Lesson 5 of 36 · beginner
Subject-Verb Agreement
Make the verb match the subject, even when words get in the way.
The basic rule
A singular subject takes a verb with -s in the present simple. A plural subject takes the plain verb. This is the single most common error in spoken English, so it is worth getting right early.
- My brother works in a bank.
- My brothers work in a bank.
- The bus leaves at six.
- The buses leave at six.
Ignore the words in between
Words between the subject and the verb do not change the verb. Find the real subject first, then match the verb to it.
- The box of apples is on the table. (the box is)
- The list of candidates was long. (the list was)
- One of my friends lives in Dubai. (one lives)
- The quality of the roads has improved. (the quality has)
Subjects that look plural but are not
Everyone, everybody, someone, nobody, each, and 'one of' all take a singular verb. So do uncountable nouns like news, furniture, information, advice, luggage, and subjects like mathematics.
- Everyone is waiting for you.
- Nobody knows the answer.
- Each student gets a book.
- The news is not good.
- This information is useful.
- Mathematics is my favourite subject.
Joined by 'and' or by 'or'
Two subjects joined by 'and' take a plural verb. Joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb matches the subject closest to it.
- Rahul and Sita are coming.
- Rahul or Sita is coming.
- Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.
- Neither the students nor the teacher was ready.
More examples in context
Once the verb matches the subject automatically, your English sounds far more fluent — even when the rest is simple.
- My father drinks tea twice a day.
- The children play in the park after school.
- There is one chair left.
- There are two chairs left.
- Each of the rooms has a window.
- My uncle and aunt live upstairs.
Common mistakes to avoid
These are the agreement errors to watch for most closely.
- ✗ My friends is coming. → ✓ My friends are coming.
- ✗ He don't know. → ✓ He doesn't know.
- ✗ Everyone are happy. → ✓ Everyone is happy.
- ✗ The list of items are long. → ✓ The list of items is long.
- ✗ One of my cousin live here. → ✓ One of my cousins lives here.
- ✗ The news are shocking. → ✓ The news is shocking.
Quick practice
Choose the correct verb for each blank, then check your answer.
- My sister ___ in Bangalore. (live / lives) (answer: lives)
- The bunch of keys ___ missing. (is / are) (answer: is)
- Everybody ___ the new teacher. (like / likes) (answer: likes)
- My parents ___ early every morning. (wake / wakes) (answer: wake)
- Neither of the answers ___ correct. (is / are) (answer: is)