Subject–Verb Agreement

Present simple

With most verbs:

I work.

You work.

We work.

They work.

But:

He works.

She works.

It works.

Be

Present:

I am

you/we/they are

he/she/it is

Past:

I/he/she/it was

you/we/they were

Ignore words between subject and verb

Consider:

The students in the classroom are tired.

The subject is students, not classroom.

Indefinite pronouns

Words such as these are usually singular:

• everyone
• everybody
• someone
• somebody
• anyone
• nobody
• each

Everyone has arrived.

Each student receives a copy.

There is / There are

The verb normally agrees with the noun that follows.

There is a problem.

There are several problems.

Two subjects joined by and

Two subjects joined by and are normally plural.

Anna and James are studying.

Reading and writing require practice.

The number of students using the library has increased.

Why has?

The subject is the number, which is singular.

Compare:

A number of students have complained.

Here, a number of means several students, so the verb is plural.

1. Find the verb.
2. Ask who or what performs the action.
3. Identify the real subject.
4. Ignore phrases between the subject and verb.
5. Decide whether the subject is singular or plural.
6. Check the verb form.

Incorrect: She work every Saturday.

Correct: She works every Saturday.

Incorrect: The list of problems are long.

Correct: The list of problems is long.

The subject is list, not problems.

Incorrect: Everyone have their own opinion.

Correct: Everyone has their own opinion.

Incorrect: There is many reasons to disagree.

Correct: There are many reasons to disagree.

Choose the correct sentence:

• A. The group of students are preparing a presentation.
• B. The group of students is preparing a presentation.
• C. The group of students preparing a presentation.
• D. The group of students be preparing a presentation.

Answer: B. The subject is group, which is singular.

• The verb must agree with the subject.
• He, she and it usually require an -s in the present simple.
• Do not let nearby nouns distract you from the real subject.
• Words such as everyone and each are normally singular.
• Two subjects joined by and are usually plural.