assignment for subject verb agreement

Applied Grammar by Gail Brubaker

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples

Clear communication hinges on proper grammar, and subject-verb agreement stands as one of its fundamental pillars. This grammatical principle ensures that the subject of a sentence aligns perfectly with its corresponding verb in number, creating harmony and clarity in written expression.

Introduction

Subject-verb agreement forms the backbone of grammatically correct English, requiring subjects and verbs to match in number – singular subjects pair with singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs. This seemingly simple rule becomes the foundation for clear, professional communication across all forms of writing.In today’s fast-paced communication landscape, mastering subject-verb agreement can significantly impact your credibility as a writer, whether in academic papers, business correspondence, or casual writing. When subjects and verbs align correctly, readers can effortlessly grasp your intended meaning, making your writing more effective and persuasive.

Basic Rules and Examples

Singular and plural subject forms.

The fundamental principle of subject-verb agreement follows a straightforward pattern. A singular subject requires a singular verb form, while a plural subject takes a plural verb form. Consider these examples:

• The cat runs swiftly
• The cats run swiftly

Present Tense Agreement

In present tense constructions, third-person singular subjects require verbs with an -s ending, while all other forms use the base verb form. For instance:

Compound Subjects with “and”

When two or more subjects connect with “and,” they form a plural subject requiring a plural verb. For example:

• My brother and sister are going to the concert
• The book and the pen are on the desk

Either/Or and Neither/Nor Situations

With either/or and neither/nor constructions, the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. This creates a unique pattern where the placement of subjects can affect verb choice:

• Either the teacher or the students have finished their work
• Neither the students nor the teacher has completed the assignment

This first section establishes the foundational concepts of subject-verb agreement, setting the stage for more complex applications and exceptions that will follow. The rules presented here serve as building blocks for understanding more intricate grammatical patterns and ensuring consistently accurate writing.

Common Challenges

Intervening Phrases

One of the most common challenges in subject-verb agreement occurs when phrases come between the subject and verb. These intervening phrases can create confusion about which word is actually the subject. The key is to identify the main subject by mentally removing the intervening phrase:

“The box of chocolates is on the table.” (Box is singular, so we use “is”) “The collection of rare coins has been authenticated.” (Collection is singular)

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns present unique challenges in subject-verb agreement. Some are always singular, others are always plural, and a few can be either depending on context:

Always Singular:

Always Plural:

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns represent groups but are typically treated as singular entities in American English. However, the treatment can vary based on whether you’re emphasizing the group as a unit or its individual members:

“The team is practicing for the championship.” (group acting as one unit) “The faculty are divided on this issue.” (members acting individually)

Distance and Time Expressions

When dealing with expressions of time, money, or measurement, treat them as singular units even if the numbers appear plural:

“Ten dollars is too much for that book.” “Five miles is a long distance to walk.” “Two hours seems like a long wait.”

Pro Tip: When in doubt about collective nouns, consider whether the group is acting as a single unit (singular verb) or as individuals (plural verb).

Special Cases

Gerunds and infinitives.

Gerunds (verbs ending in -ing used as nouns) are always singular and take singular verbs:

“Running is my favorite exercise.” “Reading mystery novels helps improve critical thinking.”

Infinitives (to + verb) also function as singular subjects:

“To succeed requires dedication and hard work.” “To practice regularly is essential for improvement.”

This section addresses some of the most challenging aspects of subject-verb agreement, providing clear guidelines for navigating complex grammatical situations. Understanding these special cases helps writers maintain consistency and accuracy in their writing, regardless of the sentence structure’s complexity.

Complex Sentence Structures

Multiple subject components.

Complex sentences with multiple subject components require careful attention to maintain proper agreement. The key lies in identifying the true subject among various elements:

“The CEO, along with her executive team, is attending the conference.” “The paintings, as well as the sculpture, belongs to the museum.”

In these cases, phrases beginning with “along with,” “as well as,” “in addition to,” or “together with” don’t create compound subjects. The verb agrees with the main subject only.

Inverted Sentences

When sentences begin with “there” or “here,” the true subject follows the verb. Look past the introductory word to find the actual subject:

“There are three books on the shelf.” “Here comes the parade.”

Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate clauses can complicate subject-verb agreement, especially in sentences with relative pronouns (who, which, that):

“She is one of those teachers who make learning fun.” “This is the only one of the paintings that is still available.”

Professional Writing Considerations

Academic writing examples.

Academic writing demands precise subject-verb agreement. Common academic contexts include:

“The data suggest that further research is needed.” “Each of the experiments was conducted under controlled conditions.”

Business Communication

In professional correspondence, proper subject-verb agreement conveys competence and attention to detail:

“The quarterly reports indicate a positive trend.” “Neither the marketing team nor the sales department has submitted their budget.”

Technical Documentation

Technical writing requires exceptional clarity and precision in subject-verb agreement:

“The software updates automatically when new versions are available.” “Each module requires separate testing and validation.”

Pro Tip: In technical writing, be especially careful with collective nouns related to systems and processes. Treat them as singular unless specifically referring to multiple distinct units.

This section explores more sophisticated applications of subject-verb agreement rules, particularly relevant for professional and academic contexts. Understanding these nuances helps writers maintain grammatical accuracy in complex documents and formal communications.

Troubleshooting Guide

Common mistakes.

Understanding frequent errors in subject-verb agreement helps writers avoid these pitfalls:

Compound Subject Confusion “Neither the students nor the teacher was present.” (correct) “Neither the students nor the teacher were present.” (incorrect)

Indefinite Pronoun Errors “Everyone has submitted their assignments.” (correct) “Everyone have submitted their assignments.” (incorrect)

Correction Strategies

Follow these systematic approaches to identify and correct agreement errors:

• Identify the true subject by removing modifying phrases
• Determine if the subject is singular or plural
• Match the verb form accordingly
• Double-check special cases and exceptions

Self-Check Methods

Implement these reliable techniques to verify subject-verb agreement:

• Read sentences aloud
• Circle subjects and verbs to verify their relationship
• Break complex sentences into simpler components

Practical Resources

Quick reference tools.

Keep these essential guidelines handy for quick reference:

Basic Agreement Checklist:

• Singular subject → singular verb
• Plural subject → plural verb
• Compound subjects with “and” → plural verb
• Either/or subjects → verb agrees with closer subject

Common Exceptions Summary:

• Collective nouns (context-dependent)
• Measurements (treated as singular)
• Titles (always singular)

Practice Exercises

Try these examples to reinforce your understanding:

Fill in the correct verb form:

• The quality of these products _ (vary/varies)
• Neither of the options _ (is/are) acceptable
• The team _ (has/have) won their matches

Pro Tip: Create a personal list of challenging cases you encounter in your writing. Review and practice these regularly to strengthen your grasp of subject-verb agreement.

This section provides practical tools and exercises for mastering subject-verb agreement, emphasizing both error prevention and correction strategies. Regular practice with these resources helps develop a natural sense for proper agreement in various writing contexts.

FAQ Section

Common questions.

Q: When should I use “none is” versus “none are”? A: “None” can take either a singular or plural verb, depending on the intended meaning. Use “is” when emphasizing “not one,” and “are” when referring to “not any.”

Q: How do I handle titles of works? A: Titles of works, regardless of their internal structure, always take singular verbs. “The Great Expectations is a classic novel.”

Q: What about fractions and percentages? A: The verb agreement depends on the noun that follows the fraction or percentage. “Half of the cake is gone.” “Half of the students are present.”

Special Constructions:

• “One of the…” always takes a singular verb
• “The number of…” is singular
• “A number of…” is plural

Special Situations

Mathematics and Statistics: Two plus two equals four Statistics is a challenging subject

Time Periods: Ten years is a long time Five minutes is all I need

Interactive Learning Elements

To reinforce your understanding, try these practical applications:

Quick Self-Assessment:

• Identify the correct verb form in complex sentences
• Practice with mixed subject types
• Review special cases and exceptions

Practice Worksheet: Create sentences using:

• Collective nouns
• Indefinite pronouns
• Distance and time expressions

Error Correction Exercises: Find and correct agreement errors in sample texts:

• Business emails
• Academic papers
• Technical documentation

This final section addresses specific concerns and provides interactive elements for practical application. Regular practice with these exercises helps develop mastery of subject-verb agreement across all writing contexts.

Remember that mastering subject-verb agreement is an ongoing process. Keep these resources handy and regularly review challenging cases to maintain grammatical accuracy in your writing.

Final Pro Tip: When in doubt, simplify the sentence structure to clarify the relationship between subject and verb. Complex sentences can always be broken down into simpler components for easier agreement checking.

Appendix: Additional Resources and Tools

Quick reference guide, subject-verb agreement cheat sheet, digital tools and resources.

Grammar Checkers:

• ProWritingAid
• Hemingway Editor

Practice Platforms:

• Khan Academy Grammar Exercises
• Purdue OWL Writing Lab
• English Grammar Exercises Online

Style Guide Integration

For academic writing.

• Follow specific style guide requirements (APA, MLA, Chicago)
• Maintain consistency in technical terms
• Use appropriate academic tone

For Business Writing

• Emphasize clarity and precision
• Follow company style guidelines
• Maintain professional tone

Downloadable Resources

Practice Materials:

• Subject-verb agreement worksheet
• Common mistakes checklist
• Self-assessment quiz

This appendix provides supplementary materials and resources for continued learning and reference. Use these tools to reinforce your understanding and maintain consistency in your writing practice.

For additional resources and practice exercises, visit:

• practice subject-verb agreement
• learn English grammar rules

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Purdue OWL® Exercises Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Exercise : Subject and Verb Agreement Exercise

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Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.

1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.

2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.

3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.

4. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor.

5. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie.

6. Benito (doesn't, don't) know the answer.

7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.

8. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.

9. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to watch.

10. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.

11. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.

12. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.

13. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.

14. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?

15. Mathematics (is, are) John's favorite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andrea's favorite subject.

16. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.

17. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?

18. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's.

19. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!

20. The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully.

21. The committee members (leads, lead) very different lives in private.

22. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets, greet) the press cordially.

23. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Explanation, Examples, and Practice Exercises

Understanding subject-verb agreement is essential for mastering English grammar. Subject-verb agreement refers to the concept that the verb in a sentence must agree in number with the subject. In other words, singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of subject-verb agreement rules, along with clear examples and 25 practice exercises to help you solidify your understanding. By the end of this article, you will have a strong foundation in subject-verb agreement and be better prepared to communicate effectively in English.

Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs.

• A cat sleeps on the couch. (singular subject and verb)
• Cats sleep on the couch. (plural subject and verb)

When two subjects are connected by “and,” use a plural verb.

• Sally and Tom are friends. (two subjects joined by “and,” plural verb)
• Apples and oranges are fruits. (two plural subjects joined by “and,” plural verb)

If a compound subject with “and” sounds singular, use a singular verb.

• Peanut butter and jelly is a popular sandwich. (compound subject sounds singular, singular verb)
• Spaghetti and meatballs is a delicious dish. (compound subject sounds singular, singular verb)

The verb should agree with the main subject, not the nearest subject.

• The group of students is going on a field trip. (main subject: group, singular verb)
• The list of items is on the table. (main subject: list, singular verb)

When subjects are connected by phrases like “as well as,” “along with,” “with,” “together with,” or “in addition to,” the verb should agree with the first subject.

• The teacher, along with the students, is attending the workshop. (main subject: teacher, singular verb)
• The books, in addition to the magazines, are on the shelf. (main subject: books, plural verb)

When subjects are connected by “either-or,” “neither-nor,” “not only – but also,” or “or,” the verb should agree with the nearest subject.

• Either the teacher or the students are responsible. (nearest subject: students, plural verb)
• Neither the students nor the teacher is available. (nearest subject: teacher, singular verb)

Singular verbs are used with “either,” “neither,” “none,” “everyone,” “someone,” “anyone,” “many a,” “more than one.”

• None of the books is interesting. (singular verb)
• Everyone in the class has completed the assignment. (singular verb)
• Many a person has faced this challenge. (singular verb)

Subject-Verb Agreement Practice Exercises:

• The baby (sleeps/sleep) peacefully.
• The team (celebrates/celebrate) after winning the game.
• Many cars (is/are) parked outside.
• Neither the book nor the magazine (is/are) mine.
• The cake, along with the cookies, (was/were) delicious.
• Each of the students (has/have) a different opinion.
• The sun (shines/shine) brightly today.
• The staff (works/work) efficiently.
• My family (is/are) going on a trip.
• The committee (has/have) reached a decision.
• The box of chocolates (is/are) on the table.
• All the computers in the lab (is/are) new.
• The bouquet of flowers (looks/look) beautiful.
• Some of the apples (is/are) rotten.
• The dog and the cat (is/are) playing together.
• Neither the cat nor the dog (chases/chase) the mouse.
• The teacher, together with her students, (is/are) going on a field trip.
• A pack of wolves (prowls/prowl) in the forest.
• The audience (claps/clap) after the performance.
• The orchestra (plays/play) a symphony.
• Several cats (lives/live) in the neighborhood.
• Every one of the players (tries/try) their best.
• The crowd (cheers/cheer) for their team.
• The series of events (leads/lead) to surprising conclusions.
• A flock of birds (flies/fly) across the sky.

Subject-Verb Agreement Practice Exercises: Answers

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