titles, Names, and Words as Words
Rule: Titles of books, movies, organizations, and words used as words (even if they appear plural) take a singular verb.
Examples:
- "The Grapes of Wrath" is a classic novel.
- United Airlines is offering a new route.
- Statistics is a challenging subject. (Referring to the academic discipline)
- Mumps is a contagious disease.
6. Amounts and Measurements
Rule: When referring to a quantity, amount, or measurement as a single unit, use a singular verb. If referring to individual items within that quantity, use a plural verb.
Examples:
- Ten miles is a long distance to run. (Ten miles considered as one unit of distance)
- Five dollars was enough to buy lunch. (Five dollars considered as one sum)
- Two-thirds of the pie has been eaten. (Two-thirds of a single pie)
- Two-thirds of the students have passed the exam. (Two-thirds of individual students)
7. Inverted Sentences and "There Is/Are"
In sentences where the subject follows the verb (e.g., questions, sentences starting with there is/are or here is/are), it's crucial to identify the true subject.
Rule: The verb agrees with the subject that comes after it.
Examples:
- Correct: There are many reasons for his decision. (Subject is 'reasons')
- Incorrect: There is many reasons for his decision.
- Correct: Here is the book you asked for. (Subject is 'book')
- Correct: Why is the manager late? (Subject is 'manager')
- Correct: Why are the employees unhappy? (Subject is 'employees')
8. Relative Pronouns (Who, Which, That)
When who, which, or that act as subjects, the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun (the antecedent) to which the relative pronoun refers.
Rule: Find the antecedent of the relative pronoun and make the verb agree with it.
Examples:
- He is one of the students who are going to the conference. (The antecedent of 'who' is 'students' - plural)
- He is the only one of the students who is going to the conference. (The antecedent of 'who' is 'one' - singular, because "only one" specifies a single person out of the group)
- The car that has a flat tire is mine. (The antecedent of 'that' is 'car' - singular)
- The cars that have flat tires are mine. (The antecedent of 'that' is 'cars' - plural)
9. Gerunds and Infinitives as Subjects
Rule: When a gerund (verb ending in -ing used as a noun) or an infinitive (to + verb) acts as the subject of a sentence, it always takes a singular verb.
Examples:
- Swimming is a great exercise.
- To err is human.
- Walking and jogging are good for your heart. (Here, two gerunds joined by 'and' act as a compound plural subject).
10. Fractions and Percentages
Rule: The verb agrees with the object of the preposition of.
Examples:
- Fifty percent of the population lives in urban areas. (Population is singular)
- Fifty percent of the students live in urban areas. (Students are plural)
- One-third of the cake was eaten. (Cake is singular)
- One-third of the apples were rotten. (Apples are plural)
11. Linking Verbs
Rule: A linking verb (like is, are, was, were, seems, appears) always agrees with its subject, not with the predicate nominative (the noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject).
Examples:
- Correct: My favorite dessert is cookies. (Subject 'dessert' is singular, verb 'is' is singular. 'Cookies' is plural but doesn't affect the verb.)
- Incorrect: My favorite dessert are cookies.
- Correct: Cookies are my favorite dessert. (Subject 'cookies' is plural, verb 'are' is plural.)
Why Subject-Verb Agreement Matters
Mastering these rules isn't just about passing a grammar test; it's about clarity, professionalism, and credibility.
- Clarity: Correct agreement ensures your sentences are easy to understand and free from ambiguity. Readers don't have to pause and mentally correct your grammar.
- Professionalism: In academic, professional, and formal contexts, grammatical errors can detract from your message and make you appear less competent or careful.
- Credibility: When your writing is consistently grammatically sound, it builds trust and enhances your authority on the subject matter.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is a cornerstone of effective writing. While the basic rule is simple, the nuances introduced by intervening phrases, compound subjects, indefinite pronouns, and other special cases require careful attention. By understanding and consistently applying these rules, you can elevate the quality and impact of your communication.
Practice is key. Review your writing with these rules in mind, and don't hesitate to consult resources when unsure. If you ever find yourself needing an extra pair of eyes to ensure perfect grammatical accuracy and overall polish, platforms like Humanize offer professional writing and editing services to help you refine your work and achieve impeccable results. With dedication and the right tools, you'll master subject-verb agreement and write with confidence and precision.