SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Subjects and verbs must agree in number.
o Use a singular verb with singular subject.
o Use a plural verb with a plural subject.
(Think plural subject…think “s” on the end for most plural subjects, but
think plural verb . . . think NO “s” on the end!!! They’re opposite!!)
EX: Mike runs a mile every day.
The team runs a mile for practice.
They run a mile for practice.
Many animals run fast.

When a compound subject is joined by “and”, it needs a PLURAL verb.
EX: Melinda and Julie play the guitar.
The boys and the girls learn a lot from their teacher.

When a compound subject is joined by “or” or “nor”, the verb needs to agree with the
closer subject.
EX: Neither Melinda nor Julie plays the guitar.
Neither Amanda nor her parents play the piano.
Either the guitars or the banjo is out of tune.
Verb Forms of be, have, and do (can be used as main verb or helping verb)
Subject
be
have
do
Singular subjects:
I
You
He, she, it
(or singular noun)
Plural subjects:
am, was
are, were
is, was
have, had
have, had
has, had
do, did
do, did
does, did
We
You
They (or plural noun)
are, were
are, were
are, were
have, had
have, had
have, had
do, did
do, did
do, did