Subject Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is the correspondence between verb (verb) with sentence subject in terms of number (singular or plural).

The rules :

1.     Subjects and verbs must agree in number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms the background of the concept.

Example :

a.     The boy eats meat

This sentence is singular because the boy is only 1, so the verb combine with s/ES.

b.     The boys eat meat

This sentence is plural because the boy is more than 1, so the verb is’nt adding s/es.

2.     Two singular subjects connected by or/nor/neither require a singular verb.

Example :

a.      My Uncle or my aunt is visiting my house.

b.     Neither Daru nor Tiara does not want to play with me.

*In the two sentences above even though there are two subjects, but do not include are and do. Because the sentence is connected by "or or nor or neither" which means the subject is only one.

3.     If one of the words "each," "every," or "no" comes before the subject, the verb is singular.

Example : Each of the boys runs quickly

*Although the sentence above uses the phrase the boys, it still involves runs (singular verb) as a verb. Because there are each, which means each, every, and each. So the subject is singular.

4.     The indefinite pronouns anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody are always singular and, therefore, require singular verbs.

Example : Everybody wants to be loved

*It still involves wants (singular verb) as a verb. Because there are everybody. So the subject is singular.

5.     Some indefinite pronouns - such as all, some - are singular or plural depending on what they're referring to. (Is the thing referred to countable or not?) Be careful choosing a verb to accompany such pronouns.

Example : All part of the cake has been eaten by my sister.

* the above sentence uses has (singular verb) because the preposition object is the cake (singular form).

6.     The verb is singular for units of measurement of time

Example : Ten minutes is not enough time

7.     Titles of books, movies, novels, and other similar works are treated as singular and take a singular verb

Example : Five feet apart is a movie starring cole sprouse

8.     In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.

Example :

a.      There is a good reason for that deadline.

b.     There are good reasons for that deadline. 

9.     Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc. These words and phrases are not part of the subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular

Example : The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly

10. Subordinate clauses that come between the subject and verb don't affect their agreement

Example : The boy, who is wearing a glasses,  is  so cool

11. Collective Nouns (group, jury, crowd, team, etc.) may be singular or plural, depending on meaning.

Example :

a.      The majority of our city council members are Republicans.

b.     The majority always rules.