What is subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement means the verb in a sentence must match the subject. If the subject is one person or thing, the verb is singular. If the subject is more than one, the verb is plural.
- The dog runs.
- The dogs run.
- She likes apples.
- They like apples.
Always look at who or what is doing the action before choosing the verb.
Singular subjects and verbs
A singular subject names one person, place, animal, or thing. Singular subjects usually need a verb that ends in -s.
- The cat jumps.
- My mom works at home.
- He plays outside.
Even though the verb ends in -s, it is still showing just one subject.
Plural subjects and verbs
A plural subject names more than one person, place, animal, or thing. Plural subjects usually use a verb without -s.
- The cats jump.
- My friends walk to school.
- They play together.
If the subject means more than one, do not add -s to the verb.
Special verbs: am, is, and are
The verbs am, is, and are are used to tell about being. Each one is used with different subjects.
- I am happy.
- She is my teacher.
- They are ready.
Read the sentence aloud. Choose the verb that sounds right with the subject.
Choosing the correct verb
To choose the correct verb, first find the subject. Then decide if the subject is singular or plural.
- The bird sings in the tree.
- The birds sing in the tree.
- My brother runs fast.
If you are not sure, try both verbs and see which one sounds correct.