Subject–Verb Agreement
Make verbs agree with simple and complex subjects, including indefinite pronouns, quantities, and coordinated noun phrases.
Learning Objective
Subject–Verb Agreement
Identify the grammatical head of a subject and select the matching singular or plural verb form.
Clear Explanation
A finite present-tense verb agrees with its grammatical subject, not necessarily with the nearest noun. Agreement can depend on the head noun, coordination, and whether a quantity is viewed as one unit.
Form and Structure
singular subject + singular verb; plural subject + plural verb
“The list of items is on the desk.”
Collective nouns vary by meaning and dialect: The team is winning treats it as a unit; The team are arguing is common in British English when members are foregrounded.
Meaning and Use
Find the head noun
Ignore intervening prepositional phrases when identifying the subject’s number.
“The quality of the reports has improved.”
Indefinite pronouns
Each, everyone, and nobody normally take singular agreement in formal standard English.
“Everyone is ready.”
Either/or and neither/nor
With unlike numbers, proximity agreement is common, though rephrasing is often clearer.
“Neither the teacher nor the students are waiting.”
Common Errors and Meaning Traps
The box of files are missing.
The box of files is missing.
The singular head noun box controls agreement.
Each student have a code.
Each student has a code.
Each takes a singular verb.
The results shows a clear trend.
The results show a clear trend.
The plural subject results takes show.
Guided Practice
Use the grammar in context
“Each of the applicants has received an email.”
“Neither the manager nor the assistants are available.”
Underline the head noun in five complex subjects and choose the verb form that agrees with it.
Quick Recap
A finite present-tense verb agrees with its grammatical subject, not necessarily with the nearest noun. Agreement can depend on the head noun, coordination, and whether a quantity is viewed as one unit.
Ignore intervening prepositional phrases when identifying the subject’s number.
Collective nouns vary by meaning and dialect: The team is winning treats it as a unit; The team are arguing is common in British English when members are foregrounded.
The singular head noun box controls agreement.
Independent Mastery Check
Complete these four checks before taking the quiz. If one feels difficult, return to the matching section and try again.
Explain the core rule in your own words without looking back at the lesson.
Find the target form in “The list of items is on the desk.” and explain what it communicates in this context.
Explain why “The box of files is missing.” is the recommended revision for “The box of files are missing.”.
Underline the head noun in five complex subjects and choose the verb form that agrees with it.
Continue at B1-B2 Level
Aim for at least 5 out of 6 in the quiz below. For every missed answer, read the explanation, return to the relevant section, and try the quiz again.
Which statement best explains Subject–Verb Agreement?
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