Agreements of Verbs

Simple Tense

1. In a sentence the verb always agrees with the subject in number and person.

The basic rule of subject-verb agreement is that the verb must match the subject in both number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, third). This is true for simple tenses as well as other tenses where a finite verb is used.

• I am a teacher.
• I shall play.

2. Two singular subjects joined by "and" normally take a plural verb.

When two or more subjects are joined by and, they usually form a compound subject and require a plural verb, because they refer to more than one person or thing.

• Mohit and Manish are good friends.

3. If subjects are joined by "as well as", "with", "together with", the verb agrees with the first subject.

Phrases such as as well as, with, together with do not join the subjects in the same way as and. The main verb must agree with the first (principal) subject.

• Devesh, as well as his children, has come.

4. When a subject is used with its apposition or opposition, the verb agrees with the subject, not the opponent.

When a noun or phrase stands in apposition or opposition to the subject, it does not change the number or person of the subject for the verb agreement.

• I, the manager of the bank, am not happy with your work.

5. Indefinite pronouns such as "either", "neither", "each", "every", "everyone", "no one", "somebody", "nobody", "many a" take a singular verb.

Many indefinite pronouns refer to one person or thing and therefore require a singular verb. Note that some forms (e.g. "both", "many", "several") are plural.

• Either of the two boys has stolen my purse.
• Many a man has failed because of laziness.

6. If two singular subjects joined by "and" are each preceded by "each" or "every", the verb is singular.

When each or every is used before two or more nouns connected by and, the emphasis is on individual members and the verb remains singular.

• Each day and each hour is important.

7. Two or more singular subjects connected by "either-or", "neither-nor", "or", or "nor" usually take a singular verb when both are singular.

When the subjects joined by these conjunctions are both singular, the verb is singular. However, the nearer-subject rule (see rule 8 and 9) overrides this when the subjects differ in number or person.

• Either Devesh or Deepak is coming today.
• Neither Dinesh nor his friend was invited.

8. When subjects joined by "either-or", "neither-nor", "or", "nor" differ in number, place the subject nearer the verb and make the verb agree with it.

If the two subjects differ in number (one singular, one plural), the verb should agree with the subject that is closer to the verb (the nearer subject).

• Either Raju or his friends have broken the glass.
• Neither the teachers nor the students were present there.

9. When two nouns or pronouns joined by "or", "nor", "either-or", "neither-nor" are of a different person, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.

Apply the same nearer-subject principle when the joined subjects differ in person (first, second, third).

• Either you or I am correct.
• Neither she nor you are to blame.

10. If two singular nouns refer to the same person or thing and the article is used only once before the first noun, the verb is singular.

When two noun phrases describe the same single entity and share an article, treat them as one idea and use a singular verb.

• A black and white cow is grazing. (one cow partly black and partly white)

11. If two subjects together express a single idea or a single thing, the verb is singular.

When two nouns form one notion or are used in a collective, idiomatic sense, they take a singular verb.

• Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.

12. When the subject is "one of" followed by a plural noun, the verb is singular.

The phrase one of selects a single member from a group; therefore the verb agrees with one (singular).

• One of the students in our class was praised by the teacher.

13. When the subject is introductory "there", the verb agrees with the real subject that follows it.

Introductory there does not function as the subject. The verb must agree in number with the actual subject that comes after it.

• There was a cruel king. (real subject - king)
• There were many people at the fair. (real subject - people)

14. "A lot of" and "plenty of" take a plural verb when they denote countable number; they take a singular verb when they denote quantity or amount (uncountable).

Decide whether the noun following these phrases is countable or uncountable to determine verb number.

• A lot of students are absent today. (countable)
• A lot of butter has been purchased. (uncountable)

15. "A number of" is followed by a plural verb; "the number of" is followed by a singular verb.

The phrase a number of means several and thus takes a plural verb. The phrase the number of refers to a definite quantity and the noun phrase acts as singular.

• A number of boys have come.
• The number of students in the class is thirty.

16. Some collective expressions and measurements are always treated as plural.

Certain expressions such as quantities given in plural terms or collective measures may be treated as plural depending on usage. Context matters; British English sometimes prefers plural for collective groups.

• A dozen were injured. (here the emphasis is on individuals)

17. Some nouns are used only in the singular and therefore take a singular verb.

Mass or uncountable nouns and certain abstract nouns (e.g. furniture, information, equipment) look singular and require singular verbs.

• All this furniture is very cheap.

18. Some nouns are plural in form but singular in meaning; they take singular verbs.

Illnesses and names that end in -s (e.g. mumps, measles) look plural but denote a single disease and take singular verbs.

• Mumps is a painful disease.

19. When two subjects are joined by "not only - but (also)", the verb agrees with the second subject.

In constructions using not only - but (also), the verb generally agrees with the subject that follows but, especially if it is nearer to the verb.

• Not only my sister but I also am innocent.

20. A collective noun takes a singular verb when regarded as a single unit; it can take a plural verb when its members act separately.

Collective nouns (committee, team, family, crowd) are singular when the group acts as one unit, and plural when individuals within the group act separately.

• The committee has agreed on this issue. (acting as one)
• The team are arguing among themselves. (acting as individuals - British usage)

21. In optative sentences for unfulfilled wishes, "were" is used with singular and plural subjects (subjunctive).

For wishes that are contrary to fact, English uses the subjunctive form were with singular and plural subjects: this is common in formal and written English.

• I wish it were possible.
• If I were rich, I would travel the world.

22. With expressions using "as if" or "as though" to indicate unreal or hypothetical situations, use the subjunctive "were" after a singular subject.

When the clause after as if or as though describes an unreal or imagined situation, the subjunctive were is used (especially in more formal English).

• He talks as if he were mad.

23. When two subjects are joined by "not only - but also", the verb often agrees with the second subject in number and person.

Similar to rule 19, constructions with not only - but also place emphasis on the second subject; therefore the verb usually agrees with that second subject.

• Not only you, but I am also responsible for this loss.

Notes, Special Cases and Helpful Guidelines

Subject-verb agreement has many special cases. The following short guidelines help you decide quickly:

• When in doubt, identify the real subject (ignore introductory words like there, phrases after "as well as", or appositives) and make the verb agree with it.
• With expressions of quantity, check whether the noun is countable or uncountable before choosing singular or plural verbs.
• With compound subjects joined by and, use a plural verb unless they refer to a single entity or are preceded by each / every.
• With either-or, neither-nor, or, nor, make the verb agree with the subject nearest to it.
• Remember special nouns that look plural but are singular in meaning (e.g. news, measles, physics) and mass nouns (e.g. information, furniture).

Final Summary

Subject-verb agreement requires the verb to match the subject in number and person. Pay attention to conjunctions, introductory words, indefinite pronouns, collective nouns, and phrases that change the logical number of the subject. When subjects differ in number or person, the verb usually agrees with the subject closest to it. Practise identifying the true subject in a sentence and apply the specific rules above to choose the correct verb form.