Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord)
The Golden Rule: A singular subject must take a singular verb, and a plural subject must take a plural verb. Master these 8 tricky rules, then prove your skills in the arena!
1. The Basic Rule ⚖️
Singular subjects need singular verbs (usually ending in -s). Plural subjects need plural verbs (no -s).
Example: The dog barks. The dogs bark.
2. Joined by ‘And’ 🤝
When two or more subjects are joined by ‘and’, they make a plural subject and take a plural verb.
Example: The teacher and the student are in the classroom.
3. Phrases in Between 🔍
Do not be tricked by words that come between the subject and the verb. Find the true subject!
Example: The box of chocolates is empty. (Box is singular, ignore chocolates).
4. Either / Or 🔄
With either/or and neither/nor, the verb agrees with the noun that is closest to it.
Example: Neither the players nor the coach is coming. (Coach is singular).
5. Indefinite Pronouns 👤
Words like everyone, someone, nobody, anybody, each always take a singular verb.
Example: Everyone has finished the test. Each of the boys gets a prize.
6. Collective Nouns 👥
Words like team, family, jury, group represent a single unit and usually take a singular verb.
Example: The football team is practicing hard today.
7. Distances & Money 📏
Periods of time, sums of money, and distances are considered a single unit. They take singular verbs.
Example: Ten miles is a long distance to walk.
8. Tricky Plurals 👖
Words like scissors, trousers, glasses are plural. But if you add “A pair of”, it becomes singular.
Example: The scissors are sharp. A pair of scissors is on the desk.
Agreement Arena
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