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 'not' 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."
- 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.”
See : collective and compound nouns | countable and plural nouns | plural form of nouns
Please note that British English spelling is used on this website.