When speaking or writing in English, it is vital that you follow the rules of subject verb agreement. In simple terms, this means making sure that the subject agrees with the verb. For example, you would say ‘You are’ and not ‘you am.’
By using the correct subject-verb agreement, you will make more understandable and grammatically correct sentences. This will also help your English sound more fluent. We will look closer at the idea of subject-verb agreement and how you can ensure you follow these rules.
Subject verb agreement is a grammatical rule in English stating that the subject and the verb must agree in a sentence.
The subject and verb must agree in number. A singular subject takes a singular verb, whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.
The subject is separated from the verb by “with”, “as well as”, “together with”, “along with”. These words and phrases are not part of the subject. The verb agrees with the subject.
Two subjects joined by “and” are plural.
Two subjects joined by “or/not”, “either…or/neither…nor”, “not only…but also” take the verb that agrees with the subject closest to it.
With collective nouns, the verb might be singular or plural (UK), depending on meaning.
In sentences beginning with “here” or “there“, the true subject follows the verb.
The verb is singular if the subject is a singular indefinite pronoun such as each, either, neither, one, no one, every one, someone, anyone, nobody, somebody, anybody, everybody, one, no.
The verb is plural if the subject is a plural indefinite pronoun such as several, few, both, many.
Some indefinite pronouns (some, any, all, most) may be either singular or plural, depending upon their use in a sentence: with uncountable, use singular; with countable, use plural.
Use a singular verb for expressions of measurement, time, money and weight when the amount is considered one unit.
Plural form subjects with a singular meaning take a singular verb (such as mumps, home economics, social studies economics, measles, calisthenics, statistics, civics, physics, gymnastics, phonics, news, acrobatics, aesthetics, thesis, mathematics).
Titles of single entities (books, organizations, countries, etc.) are always singular.
