SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

12 RULES
1. In the present tense, third person, use
verbs ending in –s with singular subjects.

I require attention. (1st person, singular,

no –s is needed.)

A dog requires attention. (3rd person

singular, an –s is needed.)
 

Dogs require attention. (–s indicates a

plural subject, but the verb does not ne
ed an –s.)
1. In the present tense, third person,
use verbs ending in –s with singular
subjects.
SINGULAR SUBJECT  SINGULAR VERB (-s)
1. In the present tense, third person,
use verbs ending in –s with singular
subjects.
SINGULAR SUBJECT  SINGULAR VERB (-s)

He likes pasta.
1. In the present tense, third person,
use verbs ending in –s with singular
subjects.
PLURAL SUBJECT (-s)  PLURAL VERB
1. In the present tense, third person,
use verbs ending in –s with singular
subjects.
PLURAL SUBJECT (-s)  PLURAL VERB

My friends like pasta.

1. In the present tense, third person,
use verbs ending in –s with singular
subjects.

• SINGULAR SUBJECT  SINGULAR VERB (-s)

He likes pasta.
• PLURAL SUBJECT (-s)  PLURAL VERB

My friends like pasta.

. A plural verb is used when a
compound subject follows it.

In the room, there are

a boy, a girl, and a box.
A plural verb is used when a
compound subject follows it.

In the room, there are

a boy, a girl, and a box.

A boy, a girl, and a

box are in the room.
c
2. The verb must agree with its
simple subject even though
modifying phrases or clauses
come between the simple subject and
its verb.
2. The verb must agree with its
simple subject even though
modifying phrases or clauses
come between the simple subject and
its verb.

* ALWAYS LOOK FOR TH

E SIMPLE SUBJECT
2. The verb must agree with its
simple subject even though
modifying phrases or clauses
come between the simple subject and
its verb.

The recommendation of two

policemen, a judge, and three
lawyers was / were accepted.
2. The verb must agree with its
simple subject even though
modifying phrases or clauses
come between the simple subject and
its verb.

The recommendation of two

policemen, a judge, and three
lawyers was / were accepted.
2. The verb must agree with its
simple subject even though
modifying phrases or clauses
come between the simple subject and
its verb.

The recommendation of
two policemen, a judge, and t
hree lawyers was / were acce
pted.
2. The verb must agree with its
simple subject even though
modifying phrases or clauses
come between the simple subject and
its verb.

The recommendation of
two policemen, a judge, and t
hree lawyers was accepted.
2. The verb must agree with its
simple subject even though
modifying phrases or clauses
come between the simple subject and
its verb.

A set of skis is / are given.

2. The verb must agree with its
simple subject even though
modifying phrases or clauses
come between the simple subject and
its verb.

A set of skis is / are given.

A set of skis is / are given.

 2. The verb must agree with its
simple subject even though
modifying phrases or clauses
come between the simple subject and
its verb.

A set of skis is / are given.

A set of skis is / are given.

 A set of skis is given.
3. Words such as ―including,
―together with, and ―as well as
introduce modifying elements
that are generally set off by
commas. Since these elements
are not part of the subject, they
do not influence the choice of
singular or plural verbs—
3. Words such as ―including,
―together with, and ―as well as
introduce modifying elements
that are generally set off by
commas. Since these elements
are not part of the subject, they
do not influence the choice of
singular or plural verbs—
ignore them!
3.
examples:

The delinquent, as well as his

mom and dad, was / were in
the detention hall.
3.
examples:

The delinquent, as well as his

mom and dad, was / were in
the detention hall.
3.
examples:

The delinquent, as well as

his mom and dad, was / were
in the detention hall.
3.
examples:

The delinquent, as well as

his mom and dad, was in the
detention hall.
3.
examples:

Anna, together with her friends,

go /goes to the mall every
Saturday.
3.
examples:

Anna, together with her friends,

go /goes to the mall every
Saturday.
3.
examples:

Anna, together with her friends,

go /goes to the mall every
Saturday.
3.
examples:

Anna, together with her friends,

goes to the mall every
Saturday.
3.
examples:

My boss, as well as her staff,

conduct / conducts a meeting
every 5 pm.
3.
examples:

My boss, as well as her staff,

conduct / conducts a meeting
every 5 pm.
3.
examples:

My boss, as well as her staff,

conduct / conducts a meeting
every 5 pm.
3.
examples:

My boss, as well as her staff,

conduct / conducts a meeting
every 5 pm.
3.
examples:

My boss, as well as her staff,

conducts a meeting
every 5 pm.
3.
examples:

My boss, as well as her staff,

conducts a meeting
every 5 pm.
4. When two nouns are connected
by some form of the verb to be,
the first noun is the
grammatical subject, and the verb
agrees with it.
4. When two nouns are connected
by some form of the verb to be,
the first noun is the
grammatical subject, and the verb
agrees with it.

The first thing we

noticed was / were
the shoes.
4. When two nouns are connected
by some form of the verb to be,
the first noun is the
grammatical subject, and the verb
agrees with it.

The first thing we

noticed was / were
the shoes.
4. When two nouns are connected
by some form of the verb to be,
the first noun is the
grammatical subject, and the verb
agrees with it.

The first thing we

noticed was / were
the shoes.
4. When two nouns are connected
by some form of the verb to be,
the first noun is the
grammatical subject, and the verb
agrees with it.

The first thing we

noticed was
the shoes.
4. When two nouns are connected
by some form of the verb to be,
the first noun is the
grammatical subject, and the verb
agrees with it.

The shoes was/ were

the first thing we
noticed.
4. When two nouns are connected
by some form of the verb to be,
the first noun is the
grammatical subject, and the verb
agrees with it.

The shoes was/ were

the first thing we
noticed.
4. When two nouns are connected
by some form of the verb to be,
the first noun is the
grammatical subject, and the verb
agrees with it.

The shoes was/ were

the first thing we
noticed.
4. When two nouns are connected
by some form of the verb to be,
the first noun is the
grammatical subject, and the verb
agrees with it.

The shoes were th

e first thing we
noticed.
5. If the verb precedes the
subject, determine the subje
ct and make the verb agree
with it.
Above a cluster of
convents rise / rises the
Cathedral of St. John.
Above a cluster of
convents rise / rises the
Cathedral of St. John.
Above a cluster of
convents rise / rises the
Cathedral of St. John.
Above a cluster of
convents rises the
Cathedral of St. John.
6 .In sentences beginning with
here is/are or there is/are,
look for the subject after
the
verb
6 .In sentences beginning with
here is/are or there is/are,
look for the subject after
the
verb
There is / are a new
student in their class.
6 .In sentences beginning with
here is/are or there is/are,
look for the subject after
the
verb
There is / are a new
student in their class.
6 .In sentences beginning with
here is/are or there is/are,
look for the subject after
the
verb
There is / are a new
student in their
class.
6 .In sentences beginning with
here is/are or there is/are,
look for the subject after
the
verb
is a new
There
student in their
class.
6 .In sentences beginning with
here is/are or there is/are,
look for the subject after
the
verb
Here is / are the
papers that you have
been looking for.
6 .In sentences beginning with
here is/are or there is/are,
look for the subject after
the
verb
Here is / are the
papers that you have
been looking for.
6 .In sentences beginning with
here is/are or there is/are,
look for the subject after
the
verb
Here is / are the
papers that you
have been looking for.
6 .In sentences beginning with
here is/are or there is/are,
look for the subject after
the
verb
Here are the
papers that you
have been looking for.
7. Subjects connected by
and are generally plural.
7. Subjects connected by
and are generally plural.

San Marcos and

San Antonio is / are
in Texas.
7. Subjects connected by
and are generally plural.

San Marcos and

San Antonio is / are
in Texas.
7. Subjects connected by
and are generally plural.

San Marcos and

San Antonio are
in Texas.
7. Subjects connected by
and are generally plural.

Exception: If the subject

joined by and refers to
only one thing, the verb
is also singular.
7.
Exception: If the subject joined by and refers to
only one thing, the verb is also singular.

Pride and Prejudice is

my favorite.
7.
Exception: If the subject joined by and refers to
only one thing, the verb is also singular.

Pride and Prejudice

is my favorite.
7.
Exception: If the subject joined by and refers to
only one thing, the verb is also singular.

Pride and Prejudice

is my favorite.
(title of 1 book)
7.
Exception: If the subject joined by and refers to
only one thing, the verb is also singular.

My aunt and teacher is nice.

My aunt and my teacher are

nice.
7.
Exception: If the subject joined by and refers to
only one thing, the verb is also singular.

My aunt and teacher is nice.

My aunt and my teacher are

nice.
7.
Exception: If the subject joined by and refers to
only one thing, the verb is also singular.

My (aunt and teacher) is nice.

My (aunt) and my (teacher) are

nice.