Being able to find the right subject and verb will help you correct errors of subject-verb agreement.

Basic Rule. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Example: The list of items is/are on the desk. If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb.

Rule 1. A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. This is a key rule for understanding subjects. The word of is the culprit in many, perhaps most, subject-verb mistakes. Hasty writers, speakers, readers, and listeners might miss the all-too-common mistake in the following sentence:

Incorrect: A bouquet of yellow roses lend color and fragrance to the room.Correct: A bouquet of yellow roses lends . . . (bouquet lends, not roses lend)

Rule 2. Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb.

Examples:My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.

Rule 3. The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.

Examples:Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf. Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.

This rule can lead to bumps in the road. For example, if I is one of two (or more) subjects, it could lead to this odd sentence:

Awkward: Neither she, my friends, nor I am going to the festival.

If possible, it’s best to reword such grammatically correct but awkward sentences.

Better:Neither she, I, nor my friends are going to the festival.OR She, my friends, and I are not going to the festival.

Rule 4. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.

Example: A car and a bike are my means of transportation.

But note these exceptions:

Exceptions:Breaking and entering is against the law. The bed and breakfast was charming.

In those sentences, breaking and entering and bed and breakfast are compound nouns.

Rule 5. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc. These words and phrases are not part of the subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular.

Examples:The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly. Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

Rule 6. With words that indicate portions—a lot, a majority, some, all, etc.—Rule 1 given earlier is reversed, and we are guided by the noun after of. If the noun after of is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.

Examples: A lot of the pie has disappeared. A lot of the pies have disappeared. A third of the city is unemployed. A third of the people are unemployed. All of the pie is gone. All of the pies are gone. Some of the pie is missing. Some of the pies are missing.

NOTE

In recent years, the SAT testing service has considered none to be strictly singular. However, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage: “Clearly none has been both singular and plural since Old English and still is. The notion that it is singular only is a myth of unknown origin that appears to have arisen in the 19th century. If in context it seems like a singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable beyond serious criticism.” When none is clearly intended to mean “not one,” it is followed by a singular verb.

Rule 7. In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.

Examples:There are four hurdles to jump. There is a high hurdle to jump. Here are the keys.

NOTE:

The word there’s, a contraction of there is, leads to bad habits in informal sentences like. There’s a lot of people here today, because it’s easier to say “there’s” than “there are.” Take care never to use there’s with a plural subject.

Rule 8. Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when considered as a unit.

Examples:Three miles is too far to walk. Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense. Ten dollars is a high price to pay.BUT Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor.

Rule 9. Some collective nouns, such as family, couple, staff, audience, etc., may take either a singular or a plural verb, depending on their use in the sentence.

Examples:The staff is in a meeting. Staff is acting as a unit. The couple disagree about disciplining their child. The couple refers to two people who are acting as individuals.

NOTE

Anyone who uses a plural verb with a collective noun must take care to be accurate—and also consistent. It must not be done carelessly. The following is the sort of flawed sentence one sees and hears a lot these days:

The staff is deciding how they want to vote. Careful speakers and writers would avoid assigning the singular is and the plural they to staff in the same sentence.

Consistent: The staff are deciding how they want to vote.

Rewriting such sentences is recommended whenever possible. The preceding sentence would read even better as:

The staff members are deciding how they want to vote.

Rule 10. The word were replaces was in sentences that express a wish or are contrary to fact:

Example: If Joe were here, you’d be sorry.

Shouldn’t Joe be followed by was, not were, given that Joe is singular? But Joe isn’t actually here, so we say were, not was. The sentence demonstrates the subjunctive mood, which is used to express things that are hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or factually contradictory. The subjunctive mood pairs singular subjects with what we usually think of as plural verbs.

Examples:I wish it were Friday. She requested that he raise his hand.

In the first example, a wishful statement, not a fact, is being expressed; therefore, were, which we usually think of as a plural verb, is used with the singular subject I. Normally, he raise would sound terrible to us. However, in the second example, where a request is being expressed, the subjunctive mood is correct.Note: The subjunctive mood is losing ground in spoken English but should still be used in formal speech and writing.

1. SummarySingular and plural verbs • 151 Subject-verb agreement means choosing the correct singular or plural verb after the subject.The shop opens at nine. The shops open at nine.Points to note about number and agreementSingular and plural subjects • **152Phil and Janice have* invited us round.Two hours is a long time to wait.One of, a number of, every, there etc.* • 153*A number of problems have arisen.Every cloud has a silver lining.Nouns with a plural form • 154Physics is my favorite subject.Pair nouns • 155These shorts are nice.Group nouns • 156The company is/are building a new factory.Number in the subject and object • 157We all wrote down our names.* NOTE For The dead are not forgotten, • 204. For The French have a word for it, • 288(1d).
2. Singular and plural verbs1 In the third person there is sometimes agreement between the subject and the first (or only) word of a finite verb phrase.The house is empty. The houses are empty. Here we use is with a singular subject and are with a plural. An uncountable noun takes a singular verb.The grass is getting long. 18 AGREEMENT PAGE 192 With a present-tense verb there is agreement.The window is broken. The windows are broken.The office has a phone. The offices have phones.The garden looks nice. The gardens look nice.
3. Singular and plural subjects It is usually easy to decide if a subject is singular or plural, but there are some points to note.1 TWO or more phrases linked by and take a plural verb.Jamie and Emma go sailing at weekends.Both the kitchen and the dining-room face due west.Wheat and maize are exported. But when the two together express something that we see as a single thing, then we use a singular verb.Bread and butter was all we had.2 When two phrases are linked by or, the verb usually agrees with the nearest.Either Thursday or Friday is OK.Either my sister or the neighbors are looking after the dog. 3 A phrase of measurement takes a singular verb.Ten miles is too far to walk. Thirty pounds seems a reasonable price. Here we are talking about the amount as a whole – a distance of ten miles, a sum of thirty pounds, not the individual miles or pounds. Titles and names also take a singular verb when they refer to one thing.‘Star Wars’ was* a very successful film.The Rose and Crown is that old pub by the river.* 4 A phrase with as well as or with does not make the subject plural.George, together with some of his friends, is buying a race-horse. A phrase with and in brackets does not normally make the subject plural.The kitchen (and of course the dining-room) faces due west. There is agreement with be, • 84(2), have, • 85(2), and a present-simple verb*(look)*. A third-person singular subject takes a verb form in s. NOTE a A modal verb always has the same form.The window(s) might be broken. b For the subjunctive, • 242.*We recommend that the pupil receive a special award.*3 With a past-tense verb there is agreement only with be.The window was broken. The windows were broken. With other verbs, there is only one past form.The office(s) had lots of phones. The garden(s) looked nice. NOTE For the subjunctive were, • 242(3).If the story were true, what would it matter? After not only… but also, the verb agrees with the nearest phrase.Not only George but also his friends are buying the horse. NOTE A phrase in apposition does not make the subject plural.George, my neighbor, often goes to the races. 5 If a phrase comes after the noun, the verb agrees with the first noun.The house between the two bungalows is empty. 6 A phrase or clause as subject takes a singular verb.Through the trees is the quickest way.Opening my presents was exciting. 7 Even if the subject comes after the verb, the verb agrees with the subject.A great attraction are the antique shops in the old part ofthe town. Here a great attraction is the complement. It describes the subject, the antiqueshops. PAGE 193 153 One of, a number of, every, there etc.
4. One of, a number of, every, there etc. 1 After a subject with one of, we use a singular verb.One of these letters is for you. 2 When a plural noun follows number of, majority of or a lot of, we normally use a plural verb.A large number of letters were received.The majority of people have complained.A lot of people have complained. Here a number of etc. expresses a quantity. NOTE a When number means ‘figure’, it agrees with the verb.The number of letters we receive is increasing. b Amount agrees with the verb.A large amount of money was collected. Large amounts of money were collected. c After a fraction, the verb agrees with the following noun, e.g. potato, plants.Three quarters (of a potato) is water.Almost half (the plants) were killed. 3 We use a singular verb after a subject with every and each and compounds withevery, some, any and no.Every pupil has to take a test.Each day was the same as the one before.Everyone has to take a test.Someone was waiting at the door.Nothing ever happens in this place. But all and some with a plural noun take a plural verb.All the pupils have to take a test.Some people were waiting at the door. NOTE When each follows a plural subject, the verb is plural.The pupils each have to take a test. 18 AGREEMENT PAGE 194 We use a singular verb after who or what.Who knows the answer? ~ We all do.What’s happened? ~ Several things. After what/which + noun, the verb agrees with the noun.What/Which day is convenient? What/Which days are convenient? NOTE A verb after which is singular or plural depending on how many we are talking about.Which (of these sweaters) goes best with my trousers?~ This one, I think.Which (of these shoes) go best with my trousers? ~ These, I think. After none of/neither of/either of/any of+ plural noun phrase, we can use either a singular or plural verb.None (of the pupils) has/have failed the test.I don’t know if either (of these batteries) is/are any good. The plural verb is more informal. NOTE After no, we can use either the singular or the plural.No pupil has failed/No pupils have failed the test. After there, the verb agrees with its complement.There was an accident. There were some accidents. NOTE In informal English we sometimes use there’s before a plural.There’s some friends of yours outside.
5. Nouns with a plural form 1 Plural noun – plural verb a Some nouns are always plural.The goods were found to be defective. NOT a goodMybelongings have been destroyed in a fire. NOT my belonging Nouns always plural are belongings, clothes, congratulations, earnings, goods,odds (= probability), outskirts, particulars (= details), premises (= building),remains, riches, surroundings, thanks, troops (= soldiers), tropics. NOTE For pair nouns, e.g. glasses, trousers, • 155. b Compare these nouns. Plural onlyhurt my arm(s) and leg(s) arms (= weapons)an old custom go through customsmanner (= way) manners (= polite behavior)the content of the message the contents of the boxa saving of £5 all my savingsdo some damage to the car pay damagesfeel pain(s) in my back take pains (= care) PAGE 195 155 Pair nouns 2 Plural form – singular verbThe news isn’t very good, I’m afraid.Gymnastics looks difficult, and it is. Nouns like this are news; some words for subjects of study: mathematics, statistics,physics, politics, economics; some sports: athletics, gymnastics, bowls; some games:billiards, darts, dominoes, draughts; and some illnesses: measles, mumps, shingles. NOTE Some of these nouns can have normal singular and plural forms when they mean physical things.Tom laid a domino on the table.These statistics are rather complicated. (= these figures)Politics takes a plural verb when it means someone’s views.His politics are very left-wing. (= his political opinions) 3 Nouns with the same singular and plural formA chemical works causes a lot of pollution.Chemical works cause a lot of pollution.Works can mean ‘a factory’ or ‘factories’. When it is plural we use a plural verb. Nouns like this are barracks, crossroads, headquarters, means, series, species, works. NOTEWorks, headquarters and barracks can sometimes be plural when they refer to one building or one group of buildings.These chemical works here cause a lot of pollution.
6. Pair nouns 1 We use a pair noun for something made of two identical parts.glasses/spectacles 2 A pair noun is plural in form and takes a plural verb.These trousers need cleaning. Your new glasses are very nice.I’m looking for some scissors. Those tights are cheap. We cannot use a or numbers, NOT a trouser and NOT two trousers NOTESome pair nouns can be singular before another noun: a trouser leg, a pajama jacket. But: my glasses case. 3 We can use pair(s) of.This pair of trousers needs cleaning.How have three pairs of scissors managed to disappear?trousers scissors 18 AGREEMENT PAGE 196 Some pair nouns are: binoculars, glasses, jeans, pants, pincers, pliers, pajamas,scales (for weighing), scissors, shorts, spectacles, tights, trousers, tweezers. NOTE a Three of these nouns can be singular with a different meaning: a glass of water,a spectacle (= a wonderful sight), a scale of five kilometers to the centimeters. b Most words for clothes above the waist are not pair nouns, e.g. shirt, pullover, suit, coat. c We can also use pair(s) of with socks, shoes, boots, trainers etc. These nouns can be singular: a shoe.
7. Group nouns 1 Group nouns (sometimes called ‘collective nouns’) refer to a group of people, e.g. family, team, crowd. After a singular group noun, the verb can often be either singular or plural.The crowd was/were in a cheerful mood. There is little difference in meaning. The choice depends on whether we see the crowd as a whole or as a number of individuals. NOTE a In the USA a group noun usually takes a singular verb. • 304(1) b A group noun can be plural.The two teams know each other well. c A phrase with of can follow the noun, e.g. a crowd of people, a team of no-hopers. 2 With a singular verb we use it, its and which/that. With a plural verb we use they, their and who/that.The government wants to improve its image.The government want to improve their image.The crowd which has gathered here is in a cheerful mood.The crowd who have gathered here are in a cheerful mood. 3 We use the singular to talk about the whole group. For example, we might refer to the group’s size or make-up, or how it compares with others.The class consists of twelve girls and fourteen boys.The union is the biggest in the country. The plural is more likely when we talk about people’s thoughts or feelings.The class don’t/doesn’t understand what the teacher is saying.The union are/is delighted with their/its pay rise. 4 Some group nouns are:army company group populationassociation council jury pressaudience crew majority publicboard crowd management schoolchoir enemy military society (= club)class family minority staffclub firm navy teamcollege gang orchestra unioncommittee government (political) party universitycommunity NOTE Military, press and public do not have a plural form. NOT the publics 5 The names of institutions, companies and teams are also group nouns, e.g. Parliament, the United Nations, The Post Office, the BBC, Selfridge’s, RankXerox, Manchester United, England (= the England team).Safeway sells/sell organic vegetables.Brazil is/are expected to win. NOTE The United States usually takes a singular verb.The United States has reacted angrily. 6 These nouns have a plural meaning and take a plural verb: police, people,livestock (= farm animals), cattle (= cows), poultry (= hens).The police are questioning a man.Some cattle have got out into the road. NOTE a For details about people, • 296(1) Note b. b When poultry means meat, it is uncountable.Poultry has gone up in price.
8. Number in the subject and object There is sometimes a problem about number with an object. Compare these sentences.The schools have a careers adviser. (A number of schools share the same adviser.)The schools have careers advisers. (Each school has one or more advisers.) When a number of people each have one thing, then the object is usually plural.We put on our coats. They all nodded their heads in agreement. But we use the singular after a subject with each or every.*Each town has its own mayor.*The subject of this sentence is neither, which, when it appears alone, is always singular, requiring the singular verb has.

   Calling All Overachievers: Extra Practice with Hitching Subjects and Verbs

   Sharpen your error-spotting skills. Tucked into the letter in Figure 2-1, written by a master criminal to his accomplice (okay, written by me, and I never even jaywalk, let alone rob banks!) are ten errors in subject-verb agreement and ten incorrect plural forms, for a total of 20 mistakes. Cross out each incorrect verb and plural and replace the error with a new, improved version.

   Answers to Subject and Verb Pairing Problems a clinics. For a regular plural, just add s.

   b nuthouses. Regular plural here: Add an s.

   c thatches. For a noun ending in ch, add es.

   d sexes. To a noun ending in x, add es to form a plural.

   e graphs. Did I fool you? The h at the end of the noun doesn’t, all by itself, call for es. Only words ending in sh or ch require an added es in the plural form. For graph, a plain s will do.

   f turkeys. For nouns ending in ay, ey, and oy, add s to form a plural.

   g women, lashes. The plural of woman is irregular. The second noun ends in sh, so you must tack on es for a plural.

   h sighs. Regular plurals are fun; just add s.

   i belfries. The plural of a noun ending in consonant-y is created by dropping the y and adding ies.

   j deer, squirrels, geese. The first and third nouns form irregular plurals, but good old squirrels follows the rule in which you simply add s to the singular.

   k is, wriggles. You need two singular forms here: blue is and Nadine wriggles.

   l has, suffers. The verbs has and suffers are singular, as they should be, because the subject-verb pairs are hair has and he suffers.

   m are. The plural verb are matches the plural subject we.

   n believe, give. The pronoun you always takes a plural verb such as believe and give.

   o Do, tell. Both verbs are plural, matching the plural subjects you and friends. In the first pair, the subject is tucked between the two parts of the verb because the sentence is a question.

   p Has. You need a singular form here to pair with the singular subject his story. q knows, is. Both answers are singular and match the singular subjects no one and John.

   r has. Because he is singular, the verb has must also be singular.

   s does. The pronoun everyone is singular, so it matches the singular form does.

   t was. The singular verb was matches the singular subject I.

   u were. The subject is guards; there is never a subject. Guards is plural and takes the plural verb were.

   v was. Ignore the interrupters (as well as . . . Alissa) and zero in on the real subject David. Match the singular verb was to the singular subject.

   Matchmaker, Make Me a Match: Pairing Subjects and Verbs Correctly w is. The subject is arrest, not charges or variety. Arrest is singular, so you need the singular verb is.

   x were. Add one movie director to one agent and what do you get? A big fat check, that’s what . . .and a plural subject that takes the plural verb were.

   y include. The subject is offers, which matches the plural verb include. Everything else is camouflage.

   A waddle. The subjects in this sentence appear at the end of the sentence. David and Kristin = plural, so pair them with the plural verb waddle.

   B has. Pay no attention to series, which is a distraction. The real subject is producer, which needs the singular verb has.

   C is. The little word or tells you to take the subjects one at a time, thus requiring the singular verb is.

   D Is. The subject is hope, which takes the singular verb is.

   E broadcasts. The subject is Network. Don’t be distracted by the interrupter but not its partner stations. Network needs the singular verb broadcasts.

   F are. You can count dancers, so are is best.

   G has. Without a partner, either is always singular and rates a singular verb, such as has.

   H is. The word every may as well be Kryptonite, because it has the power to change seat and balcony to a singular concept requiring the singular verb is.

   I does. The subject is no one, which is singular, so it must be paired with does, a singular verb.

   J have. The pronoun most may be singular (if it’s used with a measurable quantity) or plural (if it’s used with a countable quantity). You can count songs, so the plural have is best.

   K has, is. The pronouns ending in -one are always singular, even though they seem to convey a plural idea at times. They need to be matched with singular verbs. L is. The closest subject is Lola, so the singular verb is wins the prize, the only prize likely to be associated with Lola’s musical.

   M have. The pronoun any may be either singular or plural, depending upon the quantity to which it refers. Reviews may be counted (and you can be sure that Lola’s investors will count them extremely carefully), so any takes the plural verb have in this sentence.

   N Has. This sentence can be decided by distance. The sentence has two subjects, director and musicians. The verb in this sentence has two parts, has and agreed. The subject director is closer to the part of the verb that changes (the has or the have); agreed is the same for both singular and plural subjects. The changeable part of the verb is the one that governs the singular/plural issue. Because that part of the verb is near the singular subject director, the singular has is correct.

   O agrees. The singular verb agrees matches the singular subject everyone.

   P are. The pronoun most can be either singular or plural. In this sentence, members can be counted (and it won’t take too long, either, once the reviews are in), so the plural verb are is what you want.

   Q has. The pronoun neither is always singular and needs to be paired with the singular verb has.

   R is. Did I catch you here? The expression 20 tattoos suggests plural, but the subject is actually one, a singular.

   S are. You can count tattoos, so the pronoun some is a plural subject and needs to match the plural verb are.

   T has. The word each has the power to turn any subject to singular; has is a singular verb.

   U is. You can measure, but not count, fame, so a singular verb matches the singular pronoun all.

   V believe. Accountants are countable, so all is plural in this sentence and needs the plural verb believe.

   W Has. The pronoun someone, like all the pronouns ending in -one, is singular, and so is the verb has.

   X are, enters. In an either/or sentence, go with the closer subject, in this case, producers. Because producers is plural, it is paired with are, a plural verb. The singular verb enters matches the singular pronoun nobody. All pronouns ending with -body are singular.

   Y is. The word every has the ability to make the subject singular, matching the singular verb is.

   z has. The pronoun neither is singular, so the singular verb has is needed here. Z has. Pronouns ending in -one are always singular and thus always match with singular verbs. Here the subject is someone, so has wins.

   1 are. The pronoun both is plural, as is the verb are.

   2 Was. This sentence illustrates a common error. The pronoun either is singular and calls for the singular verb was. If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone pair either with a plural, I could retire to a luxury hotel and sip margaritas all day.

   3 Is. A sentence with an either/or combo is easy; just match the verb to the closest subject. In this sentence, the singular Lola is closer to the verb than brothers, so you need a singular verb.

   4 believe. The pronoun most shifts from singular to plural and back, depending upon context. If it’s associated with something that you can count (such as us), it’s plural. Tacked onto something that you can measure but not count (fame, perhaps), most becomes singular. Here most is plural and joins with the plural verb believe. 5 sparkle. Some is a pronoun that may be either singular or plural, like most in the preceding explanation. Here it’s associated with Oscars, a countable item. Thus the plural verb sparkle is the one you want.

   6 is. This sentence has another changeable pronoun; this time it’s all. As explained in the preceding two answers, all is singular if it’s attached to something that you can’t count, such as attention. Go for the singular verb is.

   7 attend. Any sentence with a neither/nor pair requires a ruler: The subject that’s closer to the verb dominates. If the closer subject is singular, go for a singular verb. If the closer subject is plural, opt for a plural verb. In this sentence the plural costars is closer to the verb than the singular Tom Cruise, so a plural verb (that is, attend) is called for.

   Laying Out the Concrete Slab: Grammar Basics

   Matchmaker, Make Me a Match: Pairing Subjects and Verbs Correctly 8 is. Each is a magic word that automatically creates a singular subject, no matter what it precedes. The logic is that each requires you to think of the subject as a series of singular units.

   Pair each with the singular verb is.

   !https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/17a07f52-92c4-410a-8123-1a1a107edf06/image1.png

   0 To form the plural of a word ending in consonant-y, change the y to i and add es.

   ! To form the plural of a word ending in vowel-y, just add s.

   Laying Out the Concrete Slab: Grammar Basics @ The singular subject of the verb to go is heart, which in this sentence is located after the verb, an unusual but legal spot. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and goes is singular.

   Honey ends in vowel-y, so just add s to form the plural.

   $ The sentence has two subjects connected with either/or. The closer subject is my honey, which is singular and takes a singular verb. The interrupter best of all possible honeys has no bearing on the subject/verb match. % Fish has an irregular plural — fish.

   ^ Every creates a singular subject, so you need the singular verb is.

   & Bear, unlike fish and deer, forms a regular plural. Just add s.

   • The except for my cellmate may distract you, but the true subject is I and all the other prisoners, a plural, which pairs with have.

   ( Two months = plural, so use the plural verb have.

   Time may sometimes be singular (“Five minutes is a long time”) when you’re referring to the total amount as one block of time. In question 71, David is counting the months separately, so plural is better.

   ) Everyone, as well as all the pronouns with the word one tucked inside, is singular and takes the singular verb is.

   • The pronoun you can refer to one person or to a group, but it always takes a plural verb.

   _ To form the plural of a noun ending in x, add es.

   = The noun ski is regular, so to form the plural, just add s.

   • You always takes a plural verb, in this case it’s are.

   [ Here can’t be a subject, so look after the verb. Voila! Tickets, a plural, takes the plural verb are.

   { Many things separate men and women, but both form their plurals in the same way — by changing the a to e. Hence, policemen, not policemans.

   ] Loot is whatever you get from a crime (not counting a criminal record), whether it be one diamond or a thousand Yankee tickets. Loots doesn’t exist. } To form the plural of a noun ending in ch, add es.