How to Use the Subject-Verb Agreement Form in English

To form grammatically correct sentences in English, one must be mindful of the rules of subject-verb agreement. Agreement is the practice of pairing singular subjects with singular verbs and plural subjects with plural verbs. Pronouns (I, he, she, it, they) also indicate number. For example, first person "I," second person "you" and third person "he" or "she" are all singular subjects and must agree with singular verbs. First person "us," second person "you all" and third person "they" are all plural subjects and must agree with plural verbs.

Instructions

1. Modify phrases without altering the number of the subject. Modified phrases might include nouns that are described through prepositions. An example of this: The noun "crate" can be modified in a sentence to become "crate of books." In either case, the noun "crate" is singular, since "crate" is one object that can be composed of numerous items. While the impetus might be to write, "A crate of books were delivered to Jenny's doorstep," this sentence is not grammatically correct. The verb form "were" is plural, and hence does not agree with the singular subject "crate of books." Thus, the correct sentence would read: "A crate of books was delivered to Jenny's doorstep."

2. Consider compound subjects when forming subject-verb agreement. If two subjects (nouns) are paired using the conjunction "and," they are typically treated as plural subjects. For example, observe the sentence, "Bartending, graduate school and triathlon training are among my prized experiences." The subjects, bartending, graduate school and triathlon training combine to form a plural subject, and so the past-tense plural form "were" of the verb "to be" is appropriately used here. On the other hand, subjects can link together through "and," while expressing a singular idea, so be careful to note such exceptions. An example of such singular ideas is "steak and potatoes" when referring to a staple dinner choice. "Steak and potatoes is a typical American dinner."

3. Combine singular subjects using conjunctions "or" and "nor" to form a singular subject, but combine plural subjects using these conjunctions to make a plural subject. For example, in the sentence "Neither the prince nor the princess was happy with the turnout," these nouns form to make one singular concept (prince and princess). When considering plural examples, you might form something like "Focus techniques and visualization strategies were responsible for Robert's success as an actor." Plural concepts here make one combined plural concept (focus techniques and visualization strategies).

References

• The Owl at Purdue University
• The Writing Center: University of Wisconsin-Madison