English Grammar for ESL learners
SUBJECT - VERB AGREEMENT
The verb in a sentence must agree with the subject.
The verb in an English sentence must agree with the subject
in number (singular or plural) in order to ensure that a
sentence is grammatically correct.
If the subject of a sentence is singular, its verb must also be singular; if the subject is plural, its verb must also be plural.
Here are some guidelines and examples:
SINGULAR VERBS:
If the subject of a sentence is singular, its verb must also be singular; if the subject is plural, its verb must also be plural.
Here are some guidelines and examples:
SINGULAR VERBS:
- Two nouns that are joined by 'or' or 'nor' take a
singular verb.
- “Either Eva or Joy has taken the wrong coat.”
- “Neither Tom nor Harry has arrived yet.”
- 'Each', 'every', 'everyone', 'everybody',
'anyone', 'anybody', someone', 'somebody, 'something'
take a
singular verb.
- “Each/every inhabitant is concerned.”
- “Everyone/everybody/anyone/anybody/someone/somebody is responsible.”
- "Something is not working properly."
- 'The number of' takes a
singular verb.
- "The number of online customers is increasing."
- "The number of road accidents is causing great concern.
- "The number of guests was quite small."
- Collective nouns take
singular verbs.
- “The majority is in favour of the proposal.”
- “Our team is the best.”
- "The crowd was angry and hostile."
- Uncountable nouns such as 'information', baggage', 'equipment', etc. take
singular nouns.
- “More information is available at the reception.”
- “All baggage is stored here.”
- "Advice is given at the information desk when necessary."
- Some nouns appear to be plural but are singular and take singular
verbs, for example 'gymnastics', 'news', 'physics', 'politics', etc.
- “The latest news is reassuring.”
- “Gymnastics is fun to watch.”
- "Physics is a difficult subject for many students."
- Nouns that are joined by 'and' take a
plural verb:
- “Tom and Harry have arrived home safely.”
- “Sugar and eggs are needed for the recipe.”
- Nouns with no singular form such as 'sunglasses', scissors', etc. take
plural verbs.
- “These scissors are rusty.”
- “Caroline's sunglasses are very fashionable.”
- 'Several', 'many', 'both', 'few', 'a few' take
plural verbs.
- “Several/many/most/both employees are aware of the danger.”
- “Few/a few people went to the beach today.”
- 'A number of' takes
a
plural verb.
- "A number of customers are complaining about slow delivery."
- "A number of people are waiting for the bus."
- "A number of social problems are caused by unemployment."
- 'One of ' takes
a
plural verb.
- "The guide indicated one of the few hotels that serve meals."
- "The book is one of those novels that owe their success to social networks."
- "She is one of the many patients who need special care."
- 'All', 'any', 'some', 'a lot of', 'most'
The verb agrees with the countable or uncountable noun that follows these words:- "All/any/some/a lot of/most smoke is irritating."
- "All/any/some/a lot of/most visitors are
welcome."
See : collective and compound nouns | countable and plural nouns | plural form of nouns
Please note that British English spelling is used on this website.