Subject-Verb Agreement


The rules of Subject-Verb Agreement are about the use of S-endings on either the subject or verb (but not both).

SUBJECT

EXAMPLE SENTENCES

Count Noun

Singular

A computer costs a lot of money. The kitten is cute.

Plural

These chairs are broken. Those monkeys love climbing.

Non Count Noun

Verb is always singular.

Water is not always clean. Rice always tastes good.

Group Noun

Singular

The football team practices daily. His class screams when the teacher announces a test.

Plural

Two gangs are fighting. Three teams are competing for first place.

Pronoun

Singular

She cries too much. He eats an apple a day. It runs on electricity.

**Exception** for Singular

I like her. You are a happy person.

Plural

We study together often. They are reading books.

Indefinite Pronoun

Singular

Everything is fine with me. Someone is knocking at the door.

Plural

A few of the good books are left. Some people like chocolate while others like vanilla.

either Singular or Plural

None of his friends is going to the theatre. Most of his friends love pizza.

Noun Phrase with adjective

Singular

Mary's red pen is out of ink. This thick book is interesting.

Plural

High school boys play football games on Saturdays. Those cute puppies are barking.

Noun Phrase with preposition

Singular Note: The subject is never the noun after the preposition.

The cat on the fence is John's. This folder under the table contains some articles and journals.

Plural

The books on the top shelf are about American history. The girls in my class are smart.

Clauses with that, who, whom or which

Singular

The girl who is sitting across from me is looking at me now. The newspaper which I need is under the table.

Plural

The elephants that walk around the zoo are from Africa. The children whom Mary loves are orphans.

Gerund

Gerund is always considered as Singular

Walking regularly helps us to improve our health. Eating vegetables and fruit is good for us.

Infinitive

Infinitive is always considered as Singular

To love everyone is a good action. To make the Dean's List requires a lot of studying.

Subject with "and"

Notice: If you use and to show two subjects, the verb doesn't need an S-ending.

Watering the plants and sweeping the floor are John's daily duties. To read books and to write letters are different skills. John and Mary have become good friends.

Notice: If you use and to show two subjects, the verb doesn't need an S-ending.

Watering the plants and sweeping the floor are John's daily duties. To read books and to write letters are different skills. John and Mary have become good friends.

Subject after verb

Singular

There has been a car parked there since yesterday. There is my book on the table.

Plural

There are five children playing. There are three big trees in the yard.

Questions

Singular

Does she get mad at you often? Is the puppy yours?

Plural

Do they believe you? Are those books good for our children?




Post a Comment