Subject–Verb Agreement
2.4 Subject–Verb Agreement
Subject–verb agreement refers to the proper matching of subjects and verbs in sentences. The basic rule is that singular subjects take singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs.
Basic Examples
The manager approves. (singular)
The managers approve. (plural)
He writes. (singular)
They write. (plural)
However, certain situations make subject–verb agreement more complicated.
1. Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to groups as a single unit, such as crowd, team, and jury. They can take a singular or plural verb depending on the meaning.
Examples:
The team is playing tonight. (singular – emphasizes the group)
The team are fighting among themselves. (plural – emphasizes the individuals)
2. Nouns Ending in -s
Some nouns ending in -s are singular, such as math and physics. Others are plural, such as finances and tactics.
Examples:
Math is difficult.
His finances are in order.
Therefore, a noun ending in -s is not necessarily plural.
3. Indefinite Pronouns
Pronouns such as each, none, either, and everyone generally take singular verbs.
Examples:
Each of the books is special.
Everyone has done their homework.
Although everyone is grammatically singular, their may be used when referring to people without specifying gender.
4. There / Here Constructions
Sentences beginning with there or here require careful attention to the actual subject.
Examples:
There is a car approaching.
Here is the document you requested.
With plural subjects:
There are two bottles left in the case.
The verb should agree with the actual subject, not simply with the word immediately following there or here.
5. Intervening Phrases
Words or phrases that come between the subject and the verb do not change subject–verb agreement.
Example:
The students, as well as the teacher, were late.
The real subject is students, so the plural verb were is used.
6. Compound Subjects with “And”
When two or more subjects are joined by and, they normally take a plural verb.
Example:
Bread and butter are my favourite foods.
7. Compound Subjects with “Or” / “Nor”
When two subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb generally agrees with the nearest subject.
Examples:
Either the bowl or the plates go in this cupboard.
Neither the kids nor their mother comes here every day.
Trouble Spots in Subject–Verb Agreement
1. Do Not Be Misled by Phrases Between the Subject and Verb
Consider:
❌ The bouquet of roses smell sweet.
The real subject is bouquet, not roses.
Therefore:
✅ The bouquet of roses smells sweet.
2. Distances, Sums of Money and Periods of Time
Expressions referring to a single amount of distance, money, or time generally take a singular verb.
Example:
Five kilometres is too far to walk.
The distance is considered as one complete amount.
3. The Phrase “One of”
With one of, remember that the noun following of is plural, and when a relative clause refers to that plural noun, the verb is plural.
❌ He is one of the men who works hard.
✅ He is one of the men who work hard.
4. Either / Neither
With either/neither + or/nor, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
❌ Neither the students nor the teacher are present.
✅ Neither the students nor the teacher is present.
Tips for Subject–Verb Agreement
Keep the following points in mind:
Identify the real subject and choose the verb accordingly.
Ignore intervening words and phrases that come between the subject and verb.
With compound subjects joined by and, use a plural verb.
With compound subjects joined by or/nor, make the verb agree with the nearest subject.
Expressions of quantity, time, money, and distance generally take singular verbs when treated as one unit.
For sentences beginning with there or here, identify the real subject.
Be careful with the phrase one of.
Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs depending on meaning.
Be careful with irregular plural nouns such as criteria, data, and media, as their usage requires attention to context and convention.
When in doubt, identify the real subject and base your decision on it.
Mastering subject–verb agreement takes practice. When you identify the real subject and understand the relationship between the subject and the verb, correct agreement becomes much easier.
Proper subject–verb agreement is essential for clear and grammatically correct writing.
Exercises for Subject–Verb Agreement
Identify whether the underlined verbs in the following sentences are correct or incorrect.
The gaggle of geese honks loudly at dawn.
The pile of books seem ready to topple over.
Neither the students nor the teacher is present today.
Each of the samples show distinct properties.
There is two more bottles left in the case.
The committee disagree on the final recommendations.
The data suggests a strong correlation between sleep and heart health.
Ten miles seems too far to walk for me.
One of the students have brought lunch from home.
Here’s the final piece of evidence that prove his guilt.
Answers
Correct
The gaggle of geese honks loudly at dawn.Incorrect
Pile is the subject, so the verb should be seems.Correct
The verb agrees wi
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