Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match its subject in number — singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs. While the basic rule is simple, English has a surprising number of tricky cases: collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, compound subjects joined by or, and subjects that look plural but are grammatically singular. Getting agreement right is essential for accurate academic and professional writing.
The Basic Rule
A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb. In the present simple, singular third-person verbs add -s or -es.
- The student works hard. (singular subject, singular verb)
- The students work hard. (plural subject, plural verb)
- She is tired. / They are tired.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns name a group of people or things: team, committee, government, family, staff, audience, class, group. In British English, collective nouns may take either a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group acts as a unit or as individuals. In American English, they almost always take a singular verb.
- British: The team is playing well. / The team are arguing among themselves.
- American: The team is playing well. (always singular)
Either / Neither / Each / Every / One
These words are always singular even when followed by a plural noun in a prepositional phrase.
- Either answer is acceptable.
- Neither of the students has submitted the essay. (NOT have)
- Each of the books costs £10.
- Everyone is ready. / Somebody has called.
With either…or and neither…nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it (the proximity rule): Either the teacher or the students are wrong. / Either the students or the teacher is wrong.
Subjects Joined by And
Two or more subjects joined by and form a compound subject and normally take a plural verb: Tea and coffee are served at breakfast. Exception: when two nouns refer to a single person or concept, use singular: My best friend and colleague is leaving. / Fish and chips is a popular dish.
Tricky Singular Subjects
- Words ending in -s but singular: news, economics, mathematics, physics, athletics — The news is shocking. Mathematics is difficult.
- Quantities and measurements as units: Ten kilometres is a long walk. Five hundred pounds seems expensive.
- Titles of works, company names: The Beatles was formed in Liverpool. Google has launched a new product.
- There is / There are: agreement with the real subject that follows: There is one problem. There are three issues.
What You'll Practise
- Choosing singular or plural verbs for basic and compound subjects
- Applying the proximity rule with either…or / neither…nor
- Treating collective nouns correctly in British and American contexts
- Recognising singular-looking plural subjects and vice versa
- Agreement in there is / there are constructions
Practice Exercises
Work through the exercises below to sharpen your subject-verb agreement in a range of sentence structures.
Also related: Present Simple — agreement errors are most visible in the present simple third-person singular, where the -s ending is required.
Practice What You've Learned
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Explore other grammar topics: All Grammar TopicsPresent SimpleDeterminersCountable & Uncountable
Frequently Asked Questions
What is subject-verb agreement and why does it matter?
Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match its subject in number (singular or plural) and person. In English, this mainly affects the third-person singular present simple: he/she/it takes a verb ending in -s (she works), while all plural subjects take the base form (they work). Errors in agreement signal grammatical inaccuracy and lower scores on exams like IELTS and Cambridge. In professional writing, agreement errors also undermine credibility.
Do collective nouns take singular or plural verbs in English?
In British English, collective nouns (team, committee, government, family, staff, audience) can take either a singular or plural verb. Use singular when the group acts as a whole unit: The committee has reached a decision. Use plural when the focus is on individual members acting separately: The committee are arguing about the budget. In American English, collective nouns almost always take singular verbs regardless of context.
Should I use is or are with either/neither?
When either and neither stand alone or are followed by a singular noun, use a singular verb: Neither answer is correct. Either option works. When followed by of + plural noun, formal grammar requires singular (Neither of the students has passed) though plural is increasingly common in informal speech. With either…or / neither…nor, use the proximity rule: the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Either the teachers or the principal is responsible (principal is closer, so singular is).
Why do words like news, mathematics, and physics take singular verbs?
Although these words end in -s and appear plural, they name a single subject or field of study and are grammatically singular. The news is on at six. Mathematics is her strongest subject. Physics was invented long before the word physics was coined. Other examples: economics, politics, athletics, gymnastics, linguistics. Similarly, diseases ending in -s are singular: measles is, diabetes is. The plural-looking form is simply a historical accident of word formation.
When two subjects are joined by and, do I always use a plural verb?
Almost always, yes. Coffee and tea are served at breakfast. Emma and Jack are coming. The exception is when the two nouns refer to a single entity or are thought of as one thing: Bread and butter is my favourite snack. My best friend and business partner has retired. Also, when each or every precedes the compound subject, use singular: Every teacher and student is expected to attend.
How does subject-verb agreement work in there is / there are constructions?
In sentences starting with there, the grammatical subject is not there but the noun phrase that follows the verb. The verb must agree with that real subject: There is one problem. There are three issues. There was a long queue. There were many people waiting. A common error is using there's (there is) with plural subjects in informal speech: There's two options. This is acceptable conversationally but should be avoided in writing.
What is the proximity rule and when does it apply?
The proximity rule says the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it when subjects are joined by or, nor, either…or, or neither…nor. Examples: Either the manager or the employees are responsible (employees is closest — plural verb). Neither the students nor the teacher was prepared (teacher is closest — singular verb). This rule avoids awkward constructions and is standard in formal grammar. It does not apply when subjects are joined by and (always plural).
Do indefinite pronouns like everyone and nobody take singular or plural verbs?
Indefinite pronouns are always grammatically singular in formal English: everyone, somebody, nobody, anyone, each, either, neither, nothing, something. Everyone has arrived. Nobody was hurt. Each of the students needs a textbook. In informal speech, plural pronouns are often used to refer back to them (Everyone should bring their own lunch), but the verb itself remains singular.
How do quantities and measurements affect agreement?
When a quantity or measurement is treated as a single unit, use a singular verb: Five kilometres is a long way to walk. Twenty pounds is not enough. Two hours seems like a long time. But when items are thought of as individual units, use plural: Two hundred students have applied (each student individually). A useful test: if you can replace the number with a single measurement word, use singular (Five kilometres = a long distance → singular).
Why do some phrases interrupt the subject and cause agreement errors?
A common trap is a prepositional phrase between the subject and the verb. The verb must agree with the head noun (the actual subject), not with the noun in the phrase. The results of the experiment were surprising (subject: results — plural, not experiment). A box of chocolates makes a good gift (subject: box — singular, not chocolates). The key is to mentally strip out the of phrase and identify the true subject before choosing the verb form.