Subject-verb agreement (also called concord) means the verb must match its subject in number: singular subject → singular verb; plural subject → plural verb. It matters most in the present simple (she works / they work) and with be (is/are, was/were) and have (has/have).
Rule 1: Find the real subject — ignore the words in between
Phrases like of the…, with…, along with…, as well as…, together with… don't change the subject.
- The box of chocolates is on the table. (✗ are)
- The quality of these products has improved.
- The manager, along with her team, is attending the meeting.
- Rahul, as well as his brothers, plays cricket.
Rule 2: Subjects joined by "and" are plural
- Priya and Sam are friends.
- My laptop and my phone need charging.
Exception: when the two nouns are one thing or one person, use a singular verb: Bread and butter is my usual breakfast. / The secretary and treasurer is absent (one person with two roles — notice only one "the").
Rule 3: or, either…or, neither…nor — the nearer subject wins
- Either Ali or Sara is coming. (both singular)
- Neither the teacher nor the students were ready. (nearer = students → plural)
- Neither the students nor the teacher was ready. (nearer = teacher → singular)
Tip: put the plural subject second — it sounds more natural. On their own, either and neither are singular: Neither of the answers is correct (formal; "are" is common in speech).
Rule 4: each, every, everyone, nobody, something… are singular
- Each student has a locker.
- Every child needs love.
- Everyone is welcome. · Nobody knows the answer. · Something smells good.
- Each of the players has a number. (✗ have)
But both, few, many, several are plural: Both of them are right. Many were absent.
Indefinite amounts — all, some, most, none, half, a lot of — follow the noun after of: Some of the water is dirty (uncountable) vs. Some of the bottles are empty (plural).
Rule 5: Collective nouns (team, family, government)
Collective nouns name a group: team, family, class, staff, committee, audience, government, company, police.
- American English usually treats them as singular: The team is winning.
- British English often uses plural when thinking of the members: The team are celebrating.
- When members act separately, plural is natural in both: The family are arguing about where to go.
- Always plural: police, people, cattle — The police are investigating. (✗ The police is)
For exams in India and most school syllabuses, use the singular for a group acting as one unit and plural for members acting individually.
Rule 6: there is / there are — look after the verb
After there or here, the real subject comes after the verb.
- There is a problem. · There are two problems.
- Here are your keys. (✗ Here is your keys)
- There is a pen and two books on the desk. (formal agreement with the first noun; "there's" is common in speech)
Rule 7: Amounts of time, money, distance and weight are singular
- Ten years is a long time.
- Five hundred rupees is too much for a sandwich.
- Twenty kilometres is a long way to walk.
We think of the amount as one total. Fractions and percentages follow the noun: Half of the cake is gone. / 40% of the students are from abroad. And the number of is singular while a number of is plural: The number of applicants is rising. / A number of applicants are waiting.
Rule 8: "one of the + plural noun" takes a singular verb
- One of my friends lives in Canada. (✗ live)
- One of the reasons is cost.
But with one of those who…, the verb after who is plural, because who refers to "those": She is one of those people who work late.
Rule 9: Uncountable nouns are singular
information, advice, news, furniture, luggage, equipment, money, homework, traffic:
- The news is good. (✗ The news are)
- Your advice was very helpful.
- My luggage has been lost.
Rule 10: Nouns that end in -s but are singular
Subjects and fields (mathematics, physics, economics), some diseases (measles) and news take a singular verb: Mathematics is my favourite subject. Book, film and country titles too: "Great Expectations" is a novel. The Netherlands is in Europe.
Rule 11: Paired items are plural
trousers, jeans, glasses, scissors, shorts: My jeans are too tight. Your glasses are on the table. With a pair of, the verb is singular: A pair of scissors is in the drawer.
Rule 12: Relative clauses agree with the noun before "who/which/that"
- The man who lives next door is a doctor.
- The books that are on the shelf belong to me.
Quick reference
| Always singular verb | Always plural verb | Depends |
|---|---|---|
| each, every, everyone, nobody, somebody, either, neither (alone), one of…, the number of, amounts (ten years), news, mathematics, uncountables | both, few, many, several, police, people, cattle, a number of, trousers/jeans/glasses | all, some, most, none, half, percentages (→ noun after "of"); or / nor (→ nearer subject); collective nouns (→ unit or members) |
Practice
Choose the correct verb.
- The list of names (is / are) on the noticeboard.
- Neither my parents nor my sister (know / knows) about it.
- Each of the rooms (has / have) a balcony.
- The police (has / have) arrested the suspect.
- There (is / are) many reasons to learn English.
- One of my teachers (come / comes) from Kerala.
- Physics (is / are) a difficult subject.
- Fifty dollars (is / are) a fair price.
- The furniture in these rooms (look / looks) new.
- Most of the students (has / have) passed.
Show answers
- is (subject = list)
- knows (nearer subject = sister)
- has (each)
- have (police is always plural)
- are (many reasons)
- comes (one of…)
- is (subject name)
- is (amount of money)
- looks (furniture is uncountable)
- have (most of + plural noun)
Agreement errors are among the most common learner mistakes — see more in common English mistakes. Review singular -s verbs in the present simple guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is subject-verb agreement?
It is the rule that a verb must match its subject in number: a singular subject takes a singular verb (“She runs”) and a plural subject takes a plural verb (“They run”).
Is “everyone” singular or plural?
“Everyone” is singular and takes a singular verb: “Everyone is here.” The same applies to everybody, someone, nobody and each.
Do we say “neither of them is” or “neither of them are”?
“Neither of them is” is the formal, exam-safe choice because “neither” is singular. “Neither of them are” is common in informal speech.
Is “the team” singular or plural?
Both are possible. American English usually treats team as singular (“The team is”); British English often uses plural when focusing on the members (“The team are”). Choose one and be consistent.
Which verb do I use with either…or and neither…nor?
Make the verb agree with the subject closest to it: “Neither the manager nor the employees were informed,” but “Neither the employees nor the manager was informed.”