In my professional life as a teacher, I mark many many essays each year. There are certain common errors that appear regularly, such as errors with articles. Subject verb-agreement is also an issue for the majority of my writing students, so I needed an article about it. I set out to write one but came across this set of rules on Walden University’s website that is so concise that in my opinion can’t be bettered. It is very clear and especially concise.
Subject–Verb Agreement Rules
Key: subject = bold; verb = underline
Subjects and verbs must agree in number.
1/ If the subject is singular
the verb must be singular too.
Example: She writes every day.
2/ If the subject is plural
the verb must also be plural.
Example: They write every day.
Sometimes, however, it seems a bit more complicated than this.
3/ When the subject of the sentence
is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by ‘and’ use a plural verb.
Example: The doctoral student and the committee members write every day.
Example: The percentage of employees who called in sick and the number of employees who left their jobs within 2 years are reflective of the level of job satisfaction.
4/ When there is one subject and more than one verb
the verbs throughout the sentence must agree with the subject.
Example: Interviews are one way to collect data and allow researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of participants.
Example: An assumption is something that is generally accepted as true and is an important consideration when conducting a doctoral study.
5/ When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb
remember that the verb still agrees with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the phrase following the subject of the sentence.
Example: The student, as well as the committee members, is excited.
Example: The student with all the Master’s degrees is very motivated.
Example: Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage classroom participation include using small groups and clarifying expectations.
Example: The focus of the interviews was nine purposively selected participants.
6/ When two or more singular nouns or pronouns
are connected by ‘or’ ‘nor’, use a singular verb.
Example: The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.
7/ When a compound subject
contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity.
Example: The student or the committee members write every day.
Example: The committee members or the student writes every day.
8/ These words are singular and require a singular verb:
each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one.
Example: Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.
Example: Neither alternative hypothesis was accepted.
Example: I will offer a $5 gift card to everybody who participates in the study.
Example: No one was available to meet with me at the preferred times.
9/ Noncount nouns take a singular verb.
Example: Education is the key to success.
Example: Diabetes affects many people around the world.
Example: The information obtained from the business owners was relevant to include in the study.
Example: The research I found on the topic was limited.
10/ Some countable nouns in English
such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings, proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural form and take a plural verb.
Example: The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.
Example: The proceeds from the sale go to support the homeless population in the city.
Example: Locally produced goods have the advantage of shorter supply chains.
11/ In sentences beginning with ‘there is’ or ‘there are’
the subject follows the verb. Since there is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows the verb.
Example: There is little administrative support.
Example: There are many factors affecting teacher retention.
12/ Collective nouns
are words that imply more than one person but are considered singular and take a singular verb. Some examples are group, team, committee, family, and class.
Example: The group meets every week.
Example: The committee agrees on the quality of the writing.
However, the plural verb is used if the focus is on the individuals in the group. This is much less common.
Example: The committee participate in various volunteer activities in their private lives.
Reference – This instructional content was created by theWalden University Writing Center and is reused under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.