Subject-Verb Agreement Examples:

My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.

Being able to find the right subject and verb will help you correct Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.
errors of subject-verb agreement.
Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.

Basic Rule. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, Rule 3. The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees
goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb. with the noun or pronoun closest to it.

Example: The list of items is/are on the desk. Examples:

If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.
verb. Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.

Rule 1. A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. This is
This rule can lead to bumps in the road. For example, if I is one of two
a key rule for understanding subjects. The word of is the culprit in (or more) subjects, it could lead to this odd sentence:
many, perhaps most, subject-verb mistakes.

Awkward: Neither she, my friends, nor I am going to the festival.

Hasty writers, speakers, readers, and listeners might miss the all-too-
common mistake in the following sentence: If possible, it's best to reword such grammatically correct but awkward
sentences.
Incorrect: A bouquet of yellow roses lend color and fragrance to
the room. Better:
Neither she, I, nor my friends are going to the festival.
Correct: A bouquet of yellow roses lends . . . (bouquet lends, OR
not roses lend) She, my friends, and I are not going to the festival.

Rule 2. Two singular subjects connected by or, Rule 4. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects
either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb. when they are connected by and.
 Example: A car and a bike are my means of transportation. Examples:
There are four hurdles to jump.
But note these exceptions: There is a high hurdle to jump.
Here are the keys.
Exceptions:
Breaking and entering is against the law. NOTE:

The bed and breakfast was charming.

The word there's, a contraction of there is, leads to bad habits in

In those sentences, breaking and entering and bed and breakfast are informal sentences like There's a lot of people here today, because

compound nouns. it's easier to say "there's" than "there are." Take care never to
use there's with a plural subject.
Rule 5a. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such
Rule 7. Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of
words as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc. These words and
money, etc., when considered as a unit.
phrases are not part of the subject. Ignore them and use a singular
verb when the subject is singular.
Examples:
Three miles is too far to walk.
Examples:
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.
BUT

Rule 5b. Parentheses are not part of the subject. Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor.

Rule 8. With words that indicate portions—e.g., a lot, a majority,

Example: Joe (and his trusty mutt) was always welcome.
some, all—Rule 1 given earlier in this section is reversed, and we are
guided by the noun after of. If the noun after of is singular, use a
If this seems awkward, try rewriting the sentence.
singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.

Rule 6. In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject

follows the verb. Examples:
A lot of the pie has disappeared.
 A lot of the pies have disappeared.
A third of the city is unemployed.
A third of the people are unemployed.
All of the pie is gone.
All of the pies are gone.
Some of the pie is missing.
Some of the pies are missing.
NOTE
In recent years, the SAT testing service has considered none to be
strictly singular. However, according to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
of English Usage: "Clearly none has been both singular and plural
since Old English and still is. The notion that it is singular only is a
myth of unknown origin that appears to have arisen in the 19th
century. If in context it seems like a singular to you, use a singular
verb; if it seems like a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable
beyond serious criticism." When none is clearly intended to mean "not
one," it is followed by a singular verb.
Rule 9. With collective nouns such
as group, jury, family, audience, population, the verb might be singular
or plural, depending on the writer's intent.
Examples:
All of my family has arrived OR have arrived.
Most of the jury is here OR are here.
A third of the population was not in favor OR were not in favor of
the bill.
NOTE
Anyone who uses a plural verb with a collective noun must take care
to be accurate—and also consistent. It must not be done carelessly.
The following is the sort of flawed sentence one sees and hears a lot
these days:
The staff is deciding how they want to vote.
Careful speakers and writers would avoid assigning the
singular is and the plural they to staff in the same sentence.
Consistent: The staff are deciding how they want to vote.
Rewriting such sentences is recommended whenever possible. The
preceding sentence would read even better as:
The staff members are deciding how they want to vote.
Rule 10. The word were replaces was in sentences that express a
wish or are contrary to fact:
Example: If Joe were here, you'd be sorry.
Shouldn't Joe be followed by was, not were, given that Joe is
singular? But Joe isn't actually here, so we say were, not was. The
 5. They (worry, worries) too much.
sentence demonstrates the subjunctive mood, which is used to
6. She (study, studies) every night.
express things that are hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or factually 7. Black or white (is, are) your choice.
contradictory. The subjunctive mood pairs singular subjects with what 8. That (was, were) incredible.
9. Those (is, are) pretty shoes.
we usually think of as plural verbs. 10. The cat or dog (is, are) in the yard.
B. Directions: Put a C if the sentence is correct, an X if it is not correct.

Examples: 1. ___ They have been waiting a long time.

2. ___ The pen or the pencil are lost.
I wish it were Friday. 3. ___ Someone don't understand.
She requested that he raise his hand. 4. ___ Those has been cheaper in the past.
5. ___ Randy and Juan like sports.
6. ___ These are really special.
In the first example, a wishful statement, not a fact, is being 7. ___ You rides with me.
8. ___ All of them goes to school.
expressed; therefore, were, which we usually think of as a plural verb,
9. ___ Tony likes Mary.
is used with the singular it. (Technically, it is the singular subject of the 10. ___ That movie was awesome.
object clause in the subjunctive mood: it were Friday.) Answers:
A.
Normally, he raise would sound terrible to us. However, in the second 1. Sally (run, runs) to the park every day.
example, where a request is being expressed, the subjunctive mood 2. The dogs (bark, barks,) at strangers.
3. Ted and Mary (is, are) going to the movies.
is correct. 4. The game (was, were) exciting.
5. They (worry, worries) too much.
6. She (study, studies) every night.
Note: The subjunctive mood is losing ground in spoken English but
7. Black or white (is, are) your choice.
should still be used in formal speech and writing. 8. That (was, were) incredible.
9. Those (is, are) pretty shoes.
10. The cat or dog (is, are) in the yard.
ubject Verb Agreement: Quiz #1 B.
This quiz will cover simple subjects, compound subjects using "and" or 1. _C_ They have been waiting a long time.
"or" that connect singular subjects, and verbs that agree with them. 2. _X_ The pen or the pencil are lost.
A. Directions: Underline the correct verb in these sentences. 3. _X_ Someone don't understand.
4. _X_ Those has been cheaper in the past.
1. Sally (run, runs) to the park every day. 5. _C_ Randy and Juan like sports.
2. The dogs (bark, barks,) at strangers. 6. _C_ These are really special.
3. Ted and Mary (is, are) going to the movies. 7. _X_ You rides with me.
4. The game (was, were) exciting. 8. _X_ All children goes to school.
9. _C_ Tony likes Mary. 7. The committee (decide, decides) when to adjourn.
10. _C_ That movie was awesome. 8. Our team (is, are) the best.
9. Everybody (enjoy, enjoys) a good song.
Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #2 10. Either (is, are) suitable.
This quiz covers compound subjects with one singular and one plural B.
noun or pronoun, complex sentences, and special nouns that can be 1. _C_ Cats and dogs love to run.
confusing, like collective and nouns that end with an "s" that are singular. 2. _X_ He don't like chocolate.
A. Directions: Underline the correct verb in these sentences. 3. _X_ Her friends or Sarah excel at volleyball.
4. _X_ Each of these have been ruined.
1. The girl or her sisters (watch, watches) television every day. 5. _C_ Trousers are baggy now.
2. Rob (doesn't, don't) like sports. 6. _C_ The students, as well as the teacher, are nervous about the test.
3. His classmates (study, studies) before a test. 7. _X_ The news are on at 10.
4. One of the cookies (is, are) missing. 8. _X_ My family are a lot of fun.
5. A lady with 10 cats (live, lives) in that big house. 9. _C_ Mathematics is hard for many.
6. Mumps (is, are) very serious. 10. _C_ The director, with all the cast members, works very hard.

11. Advanced Subject

7. The committee (decide, decides) when to adjourn.
8. Our team (is, are) the best.
9. Everybody (enjoy, enjoys) a good song.
10. Either (is, are) suitable.
B. Directions: Put a C if the sentence is correct, an X if it is not correct. Verb Agreement +
1.
2.
___ Cats and dogs love to run.
___ He don't like chocolate. Exercises
3. ___ Her friends or Sarah excel at volleyball. 12.
4. ___ Each of these have been ruined. 13. Subjects and verbs need to agree!
5. ___ Trousers are baggy now. 14. Subject-verb agreement is one of the first things you learn
6. ___ The students, as well as the teacher, are nervous about the test. in English class:
7. ___ The news are on at 10. 15. “My friend is Japanese.” (singular)
8. ___ My family are a lot of fun. 16. “My friends are Japanese.” (plural)
9. ___ Mathematics is hard for many. 17. In this English lesson, you’re going to learn a few more
10. ___ The director, with all the cast members, works very hard. advanced cases of subject-verb agreement that confuse
Answers: many learners.
18. Free Download: 500+ English Phrases
A.
19. EVERYBODY / ANYBODY /
1. The girl or her sisters (watch, watches) television every day.
2. Rob (doesn't, don't) like sports. SOMEBODY / NOBODY
3. His classmates (study, studies) before a test. 20. EVERYONE / ANYONE /
4. One of the cookies (is, are) missing.
5. A lady with 10 cats (live, lives) in that big house. SOMEONE / NO ONE
6. Mumps (is, are) very serious.
21. These subjects are all singular!
22. “Everyone have problems.”
23. “Everyone has problems.”
24. “I don’t know if anybody is in the office right now.”
25. “How do you react if someone gives you a compliment?”
26. “Nobody likes the new English teacher.”
27. CLUB / TEAM / FAMILY / ARMY
28. These subjects are also singular, even though they are
talking about a group of people.
29. “My family is visiting me for the holidays.”
30. “The basketball team has a new coach.”
31. Note: In British English “family” and “team” are often plural.
32. POLICE
33. Usually, “police” is plural:
34. “The police are investigating the murder.”
35. “Police have arrested three suspects.”
36. To talk about an individual member of the police, we can
say policeman or policewoman – or the gender-neutral
term police officer.
37. PEOPLE / CHILDREN / MEN /
49. HALF OF / A THIRD OF / 40%
OF / SOME / MOST
50. These words can be singular OR plural depending on
what follows them!
51. “Half of the students are from another country.”
52. “Half of the class is from another country.”
53. “Some of these facts are incorrect.”
54. “Some of this information is incorrect.”
55. “40% of the people don’t support the new law.”
56. “40% of the country doesn’t support the new law.”
57. IS “DATA” SINGULAR OR
PLURAL?
58. There is a debate about the word “data”! Technically, data
is plural (the singular form is “datum”). However, in
common usage, people often treat “data” like
“information” – as an uncountable noun, which takes the
singular form. So both forms are correct: “The
data isaccurate” and “The data are accurate.” You can
read more about the “data debate” hereand here.

WOMEN / MICE / FEET

38. These words are irregular plural nouns (nouns that are
not formed by adding -s) and they take the plural form of
the verb:
39. “Our children are very well-behaved.”
40. “The people like the new president.”
41. “Men don’t usually enjoy shopping for clothes.”
42. “My feet are cold.”
43. BOTH OF / A FEW OF / MANY /
SEVERAL
44. These words always take the plural form of the verb:
45. “Both of my brothers are older than me.”
46. “A few of these products have defects.”
47. “Many of the houses in this neighborhood don’t have
garages.”
48. “Several of the students aren’t going to pass.”