What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement means that the subject and verb in a sentence must match. The verb should agree with the subject in number and person.
A singular subject usually takes a singular verb. A plural subject usually takes a plural verb.
For example, The boy plays football is correct. The boys play football is also correct because the subjects differ.
This grammar rule appears frequently in English examinations. Students may encounter it in sentence completion, error identification and grammar questions.
Basic Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Rule 1: Singular Subjects Take Singular Verbs
A singular subject normally takes a singular verb in the present tense.
Examples:
- The student reads every evening.
- The teacher explains the lesson.
- My brother works in Lagos.
The -s ending often appears with singular third-person subjects. This pattern can confuse students because plural nouns usually end in -s.
Compare these examples:
- The boy runs fast.
- The boys run fast.
The subject determines the correct verb form.
Rule 2: Plural Subjects Take Plural Verbs
Plural subjects generally take plural verbs in the present tense.
Examples:
- The students study together.
- The teachers mark the scripts.
- The players train every morning.
Notice the difference between the singular and plural forms.
The student studies.
The students study.
Understanding this difference can help you avoid common examination errors.
Rule 3: I and You Follow Special Patterns
The subjects I and you do not always follow the same pattern as third-person subjects.
Examples include:
- I am ready.
- You are ready.
- I have a book.
- You have a book.
However, the past form often remains the same.
For example:
- I was present.
- You were present.
Students should memorise these common patterns through regular practice.
Important Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Rule 4: Two Subjects Joined by “And” Usually Take a Plural Verb
When two subjects join with and, they usually require a plural verb.
Examples:
- John and Musa are classmates.
- The teacher and the student have arrived.
- English and Mathematics are important subjects.
The two subjects form a plural subject.
However, some expressions joined by and describe one person, thing or idea. Such expressions can take a singular verb.
For example:
- Bread and butter is my usual breakfast.
Here, the expression describes one combined meal.
Rule 5: Subjects Joined by “Or” or “Nor”
When subjects join with or or nor, the verb usually agrees with the nearer subject.
Examples:
- The teacher or the students are responsible.
- The students or the teacher is responsible.
- Neither Musa nor his friends are available.
Look carefully at the subject closest to the verb. That position often determines the correct form.
Rule 6: Indefinite Pronouns Can Take Singular Verbs
Words such as everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, anyone and nobody usually take singular verbs.
Examples:
- Everyone is ready.
- Everybody has a ticket.
- Someone knows the answer.
- Nobody was absent.
Although these words refer to several people in some contexts, grammar treats them as singular.
Rule 7: “Each” and “Every” Take Singular Verbs
The words each and every usually require singular verbs.
Examples:
- Each student has a notebook.
- Every candidate needs an examination number.
- Each of the players is ready.
Do not allow the plural noun after each of to confuse you.
For example:
Each of the students is prepared.
The subject is each, not students.
Rule 8: Collective Nouns Need Careful Attention
Collective nouns refer to groups. Examples include team, family, committee, class and government.
These nouns can take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit.
For example:
- The team is ready.
- The committee has reached a decision.
- The class is studying.
The meaning can influence the choice in some varieties of English. For exam writing, follow the grammatical pattern expected by the question.
Rule 9: Words Between the Subject and Verb Do Not Change Agreement
Students sometimes choose the verb based on a nearby noun. This approach can produce errors.
Consider this sentence:
The list of examination topics is on the table.
The subject is list, not topics. Therefore, the singular verb is is correct.
Another example is:
The students in the classroom are ready.
The subject is students, so are agrees with it.
Ignore extra phrases temporarily when identifying the main subject.
Rule 10: Some Titles and Names Take Singular Verbs
A title, name or phrase that refers to one thing can take a singular verb.
Examples:
- Things Fall Apart is a famous novel.
- The United States is a country.
- Mathematics is my favourite subject.
The form of the word does not always determine its grammatical number. Always consider what the expression represents.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Matching the Verb With the Nearest Noun
Students often choose a verb based on the noun closest to it.
For example:
The box of books is heavy.
The correct verb is is because box is the subject.
Mistake 2: Treating “Everyone” as Plural
Although everyone refers to many people, it takes a singular verb.
Correct:
Everyone is present.
Incorrect:
Everyone are present.
Mistake 3: Confusing “Each” With “They”
The word each takes a singular verb in standard subject-verb agreement questions.
Correct:
Each student has a pen.
Incorrect:
Each student have a pen.
Mistake 4: Ignoring the Main Subject
Long sentences can hide the real subject. Find the main subject before selecting the verb.
For example:
The list of successful candidates is available.
The subject is list, not candidates.
Subject-Verb Agreement Practice Questions
Choose the correct option.
1. The student _____ to school every morning.
A. walk
B. walks
C. walking
D. have walked
Answer: B. walks
2. The students _____ their assignments every week.
A. submits
B. submitting
C. submit
D. has submitted
Answer: C. submit
3. Everyone _____ expected to attend the meeting.
A. are
B. were
C. have
D. is
Answer: D. is
4. Each of the candidates _____ an examination number.
A. have
B. has
C. having
D. are having
Answer: B. has
5. The teacher and the students _____ in the classroom.
A. is
B. was
C. are
D. has
Answer: C. are
6. The list of successful candidates _____ available.
A. are
B. were
C. have
D. is
Answer: D. is
7. Neither the teacher nor the students _____ ready.
A. is
B. are
C. was
D. has
Answer: B. are
8. My brother _____ a new English textbook.
A. have
B. are having
C. has
D. have had
Answer: C. has
9. Mathematics _____ an important subject for many students.
A. are
B. were
C. have
D. is
Answer: D. is
10. The committee _____ reached a decision.
A. have
B. are
C. has
D. were
Answer: C. has
Read More: How to Identify the Correct Meaning of Words in English Exams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement means matching the verb with the subject in number and person.
What are the basic rules of subject-verb agreement?
Singular subjects generally take singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs. Special rules apply to expressions such as each, everyone, either and neither.
Does “everyone” take a singular verb?
Yes. Words such as everyone, everybody and someone normally take singular verbs.
For example, Everyone is ready is correct.
Does “each” take a singular verb?
Yes. Each normally takes a singular verb.
For example, Each student has a book is correct.
Why is subject-verb agreement important in exams?
Examinations often test agreement through sentence completion and error identification. Strong knowledge of the rules can help students avoid losing easy marks.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement forms an important part of English grammar. Students need to understand how different subjects affect verb forms.
Focus on singular and plural subjects first. Then practise special cases involving and, or, nor, each, every and indefinite pronouns.
Regular practice can improve your accuracy in grammar questions. These skills can also support better performance in JAMB, WAEC, NECO and other English examinations.
