Subject-Verb Agreement

Definition:
Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the verb must agree in number
(singular or plural) with its subject. This means that a singular subject requires a singular verb,
and a plural subject requires a plural verb.

Basic Rules:

Singular Subjects: A singular subject takes a singular verb.

Example: She (singular subject) runs (singular verb) every morning.
Plural Subjects: A plural subject takes a plural verb.
Example: They (plural subject) run (plural verb) every morning.
Special Cases:

Compound Subjects: When two subjects are joined by 'and,' they typically take a plural verb.

Example: The cat and the dog (compound subject) are (plural verb) friends.
However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity, use a singular verb.
Example: Peanut butter and jelly (single entity) is (singular verb) my favorite sandwich.
Subjects Joined by 'Or' or 'Nor': The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Example: Neither the teacher nor the students (plural subject) have (plural verb) finished the test.
Example: Either the students or the teacher (singular subject) has (singular verb) to clean the
classroom.
Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns are singular, some are plural, and some can be
both depending on the context.

Singular: Everyone, someone, each, nobody, anybody, etc.

Example: Everyone (singular) loves (singular verb) the new movie.
Plural: Few, many, several, both.
Example: Both (plural) are (plural verb) going to the concert.
Singular or Plural: All, some, none, most, etc., depending on the noun they refer to.
Example: All of the cake (singular) is (singular verb) gone.
Example: All of the cookies (plural) are (plural verb) gone.
Collective Nouns: These nouns may take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the
group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.

Example: The team (acting as one unit) wins (singular verb) the game.
Example: The team (acting individually) are (plural verb) arguing among themselves.
Tricky Subjects:

Subjects with phrases like "along with," "as well as," and "in addition to" do not affect the
number of the subject.
Example: The teacher, along with her students, is (singular verb) attending the conference.
Common Errors:

Incorrect: The list of items are on the desk.

Correct: The list of items is on the desk.
Incorrect: Each of the players have a different number.
Correct: Each of the players has a different number.