Subject-Verb Agreement
We’ve just launched a new online grammar course ‘Subject Verb Agreement’ on the Intrepid English Academy website.
Not a member yet? No problem! We’ve got a few of the rules outlined below to get you started.
Many students feel very confident very quickly in the first rule of Subject-Verb Agreement. We get it. When you know the basics, you just KNOW them. However, this is the English language after all and there are a few sneaky ones that take a bit of study and practice to perfect.
Here are three rules with some examples to get you started. Sign up to the Intrepid English Academy to get the rest of them. (There are nine in total.)
Rule: Agreeing in number.
The subject and verb must agree in number.
What does this mean?
Agreeing in number means whether a subject or verb is single or plural.
A single subject (he, Jane, train) takes a single verb (is, walks, has).
Examples
• He has to take his medicine with food.
• Jane walks to work twice a week.
A plural subject (they, the nurses, potatoes) takes a plural verb (are, walk, have).
Examples
• Bananas are a good source of potassium.
• The workers take a break at lunchtime and most of them nap in their cars.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes! See our full online course for more details, examples, and quizzes.
Sign up as a member with unlimited access here.
Rule: Subjects joined by ‘and’, ‘or’ and ‘nor’.
We’ll divide this into two points.
1. Subjects joined by ‘and’.
Subjects joined by ‘and’ are plural so need a plural verb.
Examples
• Buses and trains are both public modes of transport.
• My sister and I are best friends.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes – as always! See our full online course for more details, examples, and quizzes.
Sign up as a member with unlimited access here.
2. Subjects joined by ‘or’ and ‘nor’.
Subjects joined by ‘or’ and ‘nor’ take a verb that agrees with the subject closest to it.
Examples
• The red or the blue one is in the car boot.
→ ‘blue one’ is closest to the verb, it is singular so the verb is singular.
• Neither Geoff nor the girls are going swimming today.
→ ‘the girls’ is plural so the verb is plural.
Rule: Quantities of time, money and distance.
Use a singular verb for quantities of time, money and distance when the amount is considered one unit.
What does this mean?
Quantities of time, money and distance are considered one unit or singular so we use a singular verb.
Examples
• 3 hours is a long time to run for.
• £28,000 is a fantastic first salary.
• 26.2 miles is the distance of a full marathon.
Are there any exceptions?
Of course there are! See our full online course for more details, examples, and quizzes.
Sign up as a member with unlimited access here.