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Introduction
Subject verb agreement rules are the foundation of correct English grammar, ensuring that the verb in a sentence matches its subject in number and person. For students and candidates appearing for competitive exams, mastering these rules is crucial for error-free writing and better communication. Learn the essential rules, exam strategies, and over 100 valuable examples in this definitive guide.
100+ Examples of Subject Verb Agreement Rules with Meanings
| Example | Explanation/Meaning |
|---|---|
| She runs. | Singular subject takes singular verb |
| They run. | Plural subject takes plural verb |
| The dog barks. | Singular noun, singular verb |
| My friends visit often. | Plural noun, plural verb |
| He eats breakfast. | ‘He’ (singular), so ‘eats’ |
| We eat lunch together. | ‘We’ (plural), so ‘eat’ |
| The cat sleeps. | Singular noun, singular verb |
| The children play. | Plural noun, plural verb |
| I am ready. | ‘I’ always uses ‘am’ |
| You are late. | ‘You’ always uses ‘are’ |
| She is happy. | ‘She’ uses ‘is’ |
| They are here. | ‘They’ uses ‘are’ |
| The boy studies. | Singular, ‘studies’ |
| The boys study hard. | Plural, ‘study’ |
| The teacher teaches English. | Singular subject |
| The teachers teach math. | Plural subject |
| Mary and Tom are siblings. | Compound subject joined by ‘and’ uses plural verb |
| My friend and his mother are in town. | Compound subject, plural verb |
| Rice and beans are delicious. | Compound subject, plural verb |
| Neither Joe nor his friends are coming. | Verb agrees with nearest subject (friends) |
| Either the boy or the girls are here. | Verb agrees with closest plural subject (girls) |
| Either the boys or the girl is here. | Verb agrees with nearest singular subject (girl) |
| Each boy and girl walks to the store. | ‘Each’ makes subject singular, uses singular verb |
| Everyone is present. | Indefinite pronoun (everyone) is singular |
| Both are invited. | ‘Both’ is always plural |
| Many are called. | ‘Many’ is plural |
| Somebody is knocking. | ‘Somebody’ is always singular |
| Few are chosen. | ‘Few’ is always plural |
| None was left behind. | ‘None’ can be singular or plural, context matters |
| None were interested. | (plural context) |
| One of the students is absent. | Singular subject, singular verb |
| Each of the girls has a pen. | ‘Each’ makes subject singular |
| The committee meets on Friday. | Collective nouns are singular when acting as a unit |
| The team are practicing. | In British English, collective noun can be plural |
| The furniture is expensive. | Uncountable noun, singular verb |
| The news is surprising. | ‘News’ is uncountable/singular |
| Mathematics is difficult. | Subjects like ‘mathematics’ are singular |
| Twenty dollars is a lot of money. | Amounts of money considered singular |
| The pair of shoes is expensive. | ‘Pair’ as a unit, singular verb |
| My parents are supportive. | Plural noun, plural verb |
| There is a book on the table. | ‘There is’ with singular subject |
| There are books on the shelf. | ‘There are’ with plural subject |
| What are the results? | Question with plural subject |
| Where is my phone? | Question with singular subject |
| The flowers in the vase are beautiful. | Plural subject |
| The information provided is accurate. | Uncountable noun, singular verb |
| Ten miles is a long way. | Distances as units are singular |
| Five years is a long time. | Durations as units are singular |
| The number of students is high. | ‘The number of’ is singular |
| A number of students are absent. | ‘A number of’ is plural |
| The list of items is on the table. | Singular, ‘list’ is the subject |
| The students with the teacher are ready. | ‘Students’ is the subject (plural) |
| The bottle of juices is empty. | ‘Bottle’ is singular subject |
| The boxes of toys are colorful. | ‘Boxes’ is plural subject |
| My family has a tradition. | Collective noun as unit, singular verb |
| My family are gathered here. | Plural when referring to individuals |
| This bed and breakfast is clean. | Compound subject expressing one entity, singular verb |
| Politics is complicated. | Abstract noun, singular verb |
| The police are investigating. | Always plural noun |
| The jury has reached its verdict. | Collective noun acting as single unit |
| The jury are arguing. | Plural, when acting as individuals |
| The flock of birds flies south. | ‘Flock’ is singular subject |
| Several books are missing. | Plural subject |
| Neither of the answers is correct. | Singular, ‘neither’ |
| The bouquet of roses smells sweet. | Singular, ‘bouquet’ |
| My trousers are new. | ‘Trousers’ is always plural |
| The scissors are sharp. | ‘Scissors’ is plural |
| The team members are talented. | Plural subject |
| All of the cake is gone. | ‘Cake’ is singular |
| All of the cakes are gone. | ‘Cakes’ is plural |
| Here are the keys. | Plural subject |
| Here is the key. | Singular subject |
| The advice was helpful. | Uncountable, singular |
| The criteria are strict. | Plural noun |
| The datum is missing. | Singular noun |
| The bacteria are multiplying. | Plural noun |
| The child cries. | Singular, ‘cries’ |
| Children cry. | Plural, ‘cry’ |
| He writes letters. | Singular, ‘writes’ |
| They write letters. | Plural, ‘write’ |
| My cousin and my aunt live in Paris. | Plural, ‘live’ |
| The bus arrives at 8 o’clock. | Singular, ‘arrives’ |
| The buses arrive at 8 o’clock. | Plural, ‘arrive’ |
| Each of the managers has a laptop. | ‘Each’ is singular |
| The birds sing every morning. | Plural, ‘sing’ |
| The dog and the cat are sleeping. | Plural, ‘are sleeping’ |
| The president, as well as ministers, is present. | Singular subject |
| Salt and pepper are essential. | Plural, two things |
| Bread and butter is his breakfast. | Singular, considered one dish |
| The quality of apples is high. | Singular, ‘quality’ |
| Quality apples are expensive. | Plural, ‘apples’ |
| The group of engineers is working. | Singular, ‘group’ |
| Engineers work every day. | Plural, ‘work’ |
| The packages have arrived. | Plural, ‘packages’ |
| A package has arrived. | Singular, ‘has arrived’ |
| The mother and child are playing. | Plural, ‘are playing’ |
| The coach, along with players, is leaving. | Singular subject |
| The colors of the flag are bright. | Plural, ‘colors’ |
| Mathematics are taught well. | Plural in rare contexts (British English) |
| The goods are delivered. | ‘Goods’ is always plural |
| The savings are impressive. | ‘Savings’ is always plural |
| The means is sufficient. | ‘Means’ can be singular or plural depending on context |
| Here is an example. | Singular subject |
| There are many examples. | Plural subject |
These examples cover the full range of subject verb agreement rules, including singular/plural contexts, indefinite pronouns, collective nouns, compound subjects, phrases, numbers, and exceptions.
Tips & Information for Subject Verb Agreement (Exam Success)
- Read the subject carefully: In error spotting questions, pinpoint whether the subject is singular or plural before checking the verb form.
- Master exceptions: Collective nouns, compound subjects, phrases starting with ‘each’ or ‘every’, and words joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘but also’ can change the rule.
- Undefined pronouns: ‘Everyone’, ‘each’, ‘someone’, ‘anybody’ are singular, while ‘few’, ‘many’, ‘several’ are plural.
- Watch the closest noun: In ‘or’/’nor’ sentences, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
- Practice with questions: Most competitive exams test these rules rigorously—do mock tests and correct your mistakes.
- Note special nouns: Words like ‘news’, ‘mathematics’, ‘physics’ are always singular; ‘police’, ‘people’, ‘scissors’ are always plural.
- Check words between subject and verb: Ignore interrupting phrases when choosing verb form.
- Use substitution: Replace phrases with simpler pronouns to verify agreement.
Conclusion
Subject verb agreement rules are vital for clear, professional writing and success in competitive exams. By understanding the rules, practicing with diverse examples, and mastering exceptions, students and candidates can conquer even the trickiest grammar questions.
Also Read: Irregular Verbs English: Your Ultimate Guide with 100+ Examples and Tips
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