Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, ensuring that verbs match their subjects in number (singular or plural). One of the most common areas of confusion arises with verbs ending in ‘s,’ particularly in the present tense.
Understanding how these verbs interact with different subjects is crucial for clear and accurate communication. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to subject-verb agreement with ‘s’ ending verbs, covering definitions, rules, examples, common mistakes, and practice exercises.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you master this essential grammar concept and improve your writing and speaking skills.
This guide is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners who are just starting to grasp the basics of grammar to advanced learners who want to refine their understanding and avoid common errors. Native English speakers may also find this guide useful for reinforcing their knowledge and addressing any lingering questions about subject-verb agreement.
By the end of this article, you will have a solid understanding of how to use ‘s’ ending verbs correctly and confidently in your own writing and speech.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Subject-Verb Agreement with ‘S’ Ending Verbs
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Subject-Verb Agreement with ‘S’ Ending Verbs
Subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. In the present tense, most verbs add an ‘s’ or ‘es’ ending when the subject is a singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it). Conversely, the verb does not take an ‘s’ ending when the subject is a plural noun or pronoun (I, you, we, they). This seemingly simple rule can be tricky in practice, especially with compound subjects, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns.
The primary function of subject-verb agreement is to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. When the subject and verb agree, the sentence is easier to understand, and the intended meaning is more apparent.
Without proper subject-verb agreement, sentences can sound awkward or even confusing. Therefore, mastering this concept is essential for effective communication in English.
The context in which subject-verb agreement is applied is primarily in the present tense. While the ‘s’ ending doesn’t directly apply to past tense verbs (except for the verb ‘to be’, where ‘was’ is used with singular subjects), understanding present tense agreement is crucial because it forms the foundation for more complex grammatical structures.
In formal writing and academic settings, strict adherence to subject-verb agreement is expected. In informal speech, some deviations may occur, but it’s still important to understand the rules to avoid miscommunication.
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure of a sentence involving subject-verb agreement with ‘s’ ending verbs is as follows: Subject + Verb (+s/es) + (Optional Object/Complement). The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb. The verb is the action word that describes what the subject is doing. The ‘s’ or ‘es’ is added to the verb when the subject is singular in the present tense.
Let’s break down this structure with some examples:
- She reads books. (Singular subject, verb with ‘s’)
- They read books. (Plural subject, verb without ‘s’)
- The dog barks loudly. (Singular subject, verb with ‘s’)
- The dogs bark loudly. (Plural subject, verb without ‘s’)
The key to understanding subject-verb agreement lies in identifying the subject and determining whether it is singular or plural. Once you know the number of the subject, you can choose the correct form of the verb.
It is also important to note that the ‘s’ ending on a noun usually indicates a plural form (e.g., dogs, cats, books), while the ‘s’ ending on a verb usually indicates a singular subject (e.g., he reads, she writes, it runs).
Types and Categories
Subject-verb agreement with ‘s’ ending verbs can be categorized based on the type of subject:
Singular Subjects
Singular subjects require the verb to have an ‘s’ or ‘es’ ending in the present tense. This includes singular nouns (e.g., cat, book, student) and singular pronouns (e.g., he, she, it).
Plural Subjects
Plural subjects require the verb to be in its base form (without an ‘s’ or ‘es’ ending) in the present tense. This includes plural nouns (e.g., cats, books, students) and plural pronouns (e.g., I, you, we, they).
Compound Subjects
Compound subjects are two or more subjects joined by a conjunction such as ‘and,’ ‘or,’ or ‘nor.’ The verb agreement depends on the conjunction used. When subjects are joined by ‘and,’ the verb is usually plural.
When subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor,’ the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals but are treated as a single unit (e.g., team, family, committee). The verb agreement depends on whether the group is acting as a single unit (singular verb) or as individual members (plural verb).
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecified persons or things (e.g., everyone, someone, nobody, each, every). Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, every, either, neither, someone, everyone, nobody, anyone), while others can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most).
Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement
Here are some examples illustrating subject-verb agreement with ‘s’ ending verbs, organized by category:
Singular Subjects
The table below provides several sentences with singular subjects and their corresponding verbs. Notice the ‘s’ ending on the verb when the subject is singular.
Each example emphasizes the correct use of the verb form to match the singular subject.
Subject | Verb | Sentence |
---|---|---|
He | eats | He eats breakfast every morning. |
She | writes | She writes beautiful poetry. |
It | rains | It rains frequently in the spring. |
The cat | sleeps | The cat sleeps on the windowsill. |
The dog | barks | The dog barks at the mailman. |
My mother | cooks | My mother cooks delicious meals. |
The student | studies | The student studies hard for the exam. |
The teacher | explains | The teacher explains the lesson clearly. |
The car | runs | The car runs smoothly on the highway. |
The house | stands | The house stands on a hill. |
The book | contains | The book contains valuable information. |
The movie | starts | The movie starts at 7 PM. |
The song | sounds | The song sounds beautiful. |
The phone | rings | The phone rings loudly. |
The computer | works | The computer works efficiently. |
John | plays | John plays the guitar. |
Mary | sings | Mary sings in the choir. |
The sun | shines | The sun shines brightly. |
The moon | appears | The moon appears in the night sky. |
The wind | blows | The wind blows through the trees. |
The bird | flies | The bird flies high in the sky. |
The fish | swims | The fish swims in the ocean. |
The tree | grows | The tree grows tall. |
The flower | blooms | The flower blooms in the spring. |
The river | flows | The river flows to the sea. |
Plural Subjects
The following table showcases sentences with plural subjects and their corresponding verbs. Notice that the verbs do not have an ‘s’ ending when the subject is plural, reflecting the basic rule of subject-verb agreement.
These examples cover various plural subjects to illustrate the consistency of this rule.
Subject | Verb | Sentence |
---|---|---|
I | eat | I eat breakfast every morning. |
You | write | You write beautiful poetry. |
We | play | We play soccer on weekends. |
They | read | They read books every night. |
The cats | sleep | The cats sleep on the windowsill. |
The dogs | bark | The dogs bark at strangers. |
My parents | cook | My parents cook delicious meals. |
The students | study | The students study hard for the exam. |
The teachers | explain | The teachers explain the lessons clearly. |
The cars | run | The cars run smoothly on the highway. |
The houses | stand | The houses stand on a hill. |
The books | contain | The books contain valuable information. |
The movies | start | The movies start at 7 PM. |
The songs | sound | The songs sound beautiful. |
The phones | ring | The phones ring loudly. |
The computers | work | The computers work efficiently. |
John and Mary | sing | John and Mary sing in the choir. |
The sun and moon | appear | The sun and moon appear in the sky. |
The winds | blow | The winds blow through the trees. |
The birds | fly | The birds fly high in the sky. |
The fish | swim | The fish swim in the ocean. |
The trees | grow | The trees grow tall. |
The flowers | bloom | The flowers bloom in the spring. |
The rivers | flow | The rivers flow to the sea. |
Those children | play | Those children play in the park. |
Compound Subjects
This table demonstrates how subject-verb agreement works with compound subjects. Pay attention to how the conjunctions ‘and’, ‘or’, and ‘nor’ affect the verb form.
These examples highlight the importance of identifying the correct subject when using compound constructions.
Subject | Verb | Sentence |
---|---|---|
John and Mary | eat | John and Mary eat lunch together. |
The cat and the dog | play | The cat and the dog play in the yard. |
My brother and I | watch | My brother and I watch movies on weekends. |
Coffee or tea | is | Coffee or tea is a good choice. |
The book or the magazine | is | The book or the magazine is on the table. |
Neither John nor Mary | is | Neither John nor Mary is available. |
Neither the students nor the teacher | is | Neither the students nor the teacher is present. |
The singer and the dancer | perform | The singer and the dancer perform on stage. |
The pen and the paper | are | The pen and the paper are necessary for writing. |
The chair and the table | are | The chair and the table are in the living room. |
The sun and the moon | shine | The sun and the moon shine in the sky. |
The wind and the rain | cause | The wind and the rain cause damage. |
The bread and the butter | are | The bread and the butter are on the counter. |
The knife and the fork | are | The knife and the fork are beside the plate. |
The shirt and the pants | are | The shirt and the pants are in the closet. |
The shoes and the socks | are | The shoes and the socks are under the bed. |
The hat and the gloves | are | The hat and the gloves are on the shelf. |
The computer and the printer | are | The computer and the printer are in the office. |
The phone and the charger | are | The phone and the charger are on the desk. |
The keys and the wallet | are | The keys and the wallet are in the bag. |
The flowers and the vase | are | The flowers and the vase are on the table. |
The picture and the frame | are | The picture and the frame are on the wall. |
The television and the remote | are | The television and the remote are in the living room. |
The door and the window | are | The door and the window are open. |
The book and the pen | are | The book and the pen are on the desk. |
Collective Nouns
This table provides examples of collective nouns and how they can take either a singular or plural verb form, depending on the context. Understanding the intention behind the usage of the collective noun is crucial for correct subject-verb agreement.
These examples illustrate the nuances of using collective nouns in sentences.
Subject | Verb | Sentence |
---|---|---|
The team | is | The team is practicing hard. (acting as a unit) |
The team | are | The team are arguing about their roles. (acting as individuals) |
The family | is | The family is going on vacation. (acting as a unit) |
The family | are | The family are discussing their plans. (acting as individuals) |
The committee | meets | The committee meets every Tuesday. (acting as a unit) |
The committee | have | The committee have different opinions. (acting as individuals) |
The audience | was | The audience was captivated by the performance. (acting as a unit) |
The audience | were | The audience were clapping enthusiastically. (acting as individuals) |
The class | is | The class is learning about grammar. (acting as a unit) |
The class | are | The class are working on different projects. (acting as individuals) |
The jury | is | The jury is delivering its verdict. (acting as a unit) |
The jury | are | The jury are divided on the issue. (acting as individuals) |
The crowd | is | The crowd is cheering for the team. (acting as a unit) |
The crowd | are | The crowd are expressing their opinions. (acting as individuals) |
The group | is | The group is working on a project. (acting as a unit) |
The group | have | The group have various backgrounds. (acting as individuals) |
The band | plays | The band plays at the concert. (acting as a unit) |
The band | are | The band are tuning their instruments. (acting as individuals) |
The government | is | The government is implementing new policies. (acting as a unit) |
The government | have | The government have different views. (acting as individuals) |
The company | is | The company is launching a new product. (acting as a unit) |
The company | are | The company are discussing profits. (acting as individuals) |
The staff | is | The staff is dedicated to their work. (acting as a unit) |
The staff | are | The staff are taking a break. (acting as individuals) |
The flock | flies | The flock flies south for the winter. (acting as a unit) |
Indefinite Pronouns
The table below illustrates the subject-verb agreement with indefinite pronouns. Note that some indefinite pronouns are always singular, some are always plural, and others can be either singular or plural depending on the context.
This table provides clear examples to help understand these distinctions.
Subject | Verb | Sentence |
---|---|---|
Everyone | is | Everyone is welcome. (singular) |
Someone | has | Someone has left their bag. (singular) |
Nobody | knows | Nobody knows the answer. (singular) |
Each | has | Each has a different opinion. (singular) |
Every | is | Every student is required to attend. (singular) |
Few | are | Few are interested in the topic. (plural) |
Several | have | Several have already arrived. (plural) |
Both | are | Both are good choices. (plural) |
Some | is | Some of the water is gone. (singular) |
Some | are | Some of the students are absent. (plural) |
Any | is | Any of the pie is fine with me. (singular) |
Any | are | Any of the books are acceptable. (plural) |
None | is | None of the food is left. (singular) |
None | are | None of the tickets are available. (plural) |
Most | is | Most of the milk is gone. (singular) |
Most | are | Most of the apples are rotten. (plural) |
All | is | All of the cake is eaten. (singular) |
All | are | All of the children are playing. (plural) |
Either | is | Either option is acceptable. (singular) |
Neither | is | Neither choice is correct. (singular) |
One | is | One of the boys is missing. (singular) |
Much | is | Much of the work is done. (singular) |
Little | is | Little is known about the subject. (singular) |
Another | is | Another example is needed. (singular) |
Anything | is | Anything is possible. (singular) |
Usage Rules
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the rules governing subject-verb agreement with ‘s’ ending verbs:
Basic Rule
A singular subject takes a verb with an ‘s’ or ‘es’ ending in the present tense. A plural subject takes a verb without an ‘s’ or ‘es’ ending.
Compound Subjects Joined by ‘And’
Subjects joined by ‘and’ usually take a plural verb. Example: John and Mary eat lunch together.
Compound Subjects Joined by ‘Or’ or ‘Nor’
The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Example: Neither John nor his parents are home.
Collective Nouns Rule
If the collective noun is acting as a single unit, use a singular verb. If the collective noun is acting as individual members, use a plural verb. Example: The team is practicing hard. / The team are arguing about their roles.
Indefinite Pronouns Rule
Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, every, someone, nobody), while others can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most). Example: Everyone is welcome. / Some of the students are absent.
Sentences Beginning with ‘There’ or ‘Here’
The subject follows the verb in sentences beginning with ‘there’ or ‘here.’ Example: There is a book on the table. / Here are the keys.
Phrases Between Subject and Verb
Phrases between the subject and verb do not affect subject-verb agreement. Example: The book, along with the pen, is on the desk.
Exceptions and Special Cases
- Irregular Verbs: The verb ‘to be’ has irregular forms (am, is, are, was, were).
- Titles of Works: Titles of books, movies, and songs are treated as singular, even if they contain plural nouns. Example: “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is a classic novel.
- Units of Measurement: Units of measurement are usually treated as singular when they refer to a single quantity. Example: Five dollars is a lot of money.
Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using subject-verb agreement with ‘s’ ending verbs:
Incorrect Agreement with Singular Subjects
Incorrect: He eat breakfast every morning.
Correct: He eats breakfast every morning.
Incorrect Agreement with Plural Subjects
Incorrect: They eats lunch together.
Correct: They eat lunch together.
Incorrect Agreement with Compound Subjects
Incorrect: John and Mary eats lunch together.
Correct: John and Mary eat lunch together.
Incorrect Agreement with Collective Nouns
Incorrect: The team are practicing hard. (when acting as a unit)
Correct: The team is practicing hard.
Incorrect Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
Incorrect: Everyone are welcome.
Correct: Everyone is welcome.
Ignoring Intervening Phrases
Incorrect: The book, along with the pens, are on the desk.
Correct: The book, along with the pens, is on the desk.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of subject-verb agreement with these practice exercises:
Exercise 1: Basic Subject-Verb Agreement
Choose the correct verb form in the following sentences:
Question | Answer Choices | Correct Answer |
---|---|---|
1. She _______ (like/likes) to read books. | a) like, b) likes | b) likes |
2. They _______ (play/plays) soccer on weekends. | a) play, b) plays | a) play |
3. The cat _______ (sleep/sleeps) on the bed. | a) sleep, b) sleeps | b) sleeps |
4. We _______ (watch/watches) movies every Friday. | a) watch, b) watches | a) watch |
5. He _______ (run/runs) fast. | a) run, b) runs | b) runs |
6. The birds _______ (fly/flies) south for the winter. | a) fly, b) flies | a) fly |
7. The dog _______ (bark/barks) at strangers. | a) bark, b) barks | b) barks |
8. I _______ (eat/eats) breakfast every morning. | a) eat, b) eats | a) eat |
9. You _______ (write/writes) beautiful stories. | a) write, b) writes | a) write |
10. It _______ (rain/rains) a lot in April. | a) rain, b) rains | b) rains |
Exercise 2: Compound Subjects
Choose the correct verb form in the following sentences with compound subjects:
Question | Answer Choices | Correct Answer |
---|---|---|
1. John and Mary _______ (is/are) friends. | a) is, b) are | b) are |
2. The cat and the dog _______ (play/plays) together. | a) play, b) plays | a) play |
3. Coffee or tea _______ (is/are) a good choice. | a) is, b) are | a) is |
4. Neither John nor his parents _______ (is/are) home. | a) is, b) are | b) are |
5. My brother and I _______ (watch/watches) movies. | a) watch, b) watches | a) watch |
6. The book and the pen _______ (is/are) on the desk. | a) is, b) are | b) are |
7. The shirt and the pants _______ (look/looks) good together. | a) look, b) looks | a) look |
8. The computer and the printer _______ (work/works) well. | a) work, b) works | a) work |
9. The keys and the wallet _______ (is/are) in the bag. | a) is, b) are | b) are |
10. The flowers and the vase _______ (sit/sits) on the table. | a) sit, b) sits | a) sit |
Exercise 3: Collective Nouns and Indefinite Pronouns
Choose the correct verb form in the following sentences with collective nouns and indefinite pronouns:
Question | Answer Choices | Correct Answer |
---|---|---|
1. The team _______ (is/are) practicing hard. (acting as a unit) | a) is, b) are | a) is |
2. The family _______ (is/are) planning a vacation. (acting as a unit) | a) is, b) are | a) is |
3. Everyone _______ (is/are) welcome. | a) is, b) are | a) is |
4. Someone _______ (has/have) left their bag. | a) has, b) have | a) has |
5. The committee _______ (meet/meets) every Tuesday. (acting as a unit) | a) meet, b) meets | b) meets |
6. Some of the water _______ (is/are) gone. | a) is, b) are | a) is |
7. Some of the students _______ (is/are) absent. | a) is, b) are | b) are |
8. Each _______ (has/have) a different opinion. | a) has, b) have | a) has |
9. The audience _______ (was/were) captivated. (acting as a unit) | a) was, b) were | a) was |
10. Few _______ (is/are) interested in the topic. | a) is, b) are | b) are |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, here are some more complex aspects of subject-verb agreement:
Sentences with Inverted Subject-Verb Order
In some sentences, the verb comes before the subject. This is common in questions and sentences that begin with adverbs or prepositional phrases. Example:
There are many books on the shelf.
In these cases, you need to identify the actual subject to ensure the verb agrees with it. The words that come before the verb are not always the subject.
Relative Clauses
Relative clauses are clauses that begin with a relative pronoun such as ‘who,’ ‘which,’ or ‘that.’ The verb in the relative clause must agree with the noun or pronoun that the relative pronoun refers to. Example: The student who studies hard always succeeds.
It’s crucial to identify the antecedent of the relative pronoun to make sure the verb agrees with the correct subject. Incorrect agreement in relative clauses can lead to confusion and grammatical errors.
Titles of Works and Companies
Titles of books, movies, and companies are generally treated as singular, even if they contain plural nouns. Example: “The Grapes of Wrath” is a famous novel. / Apple is a technology company.
This rule might seem counterintuitive, but it simplifies subject-verb agreement by treating the title or name as a single entity. Always use a singular verb with titles and company names, regardless of their internal structure.
“The number” vs. “A number”
The phrase “the number” is singular, while “a number” is plural. Example: The number of students is increasing. / A number of students are absent.
Understanding this distinction is essential for accurate subject-verb agreement in sentences that use these phrases. Pay attention to the article used before “number” to determine whether the subject is singular or plural.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is subject-verb agreement?
A: Subject-verb agreement is the correspondence in number (singular or plural) between the subject and the verb in a sentence. It ensures that the verb form matches the subject.
Q: Why is subject-verb agreement important?
A: Subject-verb agreement is important for grammatical correctness and clear communication. It helps ensure that sentences are easy to understand and that the intended meaning is apparent.
Q: What are the basic rules for subject-verb agreement with ‘s’ ending verbs?
A: A singular subject takes a verb with an ‘s’ or ‘es’ ending in the present tense, while a plural subject takes a verb without an ‘s’ or ‘es’ ending.
Q: How does subject-verb agreement work with compound subjects?
A: If the subjects are joined by ‘and,’ the verb is usually plural. If the subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor,’ the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Q: What are collective nouns, and how do they affect subject-verb agreement?
A: Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals but can be treated as a single unit (singular verb) or as individual members (plural verb), depending on the context.
Q: What are indefinite pronouns, and how do they affect subject-verb agreement?
A: Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecified persons or things. Some are always singular (e.g., everyone, someone), while others can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none).
Q: How do I handle sentences that begin with ‘there’ or ‘here’?
A: In sentences beginning with ‘there’ or ‘here,’ the subject follows the verb. Make sure the verb agrees with the actual subject, not with ‘there’ or ‘here.’
Q: What should I do if there is a phrase between the subject and the verb?
A: Phrases between the subject and verb do not affect subject-verb agreement. Focus on the actual subject to determine the correct verb form.
Q: Are there any exceptions to the rules of subject-verb agreement?
A: Yes, there are exceptions, such as irregular verbs (e.g., ‘to be’) and titles of works, which are treated as singular even if they contain plural nouns.
Q: How can I improve my subject-verb agreement skills?
A: Practice identifying subjects and verbs in sentences, paying attention to their number. Review the rules and examples provided in this article and do practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.
Conclusion
Mastering subject-verb agreement with ‘s’ ending verbs is essential for clear and effective communication in English. By understanding the basic rules, types of subjects, and common mistakes, you can improve your writing and speaking skills.
Remember to identify the subject of each sentence and ensure that the verb agrees with it in number. Practice regularly and pay attention to the context in which subject-verb agreement is applied.
With consistent effort, you can confidently use ‘s’ ending verbs correctly and avoid common errors. This comprehensive guide has provided you with the knowledge and tools necessary to master this fundamental aspect of English grammar.