Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement means that a singular subject is matched with a singular verb or that a plural subject is matched with a plural verb. For example:
- My box is under the stairs. (Here, the singular subject "box" is matched with the singular verb "is." This is an example of subject-verb agreement.)
- My boxes are under the stairs. (The plural subject "boxes" is matched with the plural verb "are." This is another example of subject-verb agreement.)
Look at this example though:
- My box of toys are under the stairs. (Here, the phrase "box of toys" (which is singular because of "box") has confused the writer, who has matched it with a plural verb. This is an example of an error with subject-verb agreement.)
Later in this lesson, we will discuss 13 issues that cause errors with subject-verb agreement.
More about Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is linked to "verb conjugation." Verb conjugation just means "how a verb changes to agree with various subjects." For example, here are the conjugations of the verb "to be" and "to play" in the present tense:
| Subject | Conjugation of "To Be" | Conjugation of "To Play" |
|---|
| I | am | play |
| you | are | play |
| he / she / it | is | plays |
| we | are | play |
| you | are | play |
| they | are | play |
So, when you match "I" with "am" or "he" with "plays," they are examples of subject-verb agreement.
Even though subject-verb agreement is a simple concept, sometimes, it is difficult to know whether your subject is singular or plural. In other words, it is not always easy to know whether you should be using a singular verb (e.g., "is" and "plays") or a plural one (e.g., "are" and "play").
Below are 13 issues that cause problems with subject-verb agreement. In all of these examples, the subject is shaded and the verb is in bold.
(Issue 1) "Someone" and "Anyone" Take Singular Verbs
The indefinite pronouns "anyone," "each," "everyone," "no one," "nobody," and "someone" are singular. For example:
- I hope that while so many people are out smelling the flowers, someone is taking the time to plant some. (Screenwriter Herbert Rappaport)
- The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive. (Author Robert Heinlein)
- Nobody is ever met at the airport when beginning a new adventure. (Author Elizabeth Warnock Fernea)
Be careful. Look at these examples:
- No one knows what he can do till he tries. (Latin writer Publilius Syrus) (Why "he"?)
- If anyone goes to a psychiatrist, he ought to have his head examined. (Why "his"?)
- Anyone who forgets his passport will be sent home. (Why "his"?)
If you have to use a possessive determiner (e.g., "his," "her") in the same sentence, problems start to arise. What if the person isn't male? The English language doesn't handle this well, but here are two options:
- Anyone who forgets his or her passport will be sent home. (This is acceptable, but it's clumsy)
- Anyone who forgets their passport will be sent home. (Even though, "their" is plural. This is considered preferable to using "his" or "his or her." It is called a "singular they/their.")
Read more about the "singular they/their."
(Issue 2) "All" and "Some" Can Take a Singular or a Plural Verb
The indefinite pronouns "all," "any," "more," "most," and "some" are singular when they refer to something singular but plural when they refer to something plural. For example:
- All of the bread has been stolen. ("Bread" is singular, so "all" is treated as singular.)
- All of the cakes have been stolen. ("Cakes" is plural, so "all" is treated as plural.)
- My theory is that all of Scottish cuisine is based on a dare. (Actor Mike Myers) ("Cuisine" is singular, so "all" is treated as singular.)
- Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts. (Singer Jim Morrison) ("Mistakes" is plural, so "some" is treated as plural.)
(Issue 3) "Number Of" Takes a Plural Verb. Most of the Time
If it helps, you can think of "number" as following the same rules as "all" and "some" (see Issue 2 above). Therefore, the term "a number of" will nearly always be plural because the object of the preposition "of" (i.e., the word that follows it) will be plural. For example:
- A number of men were strongly opposed to the changes.
- Lee, a number of cakes have been stolen from the buffet.
Beware though because "number" can be a singular noun referring to an arithmetical value.
- The number of women was sixty-four.
- The number of women were sixty-four.
(Issue 4) Terms Like "Half Of," "the Majority Of," and "a Percentage Of" Can Be Singular or Plural
Expressions such as "half of," "a part of," "a percentage of," "a proportion of," and "a majority of" are singular when they refer to something singular but plural when they refer to something plural. For example:
- Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half the time. (Author E. B. White)
- Half of the world knows not how the other half lives. (Poet George Herbert)
- Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation. (Politician Henry Kissinger)
- My guess is that well over 80 percent of the human race goes without having a single original thought. (Journalist H. L. Mencken)
(Issue 5) "None" Can Take a Singular or Plural Verb
The indefinite pronoun "none" can be singular or plural. However, be aware that treating "none" as plural might irk some of your readers as many people believe "none" can only be singular. For example:
- None of the team is ready.
- None of the team are ready.
Here's a tip: If your "none" translates best as "not one of," then treat it as singular. If it translates best as "not any of," then treat it as plural. If this doesn't work for your example, then try to treat it as singular. If the singular version sounds wrong, be brave and go for plural.
Also, keep an eye out for the problem with "his/her/their" (see Issue 1 above). Look at this example:
- None of the team has polished their boots. (This acceptable, but it's untidy.)
As you often have the choice whether to treat "none" as singular or plural, you can avoid this untidiness.
- None of the team have polished their boots.
(Issue 6) The Words after "As Well As" Are Not Part of the Subject
The words that follow terms like "as well as," "along with," and "together with" are not part of the subject. They do not compound the subject like "and" does. For example:
- The king along with his sons is visiting tomorrow.
- The king and his sons are visiting tomorrow.
(Issue 7) "Either" and "Neither" Are Singular
The pronouns "either" and "neither" take singular verbs. This often causes confusion because they naturally refer to two things. For example:
- I'm not keen on beef or lamb, but either is preferable to tofu.
- Neither of the sisters is eligible to attend.
(Issue 8) "Or" Does Not Conjoin
Unlike "and," the conjunctions "or" and " nor" do not conjoin. For example:
- The king or his daughter is visiting tomorrow.
- The king and his daughter are visiting tomorrow.
- Neither the king nor his daughter are visiting tomorrow. (This should be "is.")
- It's very tasty as it is. Neither salt nor pepper is required.
The pairings "either/or" and "neither/nor" demand a singular verb when both elements (shaded) are singular, but a plural verb when one of them is plural. For example:
- Either the king or the queen is coming to present the awards. (The elements (shaded) are both singular. Therefore, the verb is singular.)
- Neither cakes nor chocolate are going to give you the nutrients you need. (Here, one of the elements ("cakes") is plural. Therefore, the verb is plural.)
Let's call this the "Logic Rule." Be aware that there is another well-followed rule called the "Proximity Rule," which offers different guidance. Under the Proximity Rule, the verb is determined by the nearest element to the verb. For example:
- Neither cakes nor chocolate is going to give you the nutrients you need. (Here, the nearest element ("chocolate") is singular. Therefore, the verb is singular. Under the "Logic Rule," this would be wrong as "cakes" is plural.)
You can follow the "Logic Rule" or the Proximity Rule. You should adopt whatever convention those around follow. If you can't find such guidance, pick one and be consistent.
Here's a good tip: Edit your words to adhere to both rules. For example:
- Neither chocolate nor cakes are going to give you the nutrients you need. ("Logic Rule") (Proximity Rule)
Read more about the Logic Rule and the Proximity Rule.
(Issue 9) Beware Modifiers between the Subject and the Verb
Sometimes modifiers (shown in blue) get between a subject and its verb. Do not let these words interfere with the subject-verb agreement.
- A crate of sardines is more expensive than I thought. ("A crate" is singular. The modifiers "of sardines" does not affect the verb. Therefore, "is" is correct.)
- Simon , who is the oldest of the four brothers and who, just as he did before last year's contest, has been suffering back spasms, is expected to take the first leg. ("Simon" agrees with "is." The modifier is long, but be sure to track back to the subject to ensure the verb agrees with it.)
- A container of nuts and bolts were found in the cellar. ("A container" is singular. The verb should be "was." Remember that "of nuts and bolts" is just a modifier. It does not affect the verb.)
(Issue 10) A List of Words That Cause Confusion
The words listed below often cause singular/plural confusion.
| Word | Singular or Plural? |
|---|
| Agenda | Singular
(even though it is the plural of "agendum")
Read more about "agenda" being singular. |
| Criteria | Plural
(Unlike "data" and "agendum," "criteria" has retained its plural status because the singular "criterion" is still in common usage.)
Read more about "criteria" being plural. |
| Data | Mostly singular nowadays
(even though it is the plural of "datum")
Read more about "data" being singular. |
| Glasses | Plural
(Note: "Pair of glasses" is singular.) |
| Measles | Singular |
| Media | Singular or Plural
(Treat "media" like a collective noun as opposed to the plural of "medium.") |
| News | Singular |
| Pliers | Plural
(Note: "Pair of pliers" is singular.) |
| Scissors | Plural
(Note: "Pair of scissors" is singular.) |
| Underpants | Plural
(Note: "Pair of underpants" is singular.) |
(Issue 11) Collective Nouns Can be Singular or Plural
A collective noun is a word that represents a group (e.g., "board," "team," "jury"). A collective noun can be singular or plural depending on the sense of the sentence. Look at these two examples.
- The jury is late returning to the courtroom. (Here, "the jury" is singular because it is considered as one unit.)
- The jury are all wearing different coloured shirts. (This time, "the jury" is plural because we're focused on the individuals.)
Often, it is difficult to make a decision on whether to opt for singular or plural. A good trick is to precede your collective noun with words like "members of," forcing you to go plural. For example:
- The members of the jury are late returning to the courtroom.
(Issue 12) The Term "More Than One" Is Singular!
Somewhat counter-intuitively, the expression "more than one" takes a singular verb. For example:
- More than one person was involved in this robbery.
- More than one swallow does a summer make, doesn't it?
- All I can say is that more than one of you have promised to return after the break.
(Issue 13) The Positive Element Governs the Verb
When a subject is made up of a positive element and a negative element, the positive one governs the verb. For example:
- The CEO not the board members makes the final decision. (Positive element is "the CEO." The negative element is "board members." The positive one is singular, hence "makes.")
- The kitchen has confirmed that the fish not the prawns was responsible for the vomiting outbreak. (The positive element is "the fish." The negative element is "the prawns." "The fish" governs the verb, hence "was.")
This page was written by Craig Shrives.
