Subject/Verb Agreement

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.

• Example (Singular): The cat runs across the street.

• Example (Plural): The cats run across the street.

2. Compound subjects joined by "and" take a plural verb.

• Example: My brother and sister are coming to dinner.

3. If two singular subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," use a singular verb.

• Example: Neither the teacher nor the student wants to cancel class.

4. If a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

• Example: Neither the students nor the teacher is happy.

• Example: Neither the teacher nor the students are happy.

5. Indefinite pronouns usually take singular verbs.

• Example: Everyone loves a good story.

• Example: Somebody is knocking at the door.

Exception: Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., "few," "many," "both," "several") take plural verbs.

• Example: Few know the truth.

6. Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs depending on meaning.

• Example: The team is winning. (acting as one unit)

• Example The family was happy to be here.

• Example (plural): The families were happy to be here. 

7. Titles, names of organizations, and singular nouns ending in "s" take singular verbs.

• Example: The United States is a large country.

• Example: "The Great Gatsby" is my favorite book.

8. Sentences that begin with "there is" or "there are" match the verb to the subject that follows.

• Example: There is a book on the table.

• Example: There are many books on the table.

Would you like more practice examples?