Subject–Verb Agreement: Rules and Examples

Subject–verb agreement matches the verb to the subject’s person and number. Find the head of the subject phrase rather than following the nearest noun.

Subject-verb agreement means the subject and verb must match in number. Singular subjects need singular verbs, plural subjects need plural verbs! 🎯

Basic Rule: Singular = Singular, Plural = Plural

The dog runs fast.

💡 Singular subject (dog) + singular verb (runs)

The dogs run fast.

💡 Plural subject (dogs) + plural verb (run)

She plays guitar.

💡 Singular pronoun + singular verb

They play guitar.

💡 Plural pronoun + plural verb

Tricky Cases: Words Between Subject and Verb

Don't be fooled! The verb agrees with the SUBJECT, not the noun closest to it.

The box of chocolates is on the table.

💡 Subject is "box" (singular), not "chocolates"

The students in the class are smart.

💡 Subject is "students" (plural), not "class"

One of my friends lives in Paris.

💡 "One" is singular, so use singular verb

Compound Subjects

Tom and Jerry are friends.

💡 Two subjects joined by "and" = plural

Neither the cat nor the dog is here.

💡 "Neither...nor" - verb matches the closer subject

Either my parents or my sister is coming.

💡 "Either...or" - verb matches the closer subject (sister = singular)

Indefinite Pronouns

Always Singular	Always Plural	Can Be Both
everyone, everybody, everything	both, few, many	all, any, more
someone, somebody, something	several, others	most, none, some
anyone, anybody, anything
each, either, neither

Everyone is welcome.

💡 "Everyone" is always singular

Many are called, few are chosen.

💡 "Many" and "few" are always plural

Continue learning

subject verb agreement exercises · Personal Pronouns: Subject and Object Forms

Practice in the 30 Days English Challenge: Day 1: Subject Pronouns: Build Clear English Sentences · Day 23: Each, Either and Neither: Understand the Difference