Learning English grammar can be tricky, but one rule you must master is subject-verb agreement. It’s one of the most important parts of speaking and writing correctly in English.
Don’t worry—it’s easier than it sounds! Let’s go step-by-step so your subjects and verbs always agree like a native speaker’s.
What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement means that the verb must match the subject in number.
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If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular.
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If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
✅ She walks to school every day. (singular subject → singular verb)
✅ They walk to school every day. (plural subject → plural verb)
10 Basic Rules You Should Remember
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs.
If the subject is one person or thing, add –s or –es to the verb.
✅ He plays football.
✅ She likes coffee.
2. Plural subjects take plural verbs.
Plural subjects don’t need –s on the verb.
✅ They play football.
✅ We like coffee.
3. The pronouns “I” and “you” use the base form of the verb.
Even though they are singular, they act like plurals in grammar.
✅ I work in Vietnam.
✅ You speak English very well.
4. Two subjects joined by “and” take a plural verb.
✅ Tom and Mary live in Ho Chi Minh City.
✅ My brother and I study English together.
5. Two subjects joined by “or” or “nor” — the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
✅ Either the teacher or the students are preparing the room.
✅ Either the students or the teacher is preparing the room.
6. Indefinite pronouns (everyone, somebody, each, etc.) are singular.
✅ Everyone loves pizza.
✅ Each student has a book.
7. Uncountable nouns take singular verbs.
✅ Money makes people happy.
✅ Water boils at 100°C.
8. Titles of books, movies, and organizations are singular.
✅ The Avengers is a popular movie.
✅ Starbucks is open early.
9. Collective nouns can be singular or plural, depending on meaning.
Use singular if the group acts as one; plural if individuals act separately.
✅ The team wins every game. (as one unit)
✅ The team are arguing among themselves. (individuals)
10. Words like “with,” “along with,” “as well as,” or “together with” don’t change the subject.
The verb agrees with the main subject, not the phrase that follows.
✅ The teacher, along with her students, is planning a trip.
✅ My friend, as well as his parents, loves traveling.
Common Mistakes ESL Learners Make
❌ She go to school every day.
✅ She goes to school every day.
❌ My friends lives near the park.
✅ My friends live near the park.
❌ Everybody know the rule.
✅ Everybody knows the rule.
Tips to Master Subject-Verb Agreement
💡 1. Listen carefully. Watch English movies or YouTube videos and notice how verbs change.
💡 2. Practice writing. Make five sentences daily using one rule.
💡 3. Review your mistakes. Keep a grammar notebook and write correct examples beside your errors.
💡 4. Use online quizzes. Try fun ESL grammar quizzes to test yourself.
Mini Practice Challenge: Test Your Grammar Skills!
Choose the correct verb for each sentence:
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My teacher ___ (teach / teaches) English.
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The dogs ___ (bark / barks) loudly.
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Everyone ___ (love / loves) ice cream.
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You and I ___ (is / are) good friends.
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Either Anna or her brothers ___ (is / are) joining the trip.
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The team ___ (win / wins) every match this year.
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Money ___ (make / makes) people do strange things.
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The book “Harry Potter” ___ (is / are) very popular.
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My mother, together with my sisters, ___ (cook / cooks) dinner every night.
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Nobody ___ (know / knows) where he went.
✅ Answers: 1. teaches, 2. bark, 3. loves, 4. are, 5. are, 6. wins, 7. makes, 8. is, 9. cooks, 10. knows
Final Thoughts
Subject-verb agreement may seem simple, but it’s one of the keys to sounding fluent and confident in English. Keep practicing, stay patient, and soon your grammar will feel natural every time you speak or write.
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