Adding ‘S’ to Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide to Subject-Verb Agreement

Mastering the addition of ‘s’ to verbs is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, crucial for ensuring clear and correct communication. This seemingly simple rule governs how verbs change based on their subjects, directly impacting the grammatical accuracy and readability of sentences.

Whether you’re an ESL student, a seasoned writer looking for a refresher, or simply someone who wants to improve their English skills, understanding subject-verb agreement is essential. This article provides a comprehensive guide to this rule, covering definitions, structural breakdowns, examples, usage guidelines, common mistakes, practice exercises, and advanced topics to elevate your understanding of English grammar.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Subject-verb agreement is a cornerstone of English grammar, ensuring that verbs align correctly with their subjects in number (singular or plural). This agreement directly impacts the clarity and correctness of sentences, and mastering it is essential for effective communication.

By understanding when and why to add an ‘s’ to a verb, writers and speakers can avoid common errors and create grammatically sound and easily understandable content. This article is designed to provide a comprehensive guide to this fundamental rule, catering to learners of all levels and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently apply it in their writing and speech.

Definition of Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement refers to the correspondence between a subject and its verb in terms of number. In the present tense, singular subjects (I, he, she, it) typically take verbs without an ‘s’ (except for ‘I’ and ‘you’), while plural subjects (we, you, they) take verbs without an ‘s’.

This rule ensures that the verb form accurately reflects the number of the subject, maintaining grammatical consistency and clarity. The principle is simple: the verb must “agree” with its subject.

For example, “He walks” (singular) versus “They walk” (plural).

Structural Breakdown

The basic structure of a sentence involving subject-verb agreement is straightforward: Subject + Verb (+ Optional ‘s’) + Object/Complement. The key is identifying the subject and determining whether it is singular or plural. Once the subject is identified, the verb must be adjusted accordingly. For singular subjects (excluding ‘I’ and ‘you’ which are exceptions), add ‘s’ to the base form of the verb in the present tense. For plural subjects, use the base form of the verb without adding ‘s’.

Consider these examples:

  • Singular: She sings beautifully. (Subject: She, Verb: sings)
  • Plural: They sing in the choir. (Subject: They, Verb: sing)

Understanding this basic structure is crucial for applying the rule correctly. The verb must always agree with its subject, regardless of any intervening words or phrases.

Types and Categories

Singular Subjects

Singular subjects refer to one person, place, thing, or idea. Singular subjects typically take verbs with an ‘s’ in the present tense (except for ‘I’ and ‘you’).

Common singular pronouns include he, she, it, and singular nouns such as ‘cat,’ ‘dog,’ ‘book,’ etc. Understanding how singular subjects interact with verbs is fundamental to mastering subject-verb agreement.

Plural Subjects

Plural subjects refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. Plural subjects generally take verbs without an ‘s’ in the present tense.

Common plural pronouns include we, you, they, and plural nouns such as ‘cats,’ ‘dogs,’ ‘books,’ etc. Identifying plural subjects is crucial for correctly applying subject-verb agreement rules.

Compound Subjects

Compound subjects are two or more subjects joined by a conjunction, usually ‘and’ or ‘or’. When subjects are joined by ‘and’, they typically take a plural verb.

However, when subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Understanding how to handle compound subjects is vital for constructing grammatically correct sentences.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals or things considered as a single unit. Examples include ‘team,’ ‘family,’ ‘committee,’ ‘group,’ etc.

Collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs, depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members. If the group acts as a single unit, use a singular verb.

If the members act individually, use a plural verb. This distinction is important for accurate subject-verb agreement with collective nouns.

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., everyone, someone, nobody, each, either, neither), while others are always plural (e.g., several, both, few, many).

Still, others can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most). Knowing which indefinite pronouns are singular, plural, or variable is crucial for correct subject-verb agreement.

Examples

Singular Subject Examples

Here are examples of sentences with singular subjects and their corresponding verbs with the ‘s’ ending in the present tense. Note that the subject is a single entity, and the verb reflects this by adding an ‘s’.

Subject Verb Sentence
He Walks He walks to school every day.
She Sings She sings beautifully in the choir.
It Rains It rains frequently in the spring.
The cat Sleeps The cat sleeps on the windowsill.
The dog Barks The dog barks loudly at strangers.
My mother Cooks My mother cooks delicious meals.
Her brother Plays Her brother plays the guitar.
This book Costs This book costs twenty dollars.
That car Runs That car runs smoothly.
The sun Shines The sun shines brightly.
The company Profits The company profits soared this year.
The teacher Explains The teacher explains the lesson clearly.
The student Studies The student studies diligently.
The artist Paints The artist paints stunning landscapes.
The chef Prepares The chef prepares gourmet dishes.
The singer Performs The singer performs on stage.
The actor Acts The actor acts convincingly in the play.
The writer Writes The writer writes compelling stories.
The programmer Codes The programmer codes efficiently.
The doctor Treats The doctor treats patients with care.
Each person Wants Each person wants to be happy.
Nobody Knows Nobody knows the answer.
Someone Asks Someone asks a question.

Plural Subject Examples

Here are examples of sentences with plural subjects and their corresponding verbs without the ‘s’ ending in the present tense. The subjects are more than one entity, and the verbs reflect this by not adding the ‘s’.

Subject Verb Sentence
They Walk They walk to school together.
We Sing We sing in the church choir.
The cats Sleep The cats sleep on the bed.
The dogs Bark The dogs bark at the mailman.
My parents Cook My parents cook dinner every night.
Her brothers Play Her brothers play basketball.
These books Cost These books cost too much.
Those cars Run Those cars run very fast.
The stars Shine The stars shine brightly at night.
The companies Profit The companies profit from innovation.
The teachers Explain The teachers explain the rules.
The students Study The students study for their exams.
The artists Paint The artists paint murals in the city.
The chefs Prepare The chefs prepare fine cuisine.
The singers Perform The singers perform at the concert.
The actors Act The actors act in the theater.
The writers Write The writers write articles for the magazine.
The programmers Code The programmers code new applications.
The doctors Treat The doctors treat patients in the hospital.
Many people Want Many people want to travel the world.
Few people Know Few people know the truth.
Several students Ask Several students ask questions.
Both cars Need Both cars need to be washed.

Compound Subjects Examples

Here are examples of sentences with compound subjects. Note how the verb changes based on whether the subjects are joined by ‘and’ (typically plural) or ‘or/nor’ (agrees with the closest subject).

Compound subjects add complexity to subject-verb agreement.

Subject Conjunction Verb Sentence
John and Mary and Walk John and Mary walk to the park.
The cat and the dog and Play The cat and the dog play together.
Coffee or tea or Is Coffee or tea is a good choice.
Neither the students nor the teacher nor Is Neither the students nor the teacher is present.
The books and the pens and Belong The books and the pens belong to her.
The car and the motorcycle and Are The car and the motorcycle are in the garage.
Pizza or pasta or Is Pizza or pasta is a good option for dinner.
Neither the manager nor the employees nor Agree Neither the manager nor the employees agree with the decision.
The singer and the dancer and Perform The singer and the dancer perform on stage.
The apple and the orange and Are The apple and the orange are fresh.
The house or the apartment or Is The house or the apartment is a good investment.
Neither the children nor their mother nor Is Neither the children nor their mother is home.
The doctor and the nurse and Work The doctor and the nurse work in the hospital.
The sun and the moon and Shine The sun and the moon shine in the sky.
The movie or the book or Is The movie or the book is a good way to relax.
Neither the cat nor the dogs nor Are Neither the cat nor the dogs are allowed inside.
The artist and the sculptor and Create The artist and the sculptor create beautiful pieces.
The bread and the butter and Are The bread and the butter are on the table.
The game or the puzzle or Is The game or the puzzle is a good way to pass the time.
Neither the rain nor the snow nor Is Neither the rain nor the snow is expected today.
The teacher and the principal and Collaborate The teacher and the principal collaborate on school projects.

Collective Nouns Examples

Here are examples of sentences using collective nouns. Observe how the verb form can change based on whether the collective noun is acting as a single unit or as individual members.

The choice between singular and plural verbs depends on the context.

Collective Noun Verb (Singular) Sentence (Singular) Verb (Plural) Sentence (Plural)
The team Is The team is practicing hard. Are The team are arguing about the strategy.
The family Is The family is on vacation. Are The family are deciding what to do.
The committee Meets The committee meets every week. Disagree The committee disagree on the proposal.
The group Is The group is ready to start. Are The group are expressing their opinions.
The class Is The class is taking a test. Are The class are working on different projects.
The jury Has The jury has reached a verdict. Are The jury are divided on the issue.
The audience Is The audience is clapping enthusiastically. Are The audience are expressing different opinions.
The staff Is The staff is working efficiently. Are The staff are taking their breaks.
The government Is The government is implementing new policies. Are The government are debating the new law.
The crowd Is The crowd is cheering for the team. Are The crowd are dispersing after the event.
The band Is The band is playing their new song. Are The band are tuning their instruments.
The board Is The board is making an important decision. Are The board are sharing their perspectives.
The flock Is The flock is flying south for the winter. Are The flock are scattering in the field.
The school Is The school is implementing new programs. Are The school are organizing different activities.
The company Is The company is launching a new product. Are The company are discussing their strategies.
The public Is The public is showing their support. Are The public are expressing different views.
The nation Is The nation is celebrating its independence. Are The nation are debating the future path.
The military Is The military is prepared for any situation. Are The military are conducting various exercises.
The congregation Is The congregation is listening to the sermon. Are The congregation are greeting each other after the service.
The organization Is The organization is planning its annual event. Are The organization are working on different projects.

Indefinite Pronouns Examples

Here are examples of sentences with indefinite pronouns. Note how certain pronouns (everyone, someone, nobody) always take singular verbs, while others (several, both, few) take plural verbs.

Some (some, any, none) can vary depending on the context. Understanding the nature of indefinite pronouns is essential for accurate subject-verb agreement.

Indefinite Pronoun Verb Sentence
Everyone Is Everyone is invited to the party.
Someone Knocks Someone knocks on the door.
Nobody Knows Nobody knows the answer.
Each Has Each student has a book.
Either Is Either option is acceptable.
Neither Is Neither choice is correct.
Several Are Several students are absent today.
Both Want Both candidates want to win.
Few Know Few people know the truth.
Many Believe Many believe in miracles.
Some (of the cake) Is Some of the cake is gone.
Some (of the students) Are Some of the students are late.
Any (of the juice) Is Any of the juice is fine with me.
Any (of the books) Are Any of the books are acceptable.
None (of the money) Is None of the money is left.
None (of the apples) Are None of the apples are ripe.
All (of the water) Is All of the water is gone.
All (of the tickets) Are All of the tickets are sold.
Most (of the work) Is Most of the work is done.
Most (of the people) Are Most of the people are happy.
Everything Looks Everything looks perfect.
Something Feels Something feels wrong.
Nothing Matters Nothing matters more than family.

Usage Rules

General Rules

The general rule for subject-verb agreement is straightforward: singular subjects take verbs with an ‘s’ in the present tense (except for ‘I’ and ‘you’), while plural subjects take verbs without an ‘s’. This rule applies to most simple sentences and forms the foundation for more complex grammatical structures.

Always identify the subject first to determine the correct verb form.

Exceptions

There are several exceptions to the general rule. The pronouns ‘I’ and ‘you’ always take verbs without an ‘s’, even though they can be singular.

Additionally, certain irregular verbs, such as ‘to be’ and ‘to have,’ have unique forms that must be memorized. Be aware of these exceptions to avoid common errors.

Special Cases

Special cases include sentences with inverted word order (e.g., “There is a book on the table”) and sentences with intervening phrases (e.g., “The book, along with its cover, is interesting”). In inverted sentences, the verb must agree with the subject that follows it.

In sentences with intervening phrases, the verb must agree with the main subject, ignoring the words in the phrase. Handling these special cases correctly requires careful attention to sentence structure.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is failing to identify the correct subject, especially in sentences with intervening phrases or compound subjects. For example:

  • Incorrect: The book, along with its pages, are interesting.
  • Correct: The book, along with its pages, is interesting.

Another common mistake is using a singular verb with a compound subject joined by ‘and’. For example:

  • Incorrect: John and Mary is going to the store.
  • Correct: John and Mary are going to the store.

Finally, confusing collective nouns and indefinite pronouns can lead to errors. Always double-check whether the noun or pronoun is acting as a single unit or as individual members to determine the correct verb form.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Basic Subject-Verb Agreement

Choose the correct form of the verb in the following sentences:

  1. The dog (barks/bark) loudly.
  2. They (plays/play) football on Sundays.
  3. She (reads/read) a book every night.
  4. We (goes/go) to the beach in the summer.
  5. He (watches/watch) TV after dinner.
  6. The cat (sleeps/sleep) all day.
  7. I (likes/like) to eat ice cream.
  8. You (has/have) a beautiful smile.
  9. It (rains/rain) a lot in April.
  10. The birds (sings/sing) in the morning.

Answers:

  1. barks
  2. play
  3. reads
  4. go
  5. watches
  6. sleeps
  7. like
  8. have
  9. rains
  10. sing

Exercise 2: Compound Subjects

Choose the correct form of the verb in the following sentences:

  1. John and Mary (is/are) going to the party.
  2. The cat and the dog (plays/play) together.
  3. Coffee or tea (is/are) a good choice.
  4. Neither the students nor the teacher (is/are) present.
  5. The books and the pens (belongs/belong) to her.
  6. Pizza or salad (is/are) a healthy option.
  7. The singer and the dancer (performs/perform) on stage.
  8. The apple and the orange (is/are) fresh.
  9. Neither the children nor their mother (is/are) home.
  10. The doctor and the nurse (works/work) in the hospital.

Answers:

  1. are
  2. play
  3. is
  4. is
  5. belong
  6. is
  7. perform
  8. are
  9. is
  10. work

Exercise 3: Collective Nouns and Indefinite Pronouns

Choose the correct form of the verb in the following sentences:

  1. The team (is/are) practicing hard.
  2. Everyone (is/are) invited to the event.
  3. The family (is/are) on vacation.
  4. Several students (is/are) absent today.
  5. The committee (meets/meet) every week.
  6. Nobody (knows/know) the answer.
  7. The group (is/are) ready to start.
  8. Both candidates (wants/want) to win.
  9. The jury (has/have) reached a verdict.
  10. Few people (knows/know) the truth.

Answers:

  1. is
  2. is
  3. is
  4. are
  5. meets
  6. knows
  7. is
  8. want
  9. has
  10. know

Advanced Topics

Intervening Phrases

Intervening phrases are phrases that come between the subject and the verb. These phrases can sometimes make it difficult to identify the correct subject and verb agreement.

A good rule of thumb is to ignore the intervening phrase and focus on the main subject of the sentence. This will help you determine whether the verb should be singular or plural.

For example, in the sentence “The box of chocolates is on the table,” the subject is “box,” not “chocolates.”

Examples:

  • The list of items is on the table.
  • The president, along with his advisors, is attending the conference.
  • The quality of the products has improved.

Inverted Sentences

Inverted sentences are sentences in which the subject comes after the verb. This can occur in questions or in sentences that begin with phrases like “there is” or “there are.” In these cases, it’s important to identify the subject correctly to ensure proper subject-verb agreement.

For example, in the sentence “There are many books on the shelf,” the subject is “books,” which is plural, so the verb should be “are.”

Examples:

  • There is a book on the shelf.
  • There are many books on the shelf.
  • Where is the key?
  • What are the reasons for this decision?

FAQ

  1. Q: Why is subject-verb agreement important?

    A: Subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear and correct communication. It ensures that your sentences are grammatically sound and easily understood by others. Without proper agreement, sentences can sound awkward or confusing, leading to miscommunication. Mastering this rule is essential for effective writing and speaking.

  2. Q: What if there is an intervening phrase between the subject and the verb?

    A: Ignore the intervening phrase and focus on the main subject to determine the correct verb form. The verb should agree with the subject, not the words in the intervening phrase. For example, “The box of chocolates is on the table” (the verb agrees with “box,” not “chocolates”).

  3. Q: How do I handle compound subjects joined by ‘and’?

    A: Compound subjects joined by ‘and’ typically take a plural verb. For example, “John and Mary are going to the store.” However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity, use a singular verb (e.g., “Mac and cheese is my favorite dish”).

  4. Q: What about compound subjects joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’?

    A: When subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor,’ the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, “Neither the students nor the teacher is present” (the verb agrees with “teacher”).

  5. Q: How do I use collective nouns correctly?

    A: Collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs, depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members. If the group acts as a single unit, use a singular verb (e.g., “The team is practicing hard”). If the members act individually, use a plural verb (e.g., “The team are arguing about the strategy”).

  6. Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid?

    A: Common mistakes include failing to identify the correct subject, using a singular verb with a compound subject joined by ‘and,’ and confusing collective nouns and indefinite pronouns. Always double-check your sentence structure and the nature of your subjects to avoid these errors.

  7. Q: How does subject-verb agreement apply to indefinite pronouns?

    A: Some indefinite pronouns are

    singular (e.g., everyone, someone, nobody), and some are plural (e.g., several, both, few). Others can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most). Always identify whether the indefinite pronoun is singular or plural to ensure correct subject-verb agreement.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of adding ‘s’ to verbs is a critical skill for anyone looking to improve their English grammar. By understanding the rules and exceptions of subject-verb agreement, you can write and speak with greater clarity and confidence.

Remember to identify the subject, determine whether it is singular or plural, and adjust the verb accordingly. Pay attention to compound subjects, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns, and be aware of common mistakes.

With practice and attention to detail, you can master this fundamental aspect of English grammar and enhance your communication skills.

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