Difficulty: Beginner | Prerequisites: None
Source: ENGL 101.08, Michigan State University
Tags: subject-verb agreement, SVA, singular plural verbs, grammar rules, English composition, ENGL 101
Subject-verb agreement is one of the foundational grammar rules tested in English composition courses. It governs whether a verb takes a singular or plural form depending on its subject. Errors tend to creep in when prepositional phrases, compound subjects, or collective nouns sit between the subject and the verb. If you can identify the true subject of a sentence and match the verb to it, you have the core of this topic sorted.
A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb. The tricky part is finding the real subject, especially when prepositional phrases or compound constructions get in the way. Learn to strip the sentence down to its subject and verb, and most agreement errors disappear.
Subject
The noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb or is described by it. In agreement questions, correctly identifying the subject is the entire battle.
In simple terms, this is the "who" or "what" the sentence is about.
Verb
The word (or group of words) that expresses the action or state of being in a sentence. The verb must match the subject in number.
Think of it as the engine of the sentence: it has to run on the same fuel (singular or plural) as the subject.
Number (grammatical)
In grammar, number means singular (one) or plural (more than one). Unlike maths, there are only two options.
In simple terms, this means: is there one thing, or more than one?
Prepositional phrase
A group of words beginning with a preposition (of, with, in, on, for, etc.) that modifies a noun or verb. The object of a prepositional phrase is never the subject of the sentence.
Think of it as a descriptive add-on that can trick you into matching the verb to the wrong noun.
Collective noun
A noun that names a group (crowd, team, jury, committee). It is singular when the group acts as one unit and plural when the members act individually.
In simple terms, "the crowd cheers" (one unit) vs. "the jury disagree among themselves" (individuals).
Indefinite pronoun
A pronoun that does not refer to a specific person or thing: everyone, anyone, somebody, nobody, each, either, neither. Most are grammatically singular, even when they feel plural.
Think of it as a pronoun that sounds like it means "lots of people" but grammar treats it as "each one separately."
A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb.
"The dog runs" (singular subject, singular verb)
"The dogs run" (plural subject, plural verb)
The subject comes before any prepositional phrase. Whatever follows "of," "with," "in," "along with," etc. is not the subject.
Incorrect: "A bouquet of yellow roses lend colour and fragrance to the room."
Correct: "A bouquet of yellow roses lends colour and fragrance to the room."
The subject is "bouquet" (singular), not "roses."
"The list of items is on the desk."
The subject is "list" (singular), not "items."
This is the single most common source of agreement errors. Train yourself to cross out the prepositional phrase mentally and look at what remains.
When two singular subjects are joined by "or," "either/or," or "neither/nor," the verb is singular.
"My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today."
"Neither Juan nor Carmen is available."
When one subject is singular and the other is plural, and they are joined by "or," "either/or," or "neither/nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
"Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf."
"Bowl" (singular) is closest, so "goes."
"Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf."
"Plates" (plural) is closest, so "go."
Words like everyone, anyone, somebody, nobody, each, either, neither, and anything ending in "-one," "-body," or "-thing" take a singular verb.
"Everyone wants to go home."
"Each one of the employees seems ready."
"Neither of the boys is willing to study."
A collective noun (crowd, team, jury, family) is singular when the group acts as one unit, and plural when members act as individuals.
"The crowd was cheering wildly for Tom." (acting as one unit)
"The jury were divided on the verdict." (acting as individuals)
Two or more subjects joined by "and" form a plural subject and take a plural verb.
"Harold and Jayden were running to the gym."
Students often match the verb to the nearest noun rather than the true subject. In "A bouquet of yellow roses lends...," the subject is "bouquet," not "roses." The prepositional phrase is a distraction.
Students assume "neither" and "either" are plural because they imply two things. They are grammatically singular: "Neither of the boys is willing."
Collective nouns cause confusion because students try to pick one rule. The answer depends on context: is the group acting as a unit or as individuals? Both singular and plural can be correct.
Words like "everyone" and "everybody" feel plural because they refer to many people, but they are always treated as singular in formal grammar: "Everyone wants," not "Everyone want."
⚠️ The prepositional-phrase trap (Rule 2) appears in nearly every agreement exercise. Expect multiple questions where a plural noun inside a prepositional phrase sits right next to the verb.
⚠️ Indefinite pronouns (everyone, each, neither) paired with singular verbs are a staple of grammar quizzes. If you see "everyone" or "each," the verb is singular.
⚠️ The proximity rule (Rule 4) is a common trick question format: the answer changes depending on which subject is placed closest to the verb.
⚠️ Collective nouns may appear with either singular or plural verbs. Read the sentence context to decide whether the group acts as a unit or as individuals.
True or False: In the sentence "The list of items are on the desk," the verb "are" is correct. (False. The subject is "list," which is singular, so the verb should be "is.")
Fill in the blank: Neither of the students ______ (is/are) ready for the exam. (is)
True or False: "Everyone want to leave early" is grammatically correct. (False. "Everyone" is singular; the correct form is "wants.")
Fill in the blank: The team ______ (is/are) celebrating their victory as a group. (is, because the team acts as one unit)
True or False: "My aunt or my uncle are arriving" is correct because there are two people. (False. Two singular subjects joined by "or" take a singular verb: "is arriving.")
Q: One of my old fillings (need, needs) to be replaced. Which is correct?
A: "Needs." The subject is "one" (singular), not "fillings." The prepositional phrase "of my old fillings" is a modifier.
Q: That blouse with the yellow flowers (look, looks) good on you. Which is correct?
A: "Looks." The subject is "blouse" (singular). "With the yellow flowers" is a prepositional phrase.
Q: The crowd (was, were) cheering wildly for Tom. Which is correct?
A: "Was." The crowd is acting as one unit here (cheering together), so the collective noun takes a singular verb.
Q: The Chevy with the blue tinted windows (need, needs) washing. Which is correct?
A: "Needs." The subject is "Chevy" (singular). "With the blue tinted windows" is a prepositional phrase.
Q: Neither of the boys (is, are) willing to study during the weekends. Which is correct?
A: "Is." "Neither" is an indefinite pronoun and is always singular.
Q: Each one of the employees (seem, seems) ready for a vacation. Which is correct?
A: "Seems." "Each one" is singular. The prepositional phrase "of the employees" does not affect the verb.
Q: When Harold and Jayden (was, were) running to the gym, the coach yelled at them to slow down. Which is correct?
A: "Were." "Harold and Jayden" is a compound subject joined by "and," making it plural.
Subject-verb agreement connects directly to pronoun-antecedent agreement, which is covered in the companion study notes. Both topics require you to identify the true subject or antecedent and match it in number. Mastering subject identification here will make pronoun agreement much easier.
This topic also ties into avoiding unnecessary shifts in person and vague reference. Agreement errors and person shifts often appear in the same sentences on exams, so practising one reinforces the other.
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