Grammar Rules

Subject-Verb Agreement

Learn the rules for matching subjects and verbs correctly in all sentence types.

Subject-Verb Agreement on Grammartier spans A1–B1 levels, with 5 interactive lessons including Basic Subject-Verb Agreement, Collective Nouns Agreement and Indefinite Pronouns Agreement — each with clear explanations, real examples, and a quiz you can score instantly.

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Lessons available

A1 → C2

CEFR coverage

Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match its subject in number — singular subjects take a singular verb, plural subjects take a plural verb. Most of the time this is automatic, but collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and either/or constructions trip up even confident learners. This page covers every real-world case, from the basic rule to the tricky exceptions.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Apply the basic rule: singular subject + verb-s, plural subject + verb (no -s)
Decide whether collective nouns like team or family take a singular or plural verb
Use singular indefinite pronouns (everyone, nobody, each) correctly — they are always singular
Apply the proximity rule for either/or and neither/nor subjects

Structure & Form

Positive

Singular subject + base verb + -s/-es / Plural subject + base verb (no -s)

Negative

Singular subject + doesn't + base verb / Plural subject + don't + base verb

Question

Does + singular subject + base verb? / Do + plural subject + base verb?

How It's Used

Regular Nouns — Singular or Plural

The basic rule: a singular subject takes a verb with -s, a plural subject takes a verb without -s.

— She runs fast.
— They run fast.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (team, family, government) take a singular verb when acting as one unit, and a plural verb when members act as individuals — especially in British English. American English usually prefers the singular either way.

— The team is winning. (as one unit)
— The team are arguing among themselves. (as individuals)

Indefinite Pronouns

Everyone, nobody, each, either, someone, and anyone are always singular, even though they can feel plural in meaning.

— Everyone is here.
— Nobody knows.
— Each student studies hard.

Either...Or / Neither...Nor

With either/or and neither/nor, the verb agrees with the noun closer to it — not the first noun.

— Either you or I am right.
— Either the teacher or the students are coming.
— Neither the boys nor the girl likes chocolate.

Exceptions to Watch For

There is / There are

Use there is for a singular subject and there are for a plural subject: There is a book on the table. There are books on the table.

Subjects joined by and vs or

Subjects joined by and take a plural verb: Tom and Jerry are friends. Subjects joined by or take a verb that matches the closer noun: Tom or Jerry is coming.

Common Mistakes

The team are winning by ten points.

The team is winning by ten points.

When a collective noun acts as one unit, use a singular verb. Use a plural verb only when you mean the individual members acting separately.

Everyone are here.

Everyone is here.

Indefinite pronouns like everyone, nobody, and each are always singular, no matter how plural they feel in meaning.

Neither the dog nor the cats is barking.

Neither the dog nor the cats are barking.

With neither...nor, the verb agrees with the noun closer to it. Cats (plural) is closer to the verb, so it must be are, not is.

There is a book and a pen on the table.

There are a book and a pen on the table.

With a compound subject joined by and, use there are — the combined subject is plural even though the first noun (book) is singular.

Subject-Verb Agreement by Subject Type

Six common subject types and how the verb agrees with each one.

Feature	Subject type	Verb agreement
Regular singular	Singular verb (+ -s/-es)	She runs fast.
Regular plural	Plural verb (no -s)	They run fast.
Collective noun (as one unit)	Singular verb	The team is winning.
Collective noun (as individuals)	Plural verb	The team are arguing among themselves.
Indefinite pronoun	Singular verb (always)	Everyone is here.
Either/or, neither/nor	Matches the closer noun	Neither the dog nor the cats are barking.

Summary

The verb must agree in number with its subject: singular subjects take a singular verb, plural subjects take a plural verb. Collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on whether the group acts as one unit or as individuals. Indefinite pronouns (everyone, nobody, each) are always singular. With either/or and neither/nor, the verb agrees with the noun closer to it.

Further reading: Cambridge Dictionary — Subject-verb agreement, Purdue OWL — Subject-Verb Agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is subject-verb agreement?

It's the rule that a verb must match its subject in number — singular subjects take a singular verb form, plural subjects take a plural verb form. The cat eats fish (singular), The cats eat fish (plural).

Is 'the team' singular or plural?

It depends on meaning. Use a singular verb when the team acts as one unit (The team is winning), and a plural verb (mainly in British English) when members act as individuals (The team are arguing among themselves).

Are indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' singular or plural?

Always singular, even though they can refer to many people. Everyone is here, not Everyone are here. The same applies to nobody, each, someone, and anyone.

How does agreement work with either/or and neither/nor?

The verb agrees with the noun closest to it, not the first noun. Either the teacher or the students are coming (students is closer, so plural). Either you or I am right (I is closer, so am).

Do subjects joined by 'and' always take a plural verb?

Yes — subjects joined by and are treated as plural: Tom and Jerry are friends. Subjects joined by or take a verb matching the closer noun: Tom or Jerry is coming.

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