Overview
Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number. A singular subject takes a singular verb (The dog barks); a plural subject takes a plural verb (The dogs bark). Agreement errors are common with there is/are, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and compound subjects.
Core Rule
- SingularSingular subject → singular verb: She works every day.
- PluralPlural subject → plural verb: They work every day.
- I / youI and you take base verb: I work, you work
- He/she/itThird-person singular adds -s / -es: she goes, he watches
Tricky Subjects
- Compound subject (and): Tom and Sara are here.
- Either…or / Neither…nor: agree with nearer subject.
- Long phrases: The box of chocolates is on the shelf.
- Indefinite pronouns: Everyone is ready.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ The news are good → ✅ The news is good (uncountable)
- ❌ My family are coming (AmE: singular) → ✅ is coming
- ❌ There is three books → ✅ There are three books
When to use
Reading
He reads every evening.
Writing
The students write essays every week.
School
The class starts at nine o'clock.
Family
My parents live in the countryside.