Subject Verb Agreement

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What is subject-verb agreement?

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Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its verb.

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When should a singular verb be used?

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A singular verb should be used when the subject is singular, meaning it refers to one person, place, thing, or idea.

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When should a plural verb be used?

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A plural verb should be used when the subject is plural, meaning it refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea.

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What is the verb form for the singular third person?

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The verb form for the singular third person typically adds an 's' or 'es' to the base form of the verb (e.g., he runs, she watches).

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What is the verb form for the plural subject?

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The verb form for a plural subject is the base form of the verb without any additional endings (e.g., they run, we watch).

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How does the presence of phrases affect subject-verb agreement?

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Phrases that describe the subject do not change the number of the subject; the verb must still agree with the main subject.

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What is an example of a collective noun?

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A collective noun refers to a group of individuals or things considered as a single unit, such as 'team,' 'flock,' or 'class.'

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How does a collective noun affect verb agreement?

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Collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.

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What is the rule for subjects joined by 'and'?

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When subjects are joined by 'and,' they typically require a plural verb.

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What is the rule for subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor'?

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When subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.