Subject verb agreement is an essential rule of English grammar that requires the subject and the verb in a sentence to match in number and person. A singular subject must take a singular verb, while a plural subject must take a plural verb. This agreement helps sentences sound natural and ensures that the meaning is clear to the reader or listener.
Importance of Subject Verb Agreement
Using correct subject verb agreement improves the quality of writing and speaking. It makes communication easier to understand, prevents grammatical errors, and gives a more professional impression in academic and formal contexts. Even simple mistakes in agreement can make a sentence sound incorrect.
Incorrect
She go to school every day.
Correct
She goes to school every day.
The Basic Principle
The main idea behind subject verb agreement is very straightforward.
A singular subject uses a singular verb.
A plural subject uses a plural verb.
Examples
The child plays in the garden.
The children play in the garden.
My brother works here.
My brothers work here.
How Verb Forms Change
In the present tense, verbs often change form depending on the subject. With pronouns like I, you, we, and they, the base form of the verb is used. With he, she, or it, an s or es is usually added.
Examples
They write letters.
She writes letters.
Understanding this pattern also helps learners apply agreement correctly when studying advanced structures such as the Future Perfect Tense.
Common Rules of Subject Verb Agreement
Singular Subjects
A singular subject always takes a singular verb.
The dog runs fast.
Sara enjoys reading.
Plural Subjects
A plural subject takes a plural verb.
The dogs run fast.
The students enjoy reading.
Subjects Connected by And
When two subjects are joined by and, the verb is usually plural.
Ali and Ahmed are playing.
Books and notebooks are on the table.
If the subjects express one combined idea, the verb becomes singular.
Bread and butter is my usual breakfast.
Subjects Connected by Or or Nor
The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Either the manager or the employees are responsible.
Either the employees or the manager is responsible.
Indefinite Pronouns
Words such as everyone, someone, each, and nobody are singular and require singular verbs.
Everyone wants success.
Each student has a laptop.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns like team, class, or family are generally treated as singular because they refer to one unit.
The team is practicing today.
The family lives nearby.
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns always take singular verbs because they cannot be counted individually.
Information is important.
Milk is nutritious.
Subject Verb Agreement in Different Situations
Subject verb agreement is applied in all kinds of sentences, whether we describe routine actions or past events. For instance, when learning Past Continuous Tense, students often focus on actions in progress in the past, but they must still ensure that the subject matches the helping verb correctly.
Sentences Beginning With There or Here
In these sentences, the verb agrees with the subject that follows it.
There is a problem.
There are many problems.
Measurements and Amounts
When time, distance, or money is considered as one unit, a singular verb is used.
Ten miles is a long distance.
Five hundred rupees is enough.
Frequent Errors to Avoid
Writers sometimes mistake words near the verb as the subject. Always focus on the main subject of the sentence.
Incorrect
The box of apples are heavy.
Correct
The box of apples is heavy.
Another common error is assuming that nouns ending in s are always plural.
Incorrect
Economics are difficult.
Correct
Economics is difficult.
A Simple Way to Check Agreement
To ensure correct agreement, first identify the subject, then decide whether it is singular or plural, and finally choose a verb that matches it. Ignoring extra phrases between the subject and verb can help avoid confusion.
Practice Examples
The teacher explains the lesson clearly.
The teachers explain the lesson clearly.
Someone is calling you.
Many people are waiting outside.
There is a solution.
There are several solutions.
Conclusion
Subject verb agreement is a fundamental part of English that ensures sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand. By learning to match subjects and verbs accurately, students can strengthen both their writing and speaking skills. Regular practice of these rules makes correct agreement feel natural over time.
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