How to Identify Subject and Verb Agreement

Further to my article on Identifying the Subject and Verb, it is also imperative that there is agreement in the use of Subject and Verb for the sentence to make sense to a listener. Just like Nouns, Verbs also have a singular and a plural form. For example: ‘is’ is a verb used for single nouns or subjects, and ‘are’ is a plural verb used for nouns of more than one. The following are some simple ways to identify the correct usages.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sentences
• Phrases
• Words

1. ‘Number ‘refers to the form of a word that indicates whether it is singular or plural. A verb must agree with its subject in number. Singular subjects indicate one and require a singular verb. Plural su8bjects indicate more than one and require a plural verb. With most regular verbs, simply add –s or –es to form the singular uses.

2. Example: Singular, The teacher teaches. The winner triumphs.
   Example: Plural, The teachers teach. The winners triumph.

3. An exception to the rule occurs with the pronouns ‘I’ and ‘you’. Both take the plural form of the verb, even when ‘you’ refers to one person. The only exception is ‘be’; when ‘I’ is the subject, the verb form is ‘am’.

4. Example: I eat dinner.
   Example: You prepare breakfast.

5. Whether functioning as main verbs or auxiliary verbs, ‘be, have, and do’ change in form to show agreement. In fact, the number of a verb is indicated by these auxiliary verbs. Notice in the verb phrases the main verbs do not change form.

Tips & Warnings

• Singular Noun, 's' on the verb
• Plural Noun, no 's' on the verb