In English, ensuring that verbs agree with their subjects is a fundamental aspect of constructing grammatically correct sentences. Despite its importance, subject-verb agreement can be a tricky area for many language learners. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of verb agreement with subjects, including the rules, exceptions, and some advanced nuances that you might encounter.
Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
At its core, subject-verb agreement means that the form of the verb must match the number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third) of the subject. Here are the basic rules:
1. **Singular subjects take singular verbs:** For example, “The cat runs fast.”
2. **Plural subjects take plural verbs:** For example, “The cats run fast.”
Third-Person Singular Subjects
One of the most common areas where mistakes occur is with third-person singular subjects. In English, third-person singular subjects require verbs to take an “s” or “es” ending. For instance:
– “He reads a book.”
– “She goes to school.”
– “The dog barks loudly.”
Note that this rule applies only to the present tense. In past tense, verbs do not change according to the subject.
Compound Subjects
When dealing with compound subjects (subjects joined by “and”), use a plural verb:
– “John and Mary are going to the party.”
– “The teacher and the students have arrived.”
However, if the compound subject is perceived as a single entity or unit, a singular verb is used:
– “Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish.”
Subjects Separated from Verbs
Sometimes, words or phrases can come between the subject and the verb, potentially causing confusion. In these cases, the verb must still agree with the main subject, not with the intervening words:
– “The bouquet of flowers is beautiful.”
– “The team, despite the injuries, has won the game.”
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns can also be tricky. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular, some are always plural, and some can be both, depending on the context.
**Always Singular:**
– “Everyone is invited.”
– “Each of the players is ready.”
**Always Plural:**
– “Few have arrived.”
– “Both are excited.”
**Singular or Plural (context-dependent):**
– “All of the cake is gone.” (cake is uncountable)
– “All of the cookies are gone.” (cookies are countable)
Special Cases and Exceptions
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, group) can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group is considered as a single unit or as individuals:
– “The team is winning.” (considered a single entity)
– “The team are arguing among themselves.” (considered as individuals)
Titles and Names
Titles of books, movies, and other works, even if plural in form, take a singular verb:
– “The Chronicles of Narnia is a popular series.”
Names of organizations or companies, even if they sound plural, take a singular verb:
– “General Motors is releasing a new car model.”
Amounts and Quantities
When indicating amounts or quantities, the verb form depends on how the subject is perceived:
– “Ten dollars is a lot of money.” (considered as a single amount)
– “A thousand ants are crawling on the ground.” (considered as individual ants)
Inverted Sentences
In sentences where the subject follows the verb, such as in questions or sentences starting with “here” or “there,” the verb must still agree with the subject:
– “Where are the keys?”
– “Here is the book you were looking for.”
Relative Clauses
When a subject is followed by a relative clause, the verb in the relative clause should agree with the antecedent of the relative pronoun:
– “She is one of the students who have finished the project.” (students is plural)
– “She is the only one of the students who has finished the project.” (one is singular)
Advanced Considerations
Subjunctive Mood
In the subjunctive mood, which is used to express wishes, demands, or suggestions, the verb form does not change according to the subject:
– “I suggest that he go to the doctor.” (not “goes”)
– “It’s essential that she be present.”
Gerunds and Infinitives as Subjects
When gerunds or infinitives function as subjects, they take a singular verb:
– “Swimming is a good exercise.”
– “To read is to grow.”
Subjects with “Each” and “Every”
When subjects are introduced by “each” or “every,” they take a singular verb:
– “Each student has a locker.”
– “Every book and magazine is on sale.”
Subjects with “None” and “Neither/Nor”
The word “none” can take either a singular or plural verb, depending on the context:
– “None of the water is clean.” (water is uncountable)
– “None of the students are present.” (students are countable)
For “neither/nor” constructions, the verb agrees with the nearest subject:
– “Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.”
– “Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.”
Subjects with “Or” and “Nor”
When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the part of the subject closest to the verb:
– “The boy or his friends run every day.”
– “His friends or the boy runs every day.”
Subjects with “A Number Of” and “The Number Of”
The phrase “a number of” is followed by a plural verb, while “the number of” is followed by a singular verb:
– “A number of students are absent.”
– “The number of students is increasing.”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Misidentifying the Subject
A common mistake is misidentifying the subject of the sentence. Ensure that you correctly identify the main subject before deciding on the verb form:
– Incorrect: “The group of players are winning.”
– Correct: “The group of players is winning.”
Ignoring Intervening Phrases
Do not let intervening phrases between the subject and the verb confuse you. Always match the verb to the main subject:
– Incorrect: “The bouquet of roses are beautiful.”
– Correct: “The bouquet of roses is beautiful.”
Confusing Singular and Plural Forms
Be careful with subjects that look plural but are actually singular and vice versa:
– Incorrect: “Mathematics are interesting.”
– Correct: “Mathematics is interesting.”
Overlooking Indefinite Pronouns
Remember that some indefinite pronouns are always singular or always plural:
– Incorrect: “Everyone are happy.”
– Correct: “Everyone is happy.”
Errors with “There” and “Here”
In sentences beginning with “there” or “here,” ensure the verb agrees with the actual subject:
– Incorrect: “There is many options.”
– Correct: “There are many options.”
Practice Exercises
To master subject-verb agreement, practice is crucial. Here are a few exercises to test your understanding:
1. Each of the dogs (bark/barks) loudly.
2. The committee (is/are) making a decision.
3. Neither the manager nor the employees (was/were) happy with the changes.
4. There (is/are) several problems to address.
5. A number of students (has/have) complained about the homework.
**Answers:**
1. barks
2. is
3. were
4. are
5. have
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is an essential part of English grammar that ensures clarity and precision in communication. While the basic rules are straightforward, numerous exceptions and special cases can make this area challenging. By understanding and practicing these rules, language learners can improve their grammatical accuracy and fluency. Remember, consistency and attention to detail are key, and with time and practice, mastering subject-verb agreement will become second nature.
