Subject-verb agreement means the subject and verb must agree in number. This means both need to be singular or both need to be plural.

Regular verbs follow a predictable pattern. For example, in the third person singular, regular verbs always end in -s. Other forms of regular verbs do not end in -s. Study the following regular verb forms in the present tense. 

I wish/He wishes 

I fix/She fixes 

I watch/It watches 

I kiss/He kisses. 

Many singular subjects can be made plural by adding an -s. Most regular verbs in the present tense end with an -s in the third person singular. This does not make the verbs plural. 

Singular subject, singular verb 

The cat races across the yard. 

Plural subject, plural verb 

The cats race across the yard. 

• A sentence contains a compound   

• The subject of the sentence is separate from the verb 

• The subject of the sentence is an indefinite pronoun, such as anyone or everyone   

• The subject of the sentence is a collective noun, such as team or organisation

• The subject appears after the verb  

Recognising the sources of common errors in subject-verb agreement will help you avoid these errors in your writing.  

A compound subject is formed by two or more nouns and the coordinating conjunctions and, or, or nor. A compound subject can be made of singular subjects, plural subjects, or a combination of singular and plural subjects.

Indefinite pronouns refer to an unspecified person, thing, or number. When an indefinite pronoun serves as the subject of a sentence, you will often use a singular verb form. However, keep in mind that exceptions arise. Some indefinite pronouns may require a plural verb form. To determine whether to use a singular or plural verb with an indefinite pronoun, consider the noun that the pronoun would refer to. If the noun is plural, then use a plural verb with the indefinite pronoun. View the chart to see a list of common indefinite pronouns and the verb forms they agree with. 

Singular 

Everybody in the kitchen sings along when that song comes on the radio. 

The indefinite pronoun everybody takes a singular verb form because everybody refers to a group performing the same action as a single unit. 

Plural 

All the people in the kitchen sing along when that song comes on the radio. 

The indefinite pronoun all takes a plural verb form because all refers to the plural noun people. Because people is plural, all is plural.  

Singular 

All the cake is on the floor. 

In this sentence, the indefinite pronoun all takes a singular verb form because all refers to the singular noun cake. Because cake is singular, all is singular. 

A collective noun a noun that identifies more than one person, place, or thing and considers those people, places, or things one singular unit. Because collective nouns are counted as one, they are singular and require a singular verb. Some commonly used collective nouns are group, team, army, flock, family, and class.

Singular 

The class is going on a field trip. 

In this sentence, class is a collective noun. Although the class consists of many students, the class is treated as a singular unit and requires a singular verb form. 

You may encounter sentences in which the subject comes after the verb instead of before the verb. In other words, the subject of the sentence may not appear where you expect it to appear. To ensure proper subject-verb agreement, you must correctly identify the subject and the verb. 

Here or There 

In sentences that begin with here or there, the subject follows the verb. 

Here is my wallet! 

There are thirty dolphins in the water. 

If you have trouble identifying the subject and the verb in sentences that start with here or there; it may help to reverse the order of the sentence so the subject comes first. 

My wallet is here! 

Thirty dolphins are in the water. 

Questions 

When you ask questions, a question word (who, what, where, when, why, or how) appears first. The verb and then the subject follow. 

Who are the people you are related to? 

When am I going to go to the grocery store? 

Tip 

If you have trouble finding the subject and the verb in questions, try answering the question being asked. 

When am I going to the supermarket? I am going to the supermarket tonight!