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Subject-Verb Agreement Introduction

Think you know your stuff? CLICK HERE to quiz yourself.


Feeling like grammar is never straightforward? Subject-verb agreement is here to cut you some slack. (Enjoy the sweet simplicity while it lasts.)

Here's the hard and fast rule:

Subjects must agree with their verbs in number.

Simple, right? Singular nouns take singular verbs. Plural nouns take plural verbs.

Period.

Now, just like any other grammar concern, subject-verb agreement isn't without its tips, tricks, and caveats. And so, it is with great fanfare that we present what we're calling Special Topics in Subject-Verb Agreement, starring (drumroll, please):

  • The "One –S" Rule
  • Compound subjects that use and
  • Compound subjects that use or/nor
  • I and You
  • Measurements
  • Here and There
  • None

Grab your popcorn, Shmooper, and sit back, relax (okay, don't relax too much), and learn more about subject-verb agreement.

Quiz Yourself on Subject-Verb Agreement

1/5

Can you spot the grammatical error in this sentence?


When Lola takes the stage, everyone in the cabana marvel at her costume, which includes 57 embroidered peacocks with real feathers.


(A) stage,
(B) marvel
(C) costume,
(D) 57

Can you spot the error in this sentence?


The group of tourists to Yellowstone National Park were getting out of the bus to take pictures of Old Faithful when a new geyser erupted, sending rocks flying everywhere and wounding several.


(A) were
(B) Old Faithful
(C) erupted
(D) several

Fill in the blank:


Everly and Max, who is a friend of her cousin's, ________ decided to meet for coffee to discuss their mutual love of pirate-themed parties and plan one for next Groundhog Day.


(A) has
(B) have
(C) done
(D) Both A and B

Fill in the blank:


You might be surprised to learn that macaroni and cheese ___________ invented by that versatile statesman and Renaissance man Thomas Jefferson.


(A) were
(B) was
(C) had been
(D) Both A and B

You just turned in the first draft of your creative writing assignment. Your teacher says he has a problem with this sentence: "The couple often sleep in different rooms since the woman snores louder than a hibernating bear." He believes your verb should be in its singular form, sleeps. How do you respond?

(A) You are totally right, sir. I don't know how I missed that subject-verb disagreement in my thorough editing process.
(B) Actually, collective nouns are usually treated as plural, so I don't see the problem here.
(C) Just as it takes two to tango, it takes two to make a couple. Therefore, the verb should be plural.
(D) Did you not happen to notice that they are acting individually? That's why I made it plural.

Here are your results. Want to give it another go?
Click TRY AGAIN for a new quiz. Or click NEXT to get to studying.

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