Have you ever said something in English and felt like it sounded a bit strange? Sometimes, making a tiny mistake can change how clear your writing or speaking is. One of the most common mistakes English learners make is with subject-verb agreement.
It might sound like a complicated grammatical term, but the idea is actually very simple. Let’s look at how it works so you can avoid this common trap!
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
In English, the subject (the person, place, or thing doing the action) and the verb (the action word) must match. They need to work together as a team.
The basic rule is:
- If the subject is singular (one), the verb must be singular.
- If the subject is plural (more than one), the verb must be plural.
This rule is especially important when we write or speak in the present tense.
The Golden Rule of “-s”
The easiest way to remember subject-verb agreement in the present tense is to look at the letter s.
- With a singular subject (he, she, it, the cat, my friend), the verb usually ends with an s.
- With a plural subject (they, we, the cats, my friends), the verb does not have an s.
Note: The pronouns I and you are special. Even though they are singular, they follow the plural rule and do not take an s (e.g., I walk, you smile).
Quick Reference Table
| Subject Type | Subject Example | Correct Verb | Example Sentence |
| Singular | The student | studyes | The student studies every night. |
| Plural | The students | study | The students study every night. |
| Singular | My brother | likes | My brother likes pizza. |
| Plural | My brothers | like | My brothers like pizza. |
3 Common Traps (And How to Avoid Them)
Sometimes, sentences get complicated, and it is easy to make a mistake. Watch out for these three tricky situations:
1. Words in the Middle
Sometimes, extra words come between the subject and the verb. Do not let these words confuse you! Find the real subject.
- Incorrect: The box of chocolates are on the table.
- Correct: The box of chocolates is on the table.(Why? The subject is the “box” [singular], not the “chocolates” [plural].)
2. Everyone, Someone, and Nobody
Words that end in -one, -body, or -thing sound like they are about many people, but grammatically, they are always singular.
- Incorrect: Everyone are happy today.
- Correct: Everyone is happy today.
- Correct: Somebody wants to talk to you.
3. Using “And”
When you connect two singular subjects with the word and, they become a plural team. Therefore, you need a plural verb.
- Incorrect: Alex and Sarah lives in London.
- Correct: Alex and Sarah live in London.
Test Yourself!
Read your writing carefully during your next English practice. Circle the subject, underline the verb, and ask yourself: Are they a matching team? If your subject has an “s” (plural), your present tense verb probably shouldn’t have one. If your subject doesn’t have an “s” (singular), your verb needs it!