All you need to know about subject verb agreement
written by Adeel Abbas
There are some important rules about the subject-verb agreement that every student needs to know about. In this article, you will learn about the important rules of subject-verb agreement.
1: Use a single verb with a single subject.
“Saadia doesn’t like to work.” Don’t would be wrong in this sentence. Do not say he don’t, she don’t, it don’t, because these are contractions of he do not, she do not, it do not.
“Each of the boys is capable in his own way.” Each is singular.
“Neither Asad nor Ali is eligible.” When the two parts of the subject are joined by nor, or, but, the verb agrees in number with the noun or pronoun nearest to it.
“Every member of the committee agrees to the proposal.”
“Shahid, together with his companion, is here,” Shahid, alone, is the subject of this sentence.
2: Use a plural verb with a plural subject.
“There are several varieties of apples in the basket.”
Varieties is the subject of are. “Applause and flattery are the breath of his existence.” A compound subject. I.e. two words joined by and require a plural verb unless the two words designate the same person or thing, as in the sentence. “His guide and protector is Mr. Shahid.”
3: Collective nouns (words like group, crowd, committee, choir, faculty, and congress) may take either a singular or plural verb according to the meaning intended.
“The company has been ordered to the coast. Company is here thought of as a unit. “The company is not all willing to take the risk.” Here the company is considered as plural because several individuals are meant.
FAQS
What is an example of subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement refers to the use of the correct form of a verb to describe a subject. For example, the sentence “I am a student” describes the subject as being a student. However, if you were to say “You are a student”, it would be incorrect.
What are the 4 rules on the subject-verb agreement?
When it comes to a verb-noun agreement, you should follow these four simple rules:
1. Use the subject in the singular form when it refers to a single person, object, or action. For example, “I love pizza.”
2. Use the subject in the plural form when it refers to a group of people, objects, or actions. For example, “We love pizza.”
3. Use the singular form for nouns beginning with a vowel, and the plural form for nouns beginning with a consonant.
4. Use the same form for verbs in the active and passive voice.
