Subject/Verb Agreement Notes
A
SENTENCE is a group of words expressing a complete thought.

The subject is the part of the sentence about which something is explained; it is what the sentence is
talking about.
o
o

The werewolf had a headache.
His infected fang caused him to wince.
The predicate is the other necessary part of the sentence; it is the part that has something to say about
the subject.
o
o
The humiliated woman is squatting under the bridge.
The door slammed in his face.
Usage - Subject-Verb Agreement
Subjects and verbs must AGREE with one another in number (singular or plural). Thus, if a subject is
singular, its verb must also be singular; if a subject is plural, its verb must also be plural.
A phrase or clause between subject and verb does not change the number of the subject.
Compound subjects joined by and are always plural.
With compound subjects joined by or/nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it.
Subject/Verb Agreement Notes
Plural indefinite pronoun subjects take plural verbs.
PLURAL: several, few, both, many
Some indefinite pronouns may be either singular or plural: with uncountable, use singular; with
countable, use plural.
EITHER SINGULAR OR PLURAL: some, any, none, all, most
Sugar is uncountable; therefore, the sentence has a singular verb.
Marbles are countable; therefore, the sentence has a plural verb.
PRACTICE: Circle the correct verb below (the one that “agrees” with the subject.
1.
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9.
Someone sing/sings a solo in the talent show.
Spaghetti and pizza is/are his favorite foods.
The senior judge, as well as three junior judges, is/are to attend the seminar.
There was/were a flat tire on the bicycle.
Neither Max nor Clara use/uses Heinz 57 on hamburgers or French fries.
The team, including the coach, host/hosts the pep rally each spring.
Each of the girls is/are excited about the movie.
His favorite meal is/are spaghetti and meatballs.
One of the two teachers is/are eligible for promotion this year.