Subject Verb Agreement

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Subject–Verb Agreement — Full Rules with Many Examples

Subject–Verb Agreement means that the verb must agree with its subject in number (singular/plural) and person.

Basic idea

Subject Correct verb Example
I am / have / do / go I am happy.
You are / have / do / go You are ready.
He/She/It is / has / does / goes She is happy.
We/They are / have / do / go They are ready.

Rule 1: Singular subject takes a singular verb

A singular subject generally takes a singular verb.

  • Ram plays football.
  • Sita reads a book.
  • The boy runs fast.
  • My brother works in Kathmandu.
  • The dog barks at night.
  • The sun rises in the east.
  • The baby cries loudly.

Remember:

In the simple present tense, he/she/it + verb-s/es.

  • He plays.
  • She writes.
  • It works.
  • Ram goes.
  • The dog barks.

Rule 2: Plural subjects take plural verbs

Plural subjects take plural verbs.

  • The boys play football.
  • The girls sing songs.
  • The students study English.
  • My friends live nearby.
  • Dogs bark.
  • The teachers work hard.

Compare:

  • The boy plays football. ✅

  • The boys play football. ✅

  • The girl writes well. ✅

  • The girls write well. ✅

Rule 3: I and You have special forms

With I

  • I am a student.
  • I have a car.
  • I do my work.
  • I go to school.
  • I play football.

With You

  • You are my friend.
  • You have a pen.
  • You do your work.
  • You go to school.
  • You play football.

❌ I is a student.
✅ I am a student.

❌ You is happy.
✅ You are happy.

Rule 4: Two subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb

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

  • Ram and Hari are friends.
  • Sita and Gita play badminton.
  • The teacher and the student are talking.
  • My father and mother work together.
  • A pen and a pencil are on the table.

Incorrect:

❌ Ram and Hari is friends.

Correct:

✅ Ram and Hari are friends.

Rule 5: When two nouns joined by "and" refer to one person or one thing

Sometimes two nouns joined by and refer to one person, one thing, or one idea. Then a singular verb is used.

  • The owner and manager is coming.
    (one person who is both owner and manager)

  • Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.

  • Fish and chips is a popular dish.

  • Slow and steady wins the race.

But:

  • The owner and the manager are coming.
    (two different people)

Rule 6: Subjects joined by or / nor

When subjects are joined by or, nor, either...or, neither...nor, the verb generally agrees with the nearer subject.

Examples:

  • Either Ram or Hari is coming.
  • Either Hari or his friends are coming.
  • Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.
  • Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.
  • Either my parents or my brother is going.
  • Either my brother or my parents are going.

Remember:

Near subject → verb

Either A or B verb

Rule 7: Each, Every and related words take singular verbs

The following usually take singular verbs:

  • each
  • every
  • everyone
  • everybody
  • everything
  • someone
  • somebody
  • something
  • anyone
  • anybody
  • anything
  • no one
  • nobody
  • nothing

Examples:

  • Everyone is happy.
  • Everybody likes music.
  • Each student has a book.
  • Every boy plays football.
  • Someone is calling you.
  • Nobody knows the answer.
  • Everything looks beautiful.
  • Anyone can do this.
  • Nothing seems impossible.

❌ Everyone are happy.
✅ Everyone is happy.

❌ Each student have a book.
✅ Each student has a book.

Rule 8: Each of / Every one of + plural noun takes a singular verb

Although the noun after of is plural, the subject is each/every one.

  • Each of the students is present.
  • Each of the boys has a book.
  • Each of my friends likes football.
  • Every one of the players was ready.
  • Each of these books is useful.

❌ Each of the students are present.
✅ Each of the students is present.

Rule 9: One of + plural noun takes a singular verb

The expression one of + plural noun takes a singular verb.

  • One of my friends is a doctor.
  • One of the boys has won the race.
  • One of these books is mine.
  • One of the teachers was absent.
  • One of my sisters lives in Pokhara.

❌ One of my friends are a doctor.
✅ One of my friends is a doctor.

Rule 10: Collective nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group:

  • team
  • family
  • committee
  • class
  • audience
  • government
  • army
  • crowd
  • jury
  • staff

When the group acts as one unit, a singular verb is normally used.

  • The team is ready.
  • The family is happy.
  • The committee has decided.
  • The class is quiet.
  • The audience was large.
  • The government has announced a new policy.

When individual members are emphasized, plural agreement may be used, especially in British English.

  • The team are arguing among themselves.
  • The family are divided in their opinions.

For standard school grammar, use singular verbs with collective nouns unless the individual members are clearly emphasized.

Rule 11: Uncountable nouns take singular verbs

Uncountable nouns generally take singular verbs.

Examples:

  • water
  • milk
  • rice
  • information
  • advice
  • furniture
  • knowledge
  • money
  • traffic
  • equipment

Examples:

  • Water is necessary for life.
  • Milk is good for children.
  • Rice is grown in Nepal.
  • Information is useful.
  • His advice was helpful.
  • The furniture is expensive.
  • Knowledge is power.
  • Money is important.

❌ The information are useful.
✅ The information is useful.

Rule 12: Some nouns end in -s but take singular verbs

Some subjects look plural because they end in -s, but they are singular in meaning.

Examples:

  • mathematics
  • physics
  • economics
  • politics
  • news
  • measles

Examples:

  • Mathematics is my favorite subject.
  • Physics is difficult.
  • Economics is an interesting subject.
  • The news is shocking.
  • Politics is complicated.

❌ The news are good.
✅ The news is good.

Rule 13: Plural nouns that do not end in -s

Some nouns are plural even though they don't end in -s.

Examples:

  • children
  • men
  • women
  • people
  • mice
  • geese
  • feet
  • teeth

Examples:

  • The children are playing.
  • The men are working.
  • The women are talking.
  • People are waiting.
  • The mice are hiding.
  • My teeth are white.

Rule 14: Words between the subject and verb do not change agreement

Do not be confused by phrases placed between the subject and verb.

Examples:

  • The boy with his friends is playing.
  • The boys with their teacher are playing.
  • The book on the table is mine.
  • The books on the table are mine.
  • The teacher, along with the students, is coming.
  • The students, along with the teacher, are coming.

The real subject is:

The boy → is
The boys → are

Rule 15: Phrases beginning with along with, together with, as well as, including, accompanied by

These phrases do not normally change the number of the subject.

  • Ram, along with his friends, is coming.
  • The teacher, as well as the students, is present.
  • Sita, together with her sisters, has arrived.
  • The manager, accompanied by his assistants, was present.
  • The principal, including the teachers, was invited.

Remember:

Subject + along with/as well as/together with + extra information + verb

The verb agrees with the main subject.

Rule 16: There is / There are

With there is/there are, the verb agrees with the noun that follows.

Singular:

  • There is a book on the table.
  • There is a student in the room.
  • There was a problem.
  • There has been an accident.

Plural:

  • There are five books on the table.
  • There are many students here.
  • There were several problems.
  • There have been many changes.

Compare:

  • There is a pen.
  • There are two pens.

Rule 17: Expressions of quantity

With expressions such as half of, some of, most of, all of, plenty of, the verb depends on the noun after of.

Countable/plural noun → plural verb

  • Some of the students are absent.
  • Most of the books are interesting.
  • All of the children are happy.
  • Half of the apples are rotten.

Uncountable/singular noun → singular verb

  • Some of the water is dirty.
  • Most of the money is gone.
  • All of the information is useful.
  • Half of the cake is eaten.

Rule 18: A number of vs The number of

This is an important rule.

A number of + plural noun → plural verb

  • A number of students are absent.
  • A number of people have complained.
  • A number of problems have occurred.

The number of + plural noun → singular verb

  • The number of students is increasing.
  • The number of cars has increased.
  • The number of applicants is high.

Easy trick:

A number of → ARE/HAVE

The number of → IS/HAS

Rule 19: Time, money, distance and weight as a single unit

When an amount is considered as one unit, use a singular verb.

  • Ten thousand rupees is a lot of money.
  • Five years is a long time.
  • Ten kilometers is a long distance.
  • Two hours is enough.
  • Fifty kilograms is too heavy.

But when individual units are emphasized, plural agreement can occur:

  • Five years have passed since we met.
  • Ten kilometers were covered by the runners.

Rule 20: Titles of books, movies, newspapers, etc.

A title is generally treated as singular, even if it contains plural words.

  • The Arabian Nights is a famous book.
  • Great Expectations is a novel.
  • The United States is a country.

Rule 21: Names of countries and organizations

Some names look plural but refer to a single entity.

  • The United States is a country.
  • The United Nations is an international organization.
  • The Philippines is an island country.

Rule 22: Gerunds as subjects take singular verbs

A gerund is an -ing form used as a noun.

  • Swimming is good exercise.
  • Reading is my hobby.
  • Walking is good for health.
  • Playing football is enjoyable.
  • Learning English takes time.

Here, the whole activity is considered singular.

Rule 23: Infinitives as subjects usually take singular verbs

  • To read is useful.
  • To exercise is important.
  • To help others is a good habit.
  • To learn English takes time.

Rule 24: Relative pronouns — who, which, that

The verb agrees with the noun that the relative pronoun refers to.

Singular:

  • She is the girl who works hard.
  • He is the man who lives here.
  • This is the book that belongs to me.

Plural:

  • They are the students who work hard.
  • These are the books that belong to me.
  • I know the people who live here.

Compare:

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

Rule 25: More than one takes a singular verb

  • More than one student has failed.
  • More than one person is responsible.
  • More than one boy was absent.

Even though students/persons/boys are plural, the expression more than one normally takes a singular verb.

Rule 26: Many a takes a singular verb

  • Many a student has participated.
  • Many a person has made this mistake.
  • Many a boy was present.

Rule 27: Neither / Either used alone takes a singular verb

  • Neither is correct.
  • Either is acceptable.
  • Neither of the answers is correct.
  • Either of the books is useful.

In formal school grammar, neither of/either of + plural noun → singular verb.

Rule 28: Both takes a plural verb

  • Both are correct.
  • Both students have passed.
  • Both of them were happy.
  • Both boys play football.

❌ Both is correct.
✅ Both are correct.

Rule 29: Not only...but also

The verb generally agrees with the subject nearest to it.

  • Not only Ram but also his friends are coming.
  • Not only his friends but also Ram is coming.
  • Not only the teacher but also the students are responsible.
  • Not only the students but also the teacher is responsible.

Rule 30: Questions

In questions, do not be confused by the position of the subject.

Singular:

  • Does he play football?
  • Is she ready?
  • Has Ram arrived?

Plural:

  • Do they play football?
  • Are they ready?
  • Have the students arrived?

Notice:

❌ Does he plays football?
✅ Does he play football?

After does/did, use the base form of the verb.

Rule 31: Modal verbs take the base form

After:

can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must

use the base form of the verb.

  • He can swim.
  • She can sing.
  • They can swim.
  • He will come.
  • They will come.
  • She should study.
  • They should study.
  • He must work.
  • They must work.

❌ He can swims.
✅ He can swim.

Rule 32: Do/Does/Did + base verb

  • He does his work.
  • They do their work.
  • She does not like tea.
  • They do not like tea.
  • He did not go there.
  • They did not go there.

❌ He does not likes tea.
✅ He does not like tea.

Rule 33: Subjects with every...and every...

When every is used before each noun joined by and, the verb is usually singular.

  • Every boy and every girl is required to attend.
  • Every teacher and every student has a responsibility.
  • Every man and every woman was given a seat.

Rule 34: No + singular/plural noun

The verb depends on the noun following no.

No + singular noun → singular verb

  • No student is absent.
  • No boy has come.
  • No book is available.

No + plural noun → plural verb

  • No students are absent.
  • No boys have come.
  • No books are available.

Rule 35: A lot of / Lots of / Plenty of

The verb agrees with the noun after the expression.

  • A lot of students are absent.
  • A lot of water is wasted.
  • Lots of people are here.
  • Lots of money is required.
  • Plenty of food is available.
  • Plenty of books are available.

Rule 36: Some of / Most of / All of

Again, look at the noun after of.

  • Some of the students are ready.
  • Some of the milk is gone.
  • Most of the people are happy.
  • Most of the work is finished.
  • All of the books are new.
  • All of the information is correct.

Rule 37: Nouns connected by with

The phrase after with does not change the subject.

  • The teacher with his students is coming.
  • The man with his children is here.
  • The students with their teacher are coming.
  • The girl with her friends is waiting.

Rule 38: Subjects separated by commas

A comma does not automatically make a subject plural.

  • My brother, my best friend, is coming. ❌ (awkward if two people are meant)
  • My brother and my best friend are coming. ✅

But:

  • My brother, a doctor, is coming. ✅

Here a doctor simply gives additional information about the brother.

Rule 39: "The rich, the poor, the elderly" etc.

These expressions refer to groups of people and normally take plural verbs.

  • The rich are not always happy.
  • The poor need help.
  • The elderly need special care.
  • The young are energetic.

Rule 40: Common confusing examples

1.

❌ The list of names are on the table.
✅ The list of names is on the table.

Subject = list, not names.

2.

❌ The quality of these products are good.
✅ The quality of these products is good.

Subject = quality.

3.

❌ The students in my class is intelligent.
✅ The students in my class are intelligent.

Subject = students.

4.

❌ One of my friends are coming.
✅ One of my friends is coming.

Subject = one.

5.

❌ The number of students are increasing.
✅ The number of students is increasing.

Subject = number.

Quick Reference Chart

Subject Verb
He is / has / does / goes
She is / has / does / goes
It is / has / does / goes
Ram is / has / does / goes
I am / have / do / go
You are / have / do / go
We are / have / do / go
They are / have / do / go
Ram and Hari are / have / do / go
Everyone is / has / does
Each student is / has / does
One of the boys is / has
A number of students are / have
The number of students is / has
Mathematics is
The news is
Water is
Children are
People are

20 Practice Questions

Choose the correct verb.

  1. Ram (play/plays) football every day.
  2. The boys (is/are) playing.
  3. Everyone (is/are) ready.
  4. Each student (has/have) a book.
  5. Ram and Hari (is/are) friends.
  6. Neither the teacher nor the students (is/are) ready.
  7. Neither the students nor the teacher (is/are) ready.
  8. The news (is/are) shocking.
  9. Mathematics (is/are) difficult.
  10. One of my friends (is/are) a doctor.
  11. A number of students (is/are) absent.
  12. The number of students (is/are) increasing.
  13. Some of the water (is/are) dirty.
  14. Some of the students (is/are) absent.
  15. The teacher, along with his students, (is/are) coming.
  16. There (is/are) five books on the table.
  17. Five years (is/are) a long time.
  18. My parents (is/are) at home.
  19. He (does/do) not like tea.
  20. She can (sing/sings) very well.

Answers

  1. plays
  2. are
  3. is
  4. has
  5. are
  6. are
  7. is
  8. is
  9. is
  10. is
  11. are
  12. is
  13. is
  14. are
  15. is
  16. are
  17. is
  18. are
  19. does
  20. sing
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