Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement with ‘S’ Ending Verbs

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

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.