Subject-Verb Agreement

Front

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Back

Subject-Verb Agreement is the grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its verb.

Front

When do you use a singular verb?

Back

A singular verb is used when the subject is singular (one person or thing). For example, 'The cat runs.'

Front

When do you use a plural verb?

Back

A plural verb is used when the subject is plural (more than one person or thing). For example, 'The cats run.'

Front

What is the rule for compound subjects joined by 'and'?

Back

When two subjects are joined by 'and', they typically take a plural verb. For example, 'Derek and Renee bring their bags.'

Front

What is the rule for subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor'?

Back

When subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, 'Either the cat or the dogs run.'

Front

What is a collective noun?

Back

A collective noun refers to a group of individuals or things as a single unit. For example, 'The team wins.' (singular verb) or 'The teams win.' (plural verb).

Front

How does the presence of phrases affect subject-verb agreement?

Back

Phrases that come between the subject and verb do not affect the agreement. For example, 'The bouquet of flowers smells sweet.' (singular subject and verb).

Front

What is an example of a subject that is always singular?

Back

The word 'everyone' is always singular, so it takes a singular verb. For example, 'Everyone loves pizza.'

Front

What is an example of a subject that is always plural?

Back

The word 'scissors' is always plural, so it takes a plural verb. For example, 'The scissors are on the table.'

Front

What is the rule for indefinite pronouns?

Back

Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone', 'somebody', and 'each' are usually singular and take singular verbs. For example, 'Each of the students has a book.'