Module: English Skills
Lesson: Subject-Verb Agreement
S-V or SV Agr = Subject-Verb Agreement
If you see the symbols above on an essay, lab report, or other text, it means that you have made an error in
subject-verb agreement. Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs.
Subject-verb agreement errors occur:
1. In the present tenses (simple present; present progressive; present perfect)
2. In terms of number (singular and plural)
3. Most often when a writer is using the third-person singular (He/She/It and Singular Indefinite
Pronouns)
Everyone in Prof. Salvador’s
chemistry seminar are going to
make a presentation at the
symposium.
Everyone in Prof. Salvador’s
chemistry seminar is going to
make a presentation at the
symposium.
Correct
Incorrect
An Basic Overview of Subject-Verb Agreement
Jenny is taking both Organic Chemistry I and Physics I.

A singular subject (in this case “Jenny”) requires a singular verb (“is taking”).
The chemistry students in Prof. Salvador’s class are taking a trip to Madrid next year,

A plural subject (in this case “students”) requires a plural verb (“are taking”).
Jenny and Devin are taking the bus home together next week.

Compound subjects (“Jenny and Devin” are a compound subject) require a plural verb (“are
taking”).
Everybody is taking Prof. Salvador’s course next semester.

Many singular indefinite pronouns look as if they are plural. For example, “everybody” is actually
singular. As a singular subject, it requires a singular verb (“is taking”).
These singular pronouns look plural. They require singular verbs:
Anybody
Anyone
Everybody
Anything
Everyone
Nobody