Subject–Verb Agreement
Make the verb match the subject every time — including the tricky cases (each, everyone, words between subject and verb) that trip up even strong writers.
- 1.A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb: "The dog runs." / "The dogs run."
- 2.Ignore words BETWEEN the subject and verb: "The box of chocolates IS on the table." (box, not chocolates)
- 3.Each, every, everyone, someone, nobody are SINGULAR: "Everyone is here." "Each student has a book."
- 4.Two subjects joined by "and" are plural: "My brother and I are going."
The basic rule
The verb must agree with its subject in number:
"She writes well." (singular) — "They write well." (plural)
Trap 1: words between subject and verb
Phrases between the subject and verb do not change the agreement. Find the real subject:
✓ "The list of items is long." (the subject is list, not items) ✗ "The list of items are long."
Trap 2: indefinite pronouns are singular
Each, every, everyone, everybody, someone, anyone, nobody, neither take a singular verb:
✓ "Everyone has a ticket." ✗ "Everyone have a ticket." ✓ "Each of the answers is correct."
Trap 3: "and" vs. "with"
Two subjects joined by and are plural. But a phrase added with with / along with / as well as does not change the subject:
"My friend and I are late." (plural) "The manager, along with two staff, is attending." (subject is still manager)
CELPIP application
Agreement errors are easy for a rater to catch and they signal weaker control. When you proofread your Writing, check each verb against its true subject — especially after long phrases.
Check yourself
A quick self-check on this lesson — pick an answer, then see the explanation. Not graded.
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