Subject Verb Agreement
Subjects and Verbs must agree, so if a subject is singular, the verb is singular, and if the
subject is plural, the verb is plural.
Singular = one person or thing
Plural = more than one
Singular subjects will have present tense verbs that end in –s unless it is a be verb
S V
S V
The car runs well.
I am happy.
Plural subject will have present tense verbs that do not end in –s unless it is a be verb
S V
S
V
The cars run well.
We are happy.
If a verb is in past tense, then it has the same ending for both singular and plural subjects
with the exception of the be verb.
Singular
Plural
I threw the ball.
They threw the ball.
I was angry.
They were angry.
Intervening Phrase
The subject is NOT changed by an intervening (interrupting) phrase.
To determine the subject, cross out the phrase.
Example: The counselor for the senior students (was, were) very helpful.
The counselor for the senior students (was, were) very helpful.
Exercise: Complete the Packet
Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
The following words are always singular subjects regardless of the phrase that follows:
Each
either
neither
one
no one
Every one
anyone
someone
everyone
anybody
Somebody
everybody
Example: Each does his own cooking.
Each of the chefs does his own cooking. (chefs is NOT the subject, so the verb
is still singular)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following words are always plural subjects regardless of the phrase that follows:
Several
few
both
many
Example: Several were transferred.
Several of the students were transferred.
Few can attend the game.
Few of the fans can attend the game.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following words could be singular or plural depending on the phrase that follows it.
Some
any
none
most
Example: Some of the show was hilarious. (Some is singular because it refers to show
which is singular)
Some of the actors were hilarious. (Some is plural because it refers to the
actors, which is plural).
All of the workout was hard. (why singular?)
All of the workouts were hard. (why plural?)
Exercise: Underline the subject of the sentence. Circle the correct verb.
Remember, the phrase is NOT the subject.
1. Each of the pictures (was, were) in a silver frame.
2. One of my friends (play, plays) the tuba.
3. All of our belongings (is, are) still unpacked.
4. Some of these rare books (has, have) leather covers.
5. None of the people in the theater audience (was, were) pleased with the film.
6. Every one of these jeans (is, are) too small.
7. A few in my class (was, were) asked to help out.
8. The lack of funds (present, presents) a problem.
9. Everybody living in Lewis Heights (go, goes) to Washington High School.
10. A band with two trumpet players and thirty-five clarinetists (sound, sounds)
terrible.