What is subject–verb agreement?

Grammar Toolkit

Subject–verb agreement

Grammar Toolkit

Subject–verb agreement

A verb must “agree” with its subject. This means they must have matching number

(singular or plural) and person (1st, 2nd or 3rd person).

They is waiting

The subject is plural and in the third person (talking about someone or something), so the

verb must also be plural and in the third person.

am waitingare waiting

Grammar Toolkit

Subject–verb agreement

It’s usually easy to make subjects and verbs agree, but the verb to be can be tricky.

Complete the table so that the verbs agree with their subjects.

singular plural

present tense past tense present tense past tense

first person I am I we are wesecond person you are you you youthird person he/she/it/ he/she/it/ they they

waswere

wasisareare

werewerewere

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Subject–verb agreement

A verb should agree with its subject, not with a word that comes between them.

A box of my favourite chocolates disappear quickly.disappears

The subject is the singular box, not

chocolates, so the verb must be singular.

Some subjects sound plural but are singular.

Politics are a messy business.is

Everybody who wanted to go were given a ticket. was

Treat most indefinite pronouns as singular subjects.

Grammar Toolkit

Subject–verb agreement

Singular subjects joined by and need a plural verb.

Saba and Rana are great friends.

But if the subject begins with each or every, use a singular verb.

Every player, coach and official is expected to attend.

Grammar Toolkit

Subject–verb agreement

Singular subjects joined by or, either … or or neither … nor need a singular verb.

Saba or Rana has the answer.

But if one of the subjects is plural, use a plural verb.Either the teacher or her students have left the door open.

When the subject is a collective noun, treat it as singular unless its meaning is obviously plural.

The crowd is restless. The crowd are arguing among themselves.

Grammar Toolkit

Subject–verb agreement

Choose verbs to agree with their subjects.The cows in the bottom paddock need/needs to be milked.Navin, as well as the other musicians, has/have a great technique. Everyone is/are welcome to come. On top of the hill is/are an old tree and a stockyard. Neither Ace nor Basco deliver/delivers on weekends.Each of the latest winners receives/receive a medal. Daniel’s family love/loves to play pranks.

Grammar Toolkit

Subject–verb agreement

• A verb must “agree” with its subject. This means they must have matching number (singular or plural) and person (1st, 2nd or 3rd person).• Singular subjects joined by and need a plural verb.• Singular subjects joined by or, either … or or

neither … nor need a singular verb. • When the subject is a collective noun, treat it as

singular unless its meaning is obviously plural.• Treat most indefinite pronouns as singular

subjects.

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Subject–verb agreement

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