Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

In English grammar, the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, it is important to make sure that your subjects and verbs agree in number.

Singular Subjects

Singular subjects take singular verbs. For example:

• The boy runs to the store.
• The girl eats an apple.
• The dog barks at the cat.

Plural Subjects

Plural subjects take plural verbs. For example:

• The boys run to the store.
• The girls eat apples.
• The dogs bark at the cat.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are a few exceptions to the rule of subject-verb agreement. These exceptions include:

• Collective nouns: Collective nouns such as “team,” “group,” and “family” can take either singular or plural verbs. For example:

  • The team is playing well.
  • The team are all tired.

• Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns such as “everyone,” “nobody,” and “someone” can take either singular or plural verbs. For example:

  • Everyone is here.
  • Everyone are happy.

• Verbs that are always plural: Some verbs, such as “have” and “be,” are always plural. For example:

  • The children have a lot of toys.
  • The children are playing outside.

Subject-verb agreement is an important part of English grammar. By following the rules and exceptions outlined above, you can make sure that your sentences are grammatically correct.

English Grammar Subject Verb Agreement FAQs

What is subject-verb agreement?

Subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Why is subject-verb agreement important?

Subject-verb agreement is important because it helps to make sentences clear and easy to understand. When the verb agrees with the subject, it is clear who or what is doing the action.

What are some common subject-verb agreement errors?

Some common subject-verb agreement errors include:

• Using a singular verb with a plural subject
• Using a plural verb with a singular subject
• Using the wrong form of the verb to be

How can I avoid subject-verb agreement errors?

There are a few things you can do to avoid subject-verb agreement errors:

• Pay attention to the number of the subject. Is it singular or plural?
• Choose the correct form of the verb. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. If the subject is plural, use a plural verb.
• Be careful with the verb to be. The verb to be has different forms for singular and plural subjects.

Subject-Verb Agreement Practice Exercises

Here are a few practice exercises to help you improve your subject-verb agreement skills:

Exercise 1: Identify the subject and verb in each sentence. Then, determine whether the verb agrees with the subject.

1. The cat sleeps on the bed.
2. The dogs bark at the mailman.
3. The book is on the table.
4. The flowers are in the vase.
5. The children play in the park.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences so that the verb agrees with the subject.

1. The cat sleep on the bed.
2. The dogs barked at the mailman.
3. The book was on the table.
4. The flower is in the vase.
5. The child plays in the park.