Subject Verb Agreement | connecting-the-dots

The Fundamental Rule

A verb must always agree with its subject in number and person.

A singular subject takes a singular verb (usually ending in -s or -es in the present tense).
A plural subject takes a plural verb.

Basic Examples:

The dog barks at strangers. (Singular)

The dogs bark at strangers. (Plural)

Rule 1: Compound Subjects Joined by "And"

When two or more subjects are joined by "and," they generally take a plural verb.

Example: The student and the teacher are reviewing the notes.

Exceptions:

Single Concept/Idea: If the two subjects refer to the same person, thing, or a single conceptual unit, use a singular verb.
- Example: Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.
- Example: The founder and CEO is speaking today. (One person holds both titles.)
Preceded by Each/Every: If the compound subject is preceded by "each" or "every," use a singular verb.
- Example: Every boy and girl gets a prize.

Rule 2: The Rule of Proximity (Or / Nor)

When subjects are joined by or, nor, either…or, or neither…nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Example: Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the changes. (Plural verb because "employees" is closest).
Example: Either the employees or the manager is responsible. (Singular verb because "manager" is closest).

Rule 3: Intervening Phrases

Phrases that come between the subject and the verb do not change the number of the subject. Ignore phrases starting with as well as, along with, together with, in addition to, accompanied by, or including. The verb agrees with the main subject.

Example: The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly. (Agrees with "politician").
Example: The dogs, as well as the cat, need to be fed. (Agrees with "dogs").

Rule 4: Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns can be tricky because some are strictly singular, some are strictly plural, and a few can be either depending on context.

Pronoun Type	Words to Memorize	Verb Needed	Example
Always Singular	Anyone, everyone, someone, no one, anybody, everybody, somebody, nobody, anything, everything, something, nothing, each, either, neither.	Singular	Everyone is happy. Neither of the options works.
Always Plural	Both, few, many, several.	Plural	Several are waiting outside.
Variable (Depends on context)	All, any, more, most, some.	Depends on the noun following "of".	All of the cake is gone. All of the pieces are gone.

Rule 5: Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (team, jury, committee, family, group, audience) can take a singular or plural verb depending on how the group is acting.

Singular (Acting as a single unit): The team is heading to the championship.
Exception - Plural (Acting as individuals within the group): The jury are arguing among themselves. (They are doing different things individually).

Rule 6: "A Number of" vs. "The Number of"

This is a very common testing point.

"A number of" means "many" and takes a plural verb.
- Example: A number of students are absent.
"The number of" refers to a specific statistical unit and takes a singular verb.
- Example: The number of students in the class is thirty.

Rule 7: Plural Form, Singular Meaning

Some nouns end in "-s" and look plural but are singular in meaning. These take a singular verb.

Examples: Physics, Mathematics, Economics, News, Measles, Billiards, Athletics.
Example: The news is broadcasting live.

Exception: When words like mathematics or politics refer to personal habits/beliefs rather than the academic subject, they can be plural.

Example: His politics are quite radical. (Refers to his political views).

Rule 8: Measurements, Time, Money, and Distance

When plural nouns express a specific quantity, distance, time, or amount of money as a single unit, they take a singular verb.

Example: Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
Example: Five miles is too far to walk.

Rule 9: Sentences Beginning with "Here" or "There"

In sentences starting with here or there, the true subject comes after the verb.

Example: There are four hurdles to jump. (Plural)
Example: Here is the key. (Singular)

Rule 10: Fractions and Percentages

With fractions, percentages, and words like majority, look at the noun in the "of" phrase to determine the verb.

Example: Fifty percent of the pie has been eaten. (Singular "pie")
Example: Fifty percent of the pies have been eaten. (Plural "pies")

Rule 11: Specialized Exceptions (The Oddballs)

"Many a…" This phrase takes a singular noun and a singular verb, even though it refers to more than one thing.
- Example: Many a student has struggled with this rule.
"More than one…" Just like "many a," this takes a singular verb.
- Example: More than one person has complained about the noise.
Titles of Books, Movies, or Companies: Even if the title is plural, it takes a singular verb because it is one entity.
- Example: "The Hunger Games" is an excellent book.
- Example: General Motors has released a new car.
Relative Pronouns (who, which, that): The verb must agree with the noun the pronoun refers back to (the antecedent).
- Example: He is one of the men who do the work. (Who refers to "men," so the verb is plural).

Common Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

Rule	Explanation	Example
Singular Subjects	Singular subjects take singular verbs.	The dog barks* loudly.*
Plural Subjects	Plural subjects take plural verbs.	The dogs bark* loudly.*
Compound Subjects Joined by "and"	Usually take a plural verb.	John and* Mary are going to the park.*
Compound Subjects Joined by "or" or "nor"	The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.	Neither the teacher nor* the students are present.*
Indefinite Pronouns (Singular)	Each, every, neither, either, one, nobody, somebody, etc., take singular verbs.	Each student has a book.
Indefinite Pronouns (Plural)	Both, few, many, several take plural verbs.	Many students have books.
Indefinite Pronouns (Singular or Plural)	Some, all, most, none - the verb depends on the noun they refer to.	Some of the cake is missing. / Some of the cakes are missing.
Collective Nouns	When referring to the group as a unit, use a singular verb. When referring to individual members, use a plural verb.	The team wins* the championship.* / The team are* discussing their strategies.*