Subject-Verb Agreement: Rules and Examples
Have you ever written a sentence like “The players is playing well” and wondered why it sounds odd? Many Indian learners struggle with subject-verb agreement because the rules differ slightly from Hindi and other regional languages. Mastering this ensures your sentences sound natural and professional, whether in emails, interviews, or IELTS writing.
A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.
Basic Agreement: Singular vs. Plural Subjects
When the subject is singular (one person, thing, or idea), the verb must also be singular. For plural subjects (more than one), use a plural verb.
✅ Singular: Neha has long hair.
✅ Singular: He plays football for his club.
✅ Singular: She works for a multinational company.
✅ Plural: We are going on a trip to Malaysia.
✅ Plural: People have gathered to discuss the problems in their town.
✅ Plural: They play football on weekends.
Subjects Joined by ‘and’
When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are joined by ’and’, they form a plural subject and require a plural verb.
When two nouns joined by and refer to the same person or form a single idea or unit, use a singular verb.
✅ Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.
✅ Law and order is the government’s responsibility.
✅ Ravi and Anil are playing chess.
✅ Knowledge and wisdom have no connection.
✅ Sheila and Hari work in the same office.
Subjects Joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’
When two or more singular subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the verb remains singular.
✅ Our happiness or our sorrow is largely because of our own actions.
✅ Ravi or Anil is coming.
✅ Our failure or success depends on our efforts.
✅ No nook or corner was left unexplored.
✅ The Principal or the HOD inaugurates the science exhibition every year.
Either … or / Neither … nor
In sentences using either … or or neither … nor, the verb agrees with the subject closer to it.
✅ Either a man or two women are required for that job. (two women are closer)
✅ Either two women or one man is required for that job. (one man is closer)
✅ Either Ravi or his parents have to see me. (parents are closer)
✅ Either Ravi’s parents or his sister has to see me. (sister is closer)
✅ Neither you nor I am responsible for that error. (I am closer)
✅ Neither I nor you are responsible for that error. (you are closer)
Subjects with ‘with’, ‘as well as’, or ‘along with’
When a subject is followed by phrases like with, as well as, or along with, the verb agrees with the main subject (the one before these phrases). These phrases do not change the number of the subject.
✅ German, as well as French, is taught here. (German is singular)
✅ The king, with the queen and the rest of the royal family, was present. (king is singular)
✅ Karina, as well as Priyanka, is beautiful. (Karina is singular)
✅ The ministers, with the Prime Minister, are discussing the issue. (ministers are plural)
✅ The players, with their coach, are staying in this hotel. (players are plural)
Ignore words like with, as well as, along with, together with when deciding the verb. Focus only on the main subject.
Sentences Beginning with ‘There’ or ‘Here’
There and here are never the subjects of a sentence. The real subject comes later, and the verb must agree with it.
✅ There were five books on the shelf. (books are plural)
✅ There was one pen in the box. (pen is singular)
✅ Here is the report you wanted. (report is singular)
Common Mistakes
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
| The players is playing well. | The players are playing well. |
| Either Ravi or his friends is coming. | Either Ravi or his friends are coming. |
| She, as well as her brothers, have arrived. | She, as well as her brothers, has arrived. |
| There is many books on the table. | There are many books on the table. |
| Neither the teacher nor the students was present. | Neither the teacher nor the students were present. |
✏️ Quick Practice — Fill in the blanks
- Ravi and his brother ________ (be) going to the market.
- Either the cat or the dogs ________ (be) responsible for the mess.
- There ________ (be) a lot of traffic on the roads today.
- Neither the manager nor the employees ________ (be) aware of the new policy.
- She, along with her friends, ________ (be) planning a surprise party.
Answers: 1. are | 2. are | 3. is | 4. are | 5. is
Summary
Subject-verb agreement ensures clarity and correctness in your sentences. Remember: match the verb to the main subject, not the words around it. With practice, this will become second nature, and your English will sound more polished and professional.