What is Subject-Verb Agreement? Definition & College Writing Examples

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔍 Definition: Subject-verb agreement means the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject.
• 🍎 Singular Subjects: Use singular verbs. Example: The cat sleeps.
• 👯 Plural Subjects: Use plural verbs. Example: The cats sleep.
• 🧩 Compound Subjects: Subjects joined by 'and' usually take a plural verb. Example: John and Mary are going. (Exception: If they refer to a single idea, use a singular verb. Mac and cheese is delicious.)
• ⚠️ Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns (each, everyone, someone, nobody) are singular and take singular verbs. Example: Everyone is ready. Others (several, few, both, many) are plural. Example: Many are called.
• 🗣️ Collective Nouns: These (team, family, committee) can be singular or plural depending on whether they act as a unit or as individuals. Example: The team is playing well. (unit) vs. The team are arguing about their roles. (individuals)
• ❓ Intervening Phrases: Phrases between the subject and verb don't change the verb's number. Example: The book, along with the CDs, is helpful.

Practice Quiz

1. Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
   1. A. The students is ready for the exam.
   2. B. The students are ready for the exam.
   3. C. The student are ready for the exam.
   4. D. The student is ready for the exam.
2. Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
   1. A. Each of the participants have a unique perspective.
   2. B. Each of the participants has a unique perspective.
   3. C. Each of the participant have a unique perspective.
   4. D. Each of the participants are having a unique perspective.
3. Identify the correctly written sentence:
   1. A. The committee are meeting to decide on the budget.
   2. B. The committee is meeting to decide on the budget.
   3. C. The committee are decides on the budget.
   4. D. The committee is decide on the budget.
4. Which of the following sentences uses proper subject-verb agreement?
   1. A. Both of my brothers is going to college.
   2. B. Both of my brother are going to college.
   3. C. Both of my brothers are going to college.
   4. D. Both of my brothers is going to colleges.
5. In which sentence is the subject-verb agreement incorrect?
   1. A. The dog barks loudly at strangers.
   2. B. The dogs bark loudly at strangers.
   3. C. The dog bark loudly at strangers.
   4. D. The dogs is barking loudly at strangers.
6. Select the sentence where the verb agrees with the subject:
   1. A. Physics are a difficult subject for some students.
   2. B. Physics is a difficult subject for some students.
   3. C. Physic are a difficult subject for some students.
   4. D. Physics is being a difficult subject for some students.
7. Which sentence contains the best subject-verb agreement?
   1. A. Neither John nor Mary are available.
   2. B. Neither John nor Mary is available.
   3. C. Neither John or Mary are available.
   4. D. Neither John nor Mary am available.