Agreement Gist for GMAT | Verbal for GMAT PDF Download

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that the verb or verbs in a sentence must match the number, person, and gender of the subject; in English, the verb needs to match just the number and sometimes the person. For example, the singular subject it and the plural subject they use different versions of the same verb: “it goes . . . ” and “they go . . . ”

How to Conjugate be in the Singular and Plural

1. Verb/Pronoun

• A singular or plural verb or a pronoun must match the subject it references.
• Be on the lookout for these trigger words: is/are, has/have, it/they
• Once you see these words, see if the subject agrees
• Examples:  
  Wrong: 
  A recent survey indicates that the economy, despite the consensus of the analysts, are headed for a modest improvement in the coming 2 to 3 quarters.
  The verb “are” is referring to a singular subject---“the economy”. Wrong! “analysts” is the fakeout. Here’s the correct version:
  Right: 
  “A recent survey indicates that the economy, despite the consensus of the analysts, is headed for a modest improvement in the coming 2 to 3 quarters.
  Wrong: 
  The company announced their new initiative to promote growth in regions that had been lagging.
  The pronoun “their” is referring to a singular company, so it’s wrong! It should be:
  Right: 
  The company announced its new initiative to promote growth in regions that had been lagging. 

2. Random Verb 

• Beyond the trigger words is/are, has/have, other verbs must match with the subject, such as “depend”, “suggest”, and “decide”.
• Example:  
   Wrong:
  The discipline of the students, especially after the tumultuous events this year, depend on the successful transition of the new administration.
  The plural verb “depend” does not match the singular subject “the discipline”. It should be:
  Right: 
  The discipline of the students, especially after the tumultuous events this year, depends on the successful transition of the new administration.

3. Ambiguity

• A pronoun must have a clear reference. If there’s any chance it could refer to more than one thing, it’s wrong.
• Example:  
   Wrong:
  The newspaper featured the new model, and critics raved about its appearance.  
  Right: 
  The newspaper featured the new model, and critics raved about the model’s appearance.  

4. Countability 

• If you can count something, use  
  • fewer
  • number
  • many  
• If you CAN’T count something use  
  • less
  • amount
  • much
• Example:  
   Wrong: 
  Of the recent respondents to the survey the amount who voted yes...
  Right:
  Of the recent respondents to the survey the number who voted yes...

Advanced Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

Here’s a list of some additional subject-verb agreement rules to clear up the more problematic areas. If you’re still confused, review the subject-verb agreement examples to see how they work. 

1. When using the negative form in the present tense, only the verb do needs to match the subject. 
She does not like reading before bed.
She likes reading before bed. 

2. Likewise, in questions that involve the word do, only do needs to match the subject. 
Do you know where the train station is?
Does anyone know where the train station is? 

3. If the subject consists of multiple nouns joined by the conjunction and, treat the subject as plural and use the plural form of the verb. 
Lucas and Maxine are in love!
Only Lucas is in love.
However, some common phrases that form a single unit can act as singular.
This bed and breakfast is delightful! 

4. If the subject consists of multiple singular nouns joined by or, treat the subject as singular. 
Penne or rigatoni works fine for the recipe.
However, if the subject consists of multiple plural nouns joined by or, treat the subject as plural.
Cats or dogs make good friends.
If there’s a combination of singular and plural nouns joined by or, the verb follows the number of the final one listed.
The teacher or the students have to inform the principal.
The students or the teacher has to inform the principal. 

5. If there is more than one active verb, as with compound predicates, all the verbs must agree with the subject. 
After work, I go shopping, pick up the kids, cook dinner, and then relax for the night.