Okay, let's talk about subject-verb agreement. I used to mess this up constantly when I first started writing seriously. My editor would return my drafts covered in red circles around verbs – it drove me crazy. Why did "the team are" sound okay when technically it's wrong? This stuff trips up native speakers too, not just ESL learners.
Why Subject-Verb Agreement Matters in Real Life
You're writing an email to your professor. Or maybe a report for your boss. Perhaps even a dating profile? Using incorrect subject-verb agreement makes people pause. It subtly signals carelessness. I've seen clients dismiss otherwise great proposals over grammar slips. Getting it right builds credibility instantly.
Pro Tip: Subject-verb agreement errors are like spinach in your teeth – people notice but rarely tell you. Fix them before hitting "send".
The Absolute Basics (Don't Skip This!)
Singular subject = singular verb. Plural subject = plural verb. Sounds simple? Wait until you meet collective nouns or tricky phrases.
| Subject Type | Correct Verb | Wrong Verb | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Singular (The cat) | The cat jumps | The cat jump | Basic but essential |
| Simple Plural (The cats) | The cats jump | The cats jumps | Plural marker confusion |
| "Each" (Each student) | Each student has a book | Each student have a book | Indefinite pronouns trick |
Where Everyone Gets Stuck: Tricky Cases Explained
Here's where most subject-verb agreement examples guides fall short. They don't prepare you for the messy stuff.
Collective Nouns – Team, Family, Committee
This one's frustrating. In American English, treat groups as singular unless emphasizing individual members. British English differs – honestly, I find that inconsistency annoying.
Correct (US): The team is winning. (Team acting as unit)
Correct (Emphasis): The team are arguing about strategy. (Individual members)
Wrong: The team are winning. (Common mistake in US English)
Indefinite Pronouns: Everybody, Someone, Each
These always take singular verbs, even though they feel plural. I constantly have to double-check myself.
| Pronoun | Correct Usage | Real-World Application |
|---|---|---|
| Everybody | Everybody knows the rules | Emails, group instructions |
| Someone | Someone has left their bag | Notices, announcements |
| None | None of the cake is left (singular) None of the cookies are left (plural) |
Formal reports where precision matters |
Money, Time, Measurements
Treat these as singular units. Took me ages to internalize this.
Correct: Ten dollars is too much for coffee. (Whole amount)
Wrong: Ten dollars are too much.
Prepositional Phrases and Why They Trick You
The subject is NEVER inside a prepositional phrase. Ignore words between subject and verb. Honestly, this rule saved me countless errors.
Subject: The box of chocolates is on the table. (Box = singular)
Trap: "chocolates" is plural, but it's not the subject!
Subject: The instructions on the package are unclear. (Instructions = plural)
Watch Out: Phrases like "as well as", "along with", DON'T make subjects plural:
The CEO, as well as the managers, attends the meeting. (CEO is main subject)
Compound Subjects: And vs. Or
"And" usually creates plural, but "or" depends on the closest subject. This inconsistency still bugs me sometimes.
| Subjects Connected By | Verb Agreement | Subject Verb Agreement Example |
|---|---|---|
| AND (plural) | Plural verb | Peanut butter and jelly are my favorite |
| OR/NOR (closest subject) | Match nearest subject | Neither the teacher nor the students know the answer Neither the students nor the teacher knows the answer |
Real-World Applications: Where You'll Actually Use This
You didn't come here for boring drills. How does this play out daily?
Professional Emails
Wrong: "The status of the projects are updated below."
Correct: "The status (singular) of the projects is updated below."
Academic Writing
Wrong: "The data shows significant correlation." (Data is technically plural!)
Correct: "The data show significant correlation."
Social Media & Content
Wrong: "Everyone love our new product!"
Correct: "Everyone loves our new product!"
Spotting Agreement Errors in the Wild
Train your eye with these common mistakes:
- News Headline Mistake: "A group of protestors are blocking the road" (Should be "is" for US English)
- Resume Error: "My skills includes project management" (Skills = plural, should be "include")
- Website Copy Flub: "Each of our products have a warranty" (Each = singular, should be "has")
Subject Verb Agreement Examples FAQs
Do phrases like "a number of" take singular or plural verbs?
A: Depends! "The number" is singular: "The number of attendees is growing." But "A number" meaning "several" is plural: "A number of guests are late."
What about titles of books/movies? Singular or plural?
A: Always singular, even if plural-sounding: "The Avengers is my favorite movie."
"None" always takes singular, right?
A: Controversial! Traditionally singular ("None of it is true"), but modern usage often accepts plural with countable nouns ("None of the cookies are left"). Formal writing leans singular.
How do I handle fractions/percentages?
A: Look at the noun after "of": "One-third of the work is done" (work=uncountable). "Two-thirds of the employees are vaccinated" (employees=plural).
What's the biggest subject-verb agreement trap?
A: Prepositional phrases. People get distracted by words between subject and verb. Isolate the true subject first!
Practice Makes Permanent
Spot the errors in these real examples:
| Sentence | Error | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| The criteria for selection clearly states experience. | "Criteria" is plural; "states" is singular | The criteria state experience. |
| Neither of the options seem viable. | "Neither" is singular; "seem" is plural | Neither of the options seems viable. |
| His collection of rare coins are valuable. | Subject is "collection" (singular), not "coins" | His collection is valuable. |
My final tip? Read sentences backwards: find the verb first, then ask "WHO or WHAT is doing this?" That forces you to identify the true subject. It worked wonders for me.
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