Subject – Verb Agreement

Singular subject-singular verb

Plural subject-plural verb
Mistakes in Agreement occur in the following
situations
• When words come between the subject and verb
• When a verb comes before the subject
• With compound subjects
• With indefinite pronouns
When words come between the subject
and verb
• Words that come between the subject and verb do
not change the agreement
• The sharp fangs in the dog’s mouth look scary.
Phrase do not affect the agreement

Some members of Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet

(was/were) his political rivals.
 Verb before Subject
• Verb agrees with the subject even when it
comes before the subject.

• There are wild dogs in our neighbourhood

• Here is the news paper.

Near the top of the hill (was/were) two gigantic

pines covered with snow.
 Compound subjects

• Two subject separated by joining words such

as and, or generally take plural verb.
• The patchwork quilt and the sleeping bag
cover my bed in winter.
• Clark and Alex are good friends.
When subjects are joined by either, or, neither,
nor, not only, …. etc. the verb agrees with the
subject closer to the verb.

• Neither the negotiator nor the union leaders

want the strike to continue.
• Neither the union leaders nor the negotiator
wants the strike to continue.
 Indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns always take singular verbs

One words Body words Thing words

one nobody nothing each
Anyone/everyone Somebody/ Anything/everythi either
everybody ng
someone something neither