Grammar
Subject verb agreement: make subjects and verbs match
A long subject can make a simple sentence feel difficult. Find who or what does the action first, then choose the verb that matches that word.
Match a verb with its singular or plural subject in common sentences.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Every member has a copy of the schedule. /ˈevri ˈmembə hæz ə ˈkɒpi əv ðə ˈʃedjuːl/
The short answer
Find the main subject, decide whether it is singular or plural, and choose the verb form that matches it. Ignore extra nouns in phrases that describe the subject.
The key to the cabinets is on the desk.
Why it works: Key is the singular subject. Cabinets is part of a phrase that describes the key.
5 more examples
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The report needs one more table.
Report is singular, so the present simple verb has -s.
Not this:The reports
needone more table each. What changes: Reports is plural, so the verb has no -s. -
The boxes of spare cables are under the counter.
Boxes is the main subject. The phrase of spare cables gives more information about the boxes.
Not this:The box of spare cables
isunder the counter. What changes: Box is singular, even though cables is plural. -
Every applicant brings an ID card.
Every refers to people one by one, so it takes a singular verb.
Not this:All applicants
bringan ID card. What changes: Applicants is plural, so use bring. -
There are two seats near the window.
Seats is plural, so use are after there.
Not this:There
isone seat near the window. What changes: Seat is singular, so use is. -
The number of visitors has increased.
The subject is number, which is singular. Of visitors describes the number.
Not this:A number of visitors
havearrived early. What changes: A number of means several visitors, so the verb is plural.
Read the full guide
Start by finding the subject. Ask who or what does the action, or who or what is being described. Then choose a singular or plural verb to match that subject. Do not let a noun inside a longer phrase change your choice.
Find the main subject
The subject is the person, thing, or idea that does the action or has the description. Find that word before you look at the verb. A sentence may have several nouns, but only one is usually the main subject.
The manager of the stores checks the weekly figures.
Manager is the subject. Stores is inside a phrase that describes the manager.
Match singular and plural forms
In the present simple, use a verb ending in -s with he, she, it, and other singular subjects. Use the base form with plural subjects. The pattern is different from nouns: one manager works, but two managers work.
The delivery arrives at noon.
The deliveries arrive at noon.
Choose the verb: The new forms arrive or arrives every Monday?
Use arrive. Forms is plural, so the present simple verb has no -s.
Ignore nouns inside extra phrases
Words after of, with, together with, and similar phrases can contain another noun. They give more detail, but they usually do not control the verb. Match the verb with the noun before the phrase.
The list of repairs is on the noticeboard.
List is singular. Repairs is plural, but it is not the main subject.
Use a singular verb after each and every
Each and every look at people or things one at a time. Use a singular verb after them, even when the noun that follows is plural. Words such as everyone, somebody, and nobody also usually take singular verbs.
Each of the rooms has a smoke alarm.
Everyone in the workshop knows the plan.
Rooms is plural, but each is the subject of the first sentence.
Check the noun after there
In sentences with there is and there are, the noun after the verb tells you which form to use. Use there is with one thing and there are with more than one.
There is a message for you.
There are several messages for you.
Choose the verb: There is or are three copies in the folder?
Use are because copies is plural.
Watch paired subjects and number phrases
Two subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb. With either ... or and neither ... nor, the subject nearest the verb usually controls it. Learn the difference between the number of, which is singular, and a number of, which means several and takes a plural verb.
The printer and the scanner need new paper.
Either the assistant or the supervisors are available.
Supervisors is nearest the verb, so are matches the plural subject.
Before you go
Remember this
Find the main subject before you choose the verb. Singular subjects use is, has, and a present simple verb ending in -s. Plural subjects use are, have, and the base form. Check phrases after the subject, every and each, and there is or there are carefully.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Subject verb agreement: make subjects and verbs match"
What is subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement means choosing a verb that matches a singular or plural subject. For example, The report needs one more table uses a singular subject and a singular verb.
The report needs one more table.
Why do some present simple verbs end in -s?
With a singular subject such as he, she, it, or one noun, present simple verbs usually end in -s. The delivery arrives at noon has a singular subject.
The reports need one more table each.
How do I choose the verb when a subject has an of phrase?
Match the verb with the noun before of. In The list of repairs is on the noticeboard, list is singular, so use is.
The boxes of spare cables are under the counter.
Do each and every take singular verbs?
Yes. Each and every usually take singular verbs because they refer to items one at a time. Every applicant brings an ID card is one example.
The box of spare cables is under the counter.
Should I use there is or there are?
Look at the noun after the verb. Use there is before one noun and there are before a plural noun. There are two seats near the window uses are because seats is plural.
Every applicant brings an ID card.