Subject-Verb Agreement - Cheat Sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for Chapter: Subject-Verb Agreement. Master all agreement rules in 30 minutes!
Basic Agreement Rules
Important facts
- It is the simple subject that continuously determines the number of the verb
- Subject-verb agreement applies to present tense and past forms of 'to be' (was/were)
- Singular subjects match singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs
- Third person singular pronouns (he, she, it) take singular verbs
- First and second person pronouns (I, you, we, they) take plural verbs except 'I am/was'
Key definitions
Subject-Verb Agreement
Example
She runs (singular) vs They run (plural)
Unity of verb and subject in person and number - singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs
Simple Subject
Example
The box of pencils belongs (subject is 'box', not 'pencils')
The main noun or pronoun that determines verb number, ignoring modifying phrases
Tricky Sentence Structures
Important facts
- Here is/There is + singular subject; Here are/There are + plural subject
- In interrogative sentences, subject usually comes between helping and main verb
- Imperatives have understood subject 'you' - always take plural verbs
- In passive sentences, subject is acted upon, not the doer
- Cross out prepositional phrases and clauses between subject and verb
Key definitions
Expletives
Example
There are five men walking (subject: men)
Sentences beginning with 'here is/are' or 'there is/are' - subject comes after verb
Reversed Order
Example
Among the ingredients is sugar → Sugar is among the ingredients
Subject comes after main verb - rearrange to identify subject
Peculiar Subjects
Common values
Value
singular verb
Symbol
The number of students is...
Quantity
The number
Value
plural verb
Symbol
A number of students are...
Quantity
A number
Important facts
- Distance, time, money, measurements as units = singular verb (Twenty miles is far)
- Gerunds, infinitives, noun clauses as subjects = singular verb
- Book titles, movie titles = singular verb regardless of plural form
- Nouns ending in -s but singular meaning: statistics, economics, mumps, measles, news
- Always plural nouns: glasses, scissors, pants, trousers, pliers
- Subjunctive 'were' replaces 'was' in wishes/contrary-to-fact statements
Key definitions
Collective Nouns
Example
The team wins (as unit) vs The team are arguing (individuals)
Singular when acting as one unit, plural when referring to individual members
Noncount Nouns
Example
Information was helpful; News is good
Always take singular verbs regardless of appearance
Compound Subjects and Conjunctions
Important facts
- Subjects joined by 'and' = plural verb (except when one unit)
- Subjects joined by 'or', 'nor', 'either-or', 'neither-nor' = verb agrees with nearer subject
- Positive + negative compound: verb agrees with positive subject
- Intervening phrases (with, along with, as well as, together with) don't affect verb number
- If compound has singular + plural: verb agrees with nearer subject
Key definitions
Compound Subject with AND
Example
John and Pete are here vs Bacon and egg is breakfast
Usually plural unless subjects form one unit
Either-Or/Neither-Nor Rule
Example
Neither students nor teacher is ready
Verb agrees with nearer subject to the verb
Indefinite Pronouns
Important facts
- Singular indefinites: anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody, each, every, everybody, somebody, everything, something, nothing, anything, either, neither
- Plural indefinites: both, few, many, several
- Variable indefinites: all, any, most, none, some - depend on 'of' phrase that follows
- Fractions/percentages: verb agrees with noun after 'of' phrase
- Demonstrative pronouns: this/that = singular; these/those = plural
Key definitions
Singular Indefinites
Example
Everyone wants to attend; Nothing is wrong
Always take singular verbs: each, every, either, neither, everyone, somebody, nothing
Plural Indefinites
Example
Both are coming; Many prefer online classes
Always take plural verbs: both, few, many, several
Must remember
- Singular subjects take singular verbs (-s form); plural subjects take plural verbs (base form)
- Cross out prepositional phrases between subject and verb to find true subject
- Either-or/Neither-nor: verb agrees with NEARER subject
- The number = singular; A number = plural
- Each, every, either, neither = always singular
- Both, few, many, several = always plural
- Collective nouns: singular as unit, plural as individuals
- Here/There sentences: subject comes AFTER verb
- Money, time, distance as amounts = singular verb
- Book titles and proper nouns = singular verb regardless of form
Last minute tips
- When in doubt, find the subject first by asking 'who' or 'what' before the verb
- Cover intervening phrases with your hand to see subject-verb connection clearly
- For either-or/neither-nor, always look at the subject closest to the verb
- Remember: 'The number IS' but 'A number ARE' - memorize this pattern
- If you see 'each' or 'every', the answer is almost always singular
Comparison tables
Singular vs Plural Indefinite Pronouns
| Always Singular | Always Plural | Variable (depends on context) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples | each, every, either, neither, everyone, somebody, nothing | both, few, many, several | all, any, most, none, some |
| Verb Form | Singular (-s form) | Plural (base form) | Depends on 'of' phrase |
| Sample | Everyone is here | Both are ready | Some of the cake is/are gone |
The Number vs A Number
| The Number | A Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Verb Form | Singular | Plural |
| Focus | Emphasizes the total/quantity | Emphasizes the items/individuals |
| Example | The number of students is 50 | A number of students are absent |
Compound Subject Conjunctions
| Conjunction | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| AND | Usually plural (except one unit) | John and Mary are here |
| OR/NOR | Agrees with nearer subject | John or his friends are coming |
| EITHER-OR/NEITHER-NOR | Agrees with nearer subject | Either John or Mary is responsible |
| NOT ONLY-BUT ALSO | Agrees with nearer subject | Not only students but also teacher is ready |
Diagrams
Subject-Verb Agreement Overview
Complete overview of all subject-verb agreement concepts showing relationships between different rule categories
Subject-Verb Agreement Decision Process
Step-by-step decision tree for determining correct verb form in any subject-verb agreement situation
Agreement Rule Priority
Sequential priority for applying subject-verb agreement rules when multiple rules might apply