Verbis a word that describes the action or actions performed by the subject.If the verb in the singular (singular), the subject must also be in the singular; when the verb in the plural (plural) then the verb must also be in the plural. If the subject of the first, second, or third, adapted verb forms. Between subject and verb is called agreement.
The definition of the subject is singular subject pronoun he, she, and it, or nouns that can be replaced by he, she or it: While the definition of singular verbs are verb1 + es / s, is / was, and the verb phrase such as: is / + was verb-ing/verb3, has verb3 +, has been verb-ing and has been verb3.
Basic rules of the Subject-Verb Agreement:
1. Each, every, much always followed by a single verb
Example: Each student has got the workbook.
2. Uncountable noun (time, money, distance, etc.) are always followed by a single verb
Example: Three minutes is all I need to fix the computer.
3. "The" + adjective is always followed by a plural verb
Example: The young need guidance from the old.
4. Public, police, people, cattle, Clergy are always followed by plural verbs.
Example: The police ask everybody to obey the rules.
5. If two subjects connected by and, then followed by plural verbs.
Example: Steve and Noel are siblings.
1. Singular subject + (prepositional phrase) + singular verb
Singular subject | Singular verb | Tenses | |
1 | He/She/it | verb1 + es/s | simple present |
2 | He/She/it | is + verb-ing | present continuous |
3 | He/She/it | was + verb-ing | past continuous |
2. Plural subject + (prepositional phrase) + plural verb
Plural subject | Plural verb | Tenses | |
1 | I/we/you/they | verb1 | simple present |
2 | I/we/you/they | am/are + verb-ing | present continuous |
3 | I/we/you/they | was/were + verb-ing | past continuous |
Correlative conjunction Using a single verb Using Plural verb: both … and … No Yes not only … but also … Yes, if after a single noun but also, for example: Not only my sisters, but also my brother is happy for my graduation. Yes, if after the noun plural but also, for example: Not only my brother, but also my sisters either … or … Yes, if after a noun or a single, for example: Either the students or the teacher has initiated this competition. Yes, if once or plural nouns, for example: Either the teacher or the students neither … nor … have initiated this competition. Yes, if after nor a single noun, eg: Neither my parents nor my sister
10 Example :
SINGLE VERB PLURAL VERB: She lives in Bali They are going to market He is nice to me we are dancing yesterday She has danced We are going to dance Hari is dancing on the floor They are nice to me He goes to zoo tomorow They were nice to me
Correlative conjunction | Using a single verb | Using Plural verb: |
both … and … | No | Yes |
not only … but also … | Yes, if after a single noun but also, for example: Not only my sisters, but also my brother | is happy for my graduation. Yes, if after the noun plural but also, for example: Not only my brother, but also my sisters |
either … or … | Yes, if after a noun or a single, for example: Either the students or the teacher | has initiated this competition. Yes, if once or plural nouns, for example: Either the teacher or the students |
neither … nor … | have initiated this competition. | Yes, if after nor a single noun, eg: Neither my parents nor my sister |
10 Example :
SINGLE VERB | PLURAL VERB: |
She lives in Bali | They are going to market |
He is nice to me | we are dancing yesterday |
She has danced | We are going to dance |
Hari is dancing on the floor | They are nice to me |
He goes to zoo tomorow | They were nice to me |