SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT RULES

Rule #1 Uncountable nouns take singular verbs, even if their meaning suggests
plurality.
✓ The water is refreshing. (Uncountable noun, singular verb)
✓ The furniture needs cleaning. (Uncountable noun, singular verb)

Rule #2 A singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject

requires a plural verb. However, a singular subject takes a plural verb in the
subjunctive mood.
✓ The cat jumps on the table. (Singular subject, singular verb)
✓ The dogs bark loudly. (Plural subject, plural verb)
✓ If she were a bird, she would fly in the sky. (Singular subject, plural verb in the
subjunctive mood)
✓ If I were the President, we would abolish the exam. (Singular subject, plural verb
in the subjunctive mood)

Rule #3 When two singular nouns combine to refer to a single person or object,
the verb is singular.
✓ The Headmaster and President of the school is coming. (Referring to one person
holding both positions)
✓ The Headmaster and the President of the school are coming. (Referring to two
different individuals)
✓ A black and white horse is my favorite. (Referring to a horse with both black and
white colors)
✓ A black and a white horse are for sale. (Referring to two horses, one black and one
white)

Rule #4 When an adjective is used as a noun, “the + adjective” is followed by a

plural verb.
✓ The rich are often targeted by thieves.
✓ The young are full of energy and enthusiasm.
✓ The poor are not always dishonest.
✓ The elderly are wise and experienced.

Rule #5 When a title or name with a plural form refers to a singular subject, a
singular verb is used.
✓ “The Beatles” was a legendary band.
✓ “The United States” is a country with diverse landscapes.
✓ “The Rolling Stones” is known for their energetic performances.

Rule #6 Subjects connected by “each” or “every” always take a singular verb.

✓ Every student has a textbook.
✓ Each cat was fed this morning.
✓ Every car in the parking lot needs to be moved.
Rule #7 When two or more subjects are connected by ‘and’, the verb is plural.
However, if one of the subjects connected by ‘and’ is negated with ‘no’ or ‘not’, the
verb agrees with the previous subject.
✓ Lisa and Pamela are two sisters.
✓ She and her friend have arrived here.
✓ Only boys and no girls are guilty.
Only he and not his friends is the culprit. (Note In this example, the verb agrees with the
subject ‘he’ because it is the last subject before the negation ‘not’.)

Rule #8 When two or more singular subjects are joined by “or,” “nor,”
“either…or,” or “neither…nor,” the verb remains singular.
✓ Either the cat or the dog is responsible for the mess.
✓ Either Peter or David has eaten the pineapple.
✓ Either the red shirt or the blue shirt goes well with these pants.

Rule #9 When a singular and a plural subject are joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either…
or’, ‘neither… nor’, the verb agrees with the plural subject at the end.
✓ Either the dog or the cats have been causing trouble.
✓ Either John or his siblings are responsible for the mess.
✓ Neither the car nor the bikes were parked properly.
✓ Either the book or the magazines belong on the shelf.

Rule #10 When ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either… or’, ‘neither… nor’ combine subjects of
different persons, the verb agrees with the subject of the person at the end.
✓ Either she or I am going to the party.
✓ Neither you nor he is invited to the wedding.
✓ Either you or he has to take responsibility for the mistake.
✓ Neither John nor his friends want to participate in the game.
✓ Either Mary or her sisters are going on vacation.

Rule #11 If the subjects of different numbers or persons are connected by ‘and,’
the verb is plural.
✓ You, he, and I are going to the movies tonight.
✓ You and he are both excellent singers.
✓ You and I will be working together on this project.
✓ Mary and her friends are going on a road trip.
✓ The dog and the cats are playing in the backyard.
Rule #12 Collective nouns, when used to convey a sense of togetherness or
unanimous action, take a singular verb. However, when they are used to convey a
sense of separation or individual actions, they take a plural verb. s of such nouns
include audience, class, committee, crowd, flock, jury, parliament, team, etc.
✓ The audience was applauding at the end of the performance. (Togetherness)
✓ The class was studying diligently for the upcoming exam. (Togetherness)
✓ The committee has differing opinions on the matter. (Separation)
✓ The flock is migrating south for the winter. (Togetherness)
✓ The jury were unable to reach a unanimous decision. (Separation)

Rule #13 “A lot of / A group of / A number of” collectively take a singular verb
when referring to a single entity, and a plural verb when referring to multiple
entities.
✓ There is a lot of food on the table. (Referring to a single quantity)
✓ A lot of people are attending the concert. (Referring to multiple individuals)
✓ Here is a group of students. (Referring to a single group)
✓ A group of birds is flying in the sky. (Referring to multiple birds)
✓ A number of complaints have been received. (Referring to multiple complaints)

Rule #14 Some nouns that are singular in form but plural in meaning take a
plural verb.
✓ The police are investigating the crime. (Referring to multiple police officers)
✓ People have different opinions on this topic. (Referring to multiple individuals)
✓ Two dozen eggs cost forty-eight rupees. (Referring to 24 eggs)
✓ The staff are taking their lunch break. (Referring to multiple staff members)
✓ The committee members have arrived for the meeting. (Referring to multiple
committee members)

Rule #15 Some nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning take a
singular verb.
✓ The news is spreading quickly. (Referring to a singular concept)
✓ The wages of sin is eternal suffering. (Referring to a singular consequence)
✓ Physics is a fascinating branch of science. (Referring to a singular field of study)
✓ Politics is his passion and life’s work. (Referring to a singular domain)
✓ The mathematics problem is challenging. (Referring to a singular mathematical
problem)
Note Some nouns are always plural and take a plural verb.
✓ The goods were shipped to the warehouse. (Referring to multiple items)
✓ My belongings have been packed in boxes. (Referring to multiple personal items)
Rule #16 When a plural noun is preceded by ‘one of,’ ‘each of,’ ‘either of,’ ‘neither
of,’ etc., the verb agrees with the noun and takes a singular form.
✓ One of the boys was absent from school. (Referring to a singular boy)
✓ The quality of the oranges is excellent. (Referring to a singular quality)
✓ Each of the girls is talented. (Referring to a singular girl)
✓ Either of the books is available for borrowing. (Referring to a singular book)
✓ Neither of the books was interesting to read. (Referring to a singular book)

Rule #17 ‘More than one’ takes a singular verb, but ‘more than two/three’ or more
takes a plural verb.
✓ More than one car is parked in the garage. (Referring to a singular quantity)
✓ More than two books are missing from the library. (Referring to multiple books)

Rule #18 When two or more subjects are joined by ‘with,’ ‘together with,’ or ‘as
well as,’ the verb agrees with the first subject.
✓ Mike, as well as his friends, was punished. (Referring to multiple subjects)
✓ Sarah, together with her sisters, is going on vacation.
✓ The dog, as well as the cats, needs to be fed.
✓ The professor, along with his students, is attending the conference.
✓

Rule #19 When parentheses follow the subject, they do not affect subject-verb
agreement.
✓ Sarah (with her two friends) is going to the party.
✓ The dog, barking loudly, is running in circles.
✓ John (who is known for his punctuality) arrives early.
✓ The cake, freshly baked, smells delicious.
✓ The car, parked in the driveway, needs a wash.

Rule #20 In “not only… but also” constructions, the verb agrees with the last
subject.
✓ Not only she but also her sisters were invited to the event.
✓ Not only the cat but also the dog likes to play outside.
✓ Not only Tom but also his friends have seen the movie.
✓ Not only the children but also their parents are excited about the trip.
✓ Not only the flowers but also the trees need watering.
Rule #21 When the relative pronoun is the subject, the verb agrees with the
antecedent.
✓ I, who am your teacher, am here to help you.
✓ He, who is my neighbor, often lends me his tools.
✓ You, who are my best friend, know me well.
✓ The cat, which is my pet, loves to chase mice.
✓ The students, who are in the advanced class, are studying for the exam.

Rule #22 Pronouns and verbs agree in gender and context for words like
anybody, everybody, anyone, everyone, each, etc.
✓ Everybody should do his or her part to protect the environment.
✓ Everybody is responsible for his or her own success.
✓ Anyone can pursue his or her passions and achieve greatness.
✓ Each of the students should bring his or her textbook to class.
✓ Anyone can achieve his or her dreams with determination and hard work.

Rule #23 “One” is used as a singular pronoun and should be paired with “one’s”
and “oneself.”
✓ One should always respect one’s elders.
✓ One must take care of oneself in order to stay healthy.
✓ One cannot achieve success without putting in the effort.
✓ One should be proud of one’s accomplishments.
✓ One should always be true to oneself.

Rule #24 When “Many a/Many an” precedes a noun, both the noun and the verb
should be in the singular form.
✓ Many a student is studying for the exam.
✓ Many an opportunity has been missed.
✓ Many a bird sings in the morning.
✓ Many an artist has painted this landscape.
✓ Many a child dreams of becoming a superhero.

Rule #25 Plural verbs are used after pair nouns like trousers, scissors, glasses,
etc.
✓ Here are the scissors.
✓ These trousers need altering.
✓ Your new glasses look stylish.
✓ The pliers are in the toolbox.
✓ The binoculars are essential for birdwatching.
Rule #26 Auxiliary verbs are used only once when two principal verbs are
related.
✓ I have lost the pen but got the book.
✓ She can sing and dance well.
✓ They should study and prepare for the test.
✓ He might come or call later.
✓ We will eat dinner and then watch a movie.

Rule #27 When two numbers are joined by “and,” the verb can be either singular
or plural, but plural is more commonly used.
✓ Six and two make eight.
✓ Nine and three equal twelve.
✓ Seven and one result in eight.
✓ Ten and five total fifteen.
✓ Twelve and six make eighteen.

Rule #28 When indicating quantity, a singular verb is used; when indicating
number, a plural verb is used.
✓ Half of the apple is rotten. (Referring to a singular quantity)
✓ Half of the apples are ripe. (Referring to a plural quantity)
✓ Two-thirds of the pizza is gone. (Referring to a singular quantity)
✓ Two-thirds of the students are present. (Referring to a plural quantity)
✓ Three-fourths of the city was affected by the blackout. (Referring to a singular
quantity)

Rule #29 Certain nouns, such as advice, furniture, hair, and trouble, are always
used in the singular form.
✓ The advice she gave me was helpful.
✓ His furniture is modern and stylish.
✓ I have a lot of hair on my head.

Rule #30 Some nouns, like ashes, proceeds, and vegetables, are used only in
plural form.
✓ The ashes from the bonfire were scattered by the wind.
✓ The proceeds from the charity event will be donated to a good cause.
✓ We should eat more vegetables for a healthy diet.

Rule #31 Material nouns that indicate the substance of which things are made
should not be used in plural form.
✓ This sculpture is made of clay and bronze.
✓ The table is crafted from wood and metal.
Note Material nouns can be used in plural form as common nouns, referring to objects
rather than the substance.
✓ The boys were throwing stones at the frogs.
✓ She collected different types of papers for her art project.

Rule #32 When pronouns of different persons are used together in a sentence,
the usual order is 2nd, 3rd, and 1st. However, if confessing a fault, the order
becomes 1st, 3rd, and 2nd.
✓ You, he, and I should attend the meeting. (Not I, you, and he)
✓ I, they, and you were wrong in this situation.
✓ We, the students, and you apologize for the misunderstanding.