Subject-Verb Agreement: Complete Rules with Examples

Subject-Verb Agreement is one of the most important topics in English Grammar. It means that the subject and the verb in a sentence must agree in number and person.

In simple words, a singular subject generally takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Basic Rule

Singular Subject → Singular Verb

• He plays football.

• She works in a bank.

• The boy is intelligent.

Plural Subject → Plural Verb

• They play football.

• We work in a bank.

• The boys are intelligent.

Remember that in the present simple tense, a singular subject usually takes a verb ending in -s or -es.

Rule 1: Two Subjects Joined by "And"

When two subjects are joined by and, we generally use a plural verb.

• Rahim and Karim are friends.

• The teacher and the students are in the classroom.

• Honesty and hard work are important qualities.

Exception

If two nouns refer to the same person or thing, a singular verb may be used.

• The owner and manager is coming today.

Here, "owner" and "manager" refer to the same person.

Rule 2: Subjects Joined by "Or" or "Nor"

When two subjects are joined by or, nor, either...or, neither...nor, the verb usually agrees with the subject closer to it.

• Either the teacher or the students are responsible.

• Either the students or the teacher is responsible.

• Neither Rahim nor his friends are available.

• Neither his friends nor Rahim is available.

This is an important rule for competitive examinations.

Rule 3: Each, Every and Everyone

Words such as each, every, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody generally take a singular verb.

• Each student has a book.

• Every employee is responsible.

• Everyone likes flowers.

• Somebody is waiting outside.

• Nobody knows the answer.

Incorrect:

• Everyone are happy.

Correct:

• Everyone is happy.

Rule 4: Collective Nouns

Collective nouns such as team, family, committee, government, audience, class, jury may take a singular verb when the group is considered as one unit.

• The team is playing well.

• The committee has made a decision.

• The family is very happy.

However, when the members are considered individually, a plural verb can sometimes be used, especially in British English.

• The team are arguing among themselves.

Rule 5: "A Number of" vs. "The Number of"

This is a very common examination question.

A number of + plural noun → plural verb

• A number of students are absent.

• A number of people have complained.

The number of + plural noun → singular verb

• The number of students is increasing.

• The number of applicants has decreased.

Easy Trick

A number of → many → plural verb

The number of → the total number → singular verb

Rule 6: Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns generally take singular verbs.

Examples include:

• information

• advice

• furniture

• equipment

• news

• knowledge

• money

Examples:

• The information is useful.

• His advice was helpful.

• The furniture is expensive.

• The news is shocking.

Do not use plural verbs simply because these words refer to many things.

Rule 7: Words Between Subject and Verb

Words or phrases between the subject and the verb do not change the number of the subject.

• The quality of these products is good.

• The students in this class are hardworking.

• The list of candidates is ready.

The subject in the first sentence is quality, not "products."

Common Mistake

❌ The quality of these products are good.

✅ The quality of these products is good.

Rule 8: "There is" and "There are"

The verb agrees with the actual subject that comes after it.

• There is a book on the table.

• There are two books on the table.

• There is a problem.

• There are several problems.

So, use there is for singular subjects and there are for plural subjects.

Rule 9: Time, Money and Distance

When an amount of time, money, distance, weight, etc. is considered as a single unit, a singular verb is generally used.

• Ten years is a long time.

• Five thousand taka is enough.

• Ten kilometers is a long distance.

• Two hours is enough for the examination.

Rule 10: "One of + Plural Noun"

After one of, the noun is plural, but the verb in the relative clause may depend on the structure.

• He is one of the students who work hard.

Here, "who" refers to students, so the plural verb "work" is appropriate.

But:

• He is the only one of the students who works hard.

Here, "who" refers to the only one, so "works" is used.

Common Errors

Let's look at some common mistakes:

❌ He go to school every day.

✅ He goes to school every day.

❌ The boys plays football.

✅ The boys play football.

❌ Everyone are ready.

✅ Everyone is ready.

❌ The list of names are on the table.

✅ The list of names is on the table.

❌ A number of students is absent.

✅ A number of students are absent.

❌ The number of students are increasing.

✅ The number of students is increasing.

Quick Revision

Remember these important patterns:

Each / Every / Everyone → Singular Verb

A number of + plural noun → Plural Verb

The number of + plural noun → Singular Verb

And → Usually Plural Verb

Or / Nor → Verb agrees with the nearer subject

Uncountable noun → Singular Verb

Amount of time/money/distance as one unit → Singular Verb

Words between subject and verb do not change the verb

Final Tip

The easiest way to master Subject-Verb Agreement is to first identify the real subject of the sentence. Do not let nearby nouns confuse you.

For example:

The quality of the products is excellent.

The real subject is quality, which is singular. Therefore, we use is, not are.

Practice these rules regularly, and Subject-Verb Agreement questions will become much easier in competitive exams, university admission tests, IELTS, and other English examinations.