What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-Verb Agreement means that the verb in a sentence must match the subject in number and person.
In simple words:

 If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular.
 If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

This rule helps make sentences grammatically correct and easy to understand.

Why is Subject-Verb Agreement Important?

Subject-Verb Agreement is essential for clear communication. Incorrect agreement can make a sentence sound confusing or grammatically wrong. For example:

She go to school every day.
She goes to school every day.

Understanding this rule is especially important when writing, speaking formally, or appearing in exams and interviews.

Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

 1. Singular Subject → Singular Verb

• He runs fast.

• She sings well.

• It looks beautiful.

In present tense, most singular subjects take a verb ending in -s or -es.

 2. Plural Subject → Plural Verb

• They run every morning.

• We play cricket.

• The dogs bark loudly.

Plural subjects do not add -s to the verb in present tense.

Rule Exceptions and Special Cases

 3. Two Subjects Connected by ‘And’ → Plural Verb

• John and Mary are going to the market.

• My brother and I have finished the work.

But if both subjects refer to the same person or idea:

• Bread and butter is my breakfast. (Here, “bread and butter” is one item)

4. Subjects Joined by ‘Or’ / ‘Nor’ → Verb Agrees with the Closer Subject

• Either the teacher or the students are in the classroom.

• Neither the boys nor the girl is absent today.

This rule is called proximity rule.

 5. Indefinite Pronouns

Some indefinite pronouns are always singular, like:

• Each, everyone, everybody, someone, no one, anybody
  Everyone is happy.
  Somebody has taken my pen.

Some are always plural:

• Few, many, several, both
  Many are missing from class.

Some can be singular or plural depending on the context:

• All, some, most
   All of the food is gone. (food = singular)
   All of the students are here. (students = plural)

Collective Nouns

• A collective noun (like team, family, group) is usually singular when the group acts as one unit.
  The team is winning.
  But plural if members are acting individually:
  The team are wearing different jerseys.

 There / Here Sentences

When a sentence starts with “There is” or “Here are”, the verb agrees with the subject after it.

There is a book on the table.
There are many books on the shelf.

 Intervening Words

Ignore words between the subject and verb. Always match the verb with the main subject, not with the words in between.

The box of chocolates is on the table.
(Not “are”, because “box” is the subject)

 Titles, Names, and Subjects of Books

These are always treated as singular, even if they look plural.

 Mathematics is difficult.
 The United States is a powerful country.

Practice Makes Perfect!

To master Subject-Verb Agreement:

• Practice daily with real-life examples

• Identify the main subject before choosing the verb

• Be careful with exceptions and special cases

This topic forms the backbone of sentence construction. Understanding it ensures your grammar is strong and your English sounds natural and correct.