Subject-verb agreement


In this topic, you will learn the correct way to match the singular or plural subject with the verbs.

2.1

Singular Subjects

	A singular subject takes a singular verb.
	`Singular subject + Singular verb`

Examples:

The soldier termite	has	the largest head.
Singular subject	Singular verb

Maya	buys	a magazine.
Singular subject	Singular verb

The book	is	on the table.
Singular subject	Singular verb

Note: There is an addition of '-s' at the end of the verb if the subject is in the singular form. (Eg: eats, drinks, runs, reads)

2.2

Plural Subjects

	A plural subject takes a plural verb.
	`Plural subject + Plural verb`

Examples:

They	meet	every weekend.
Plural subject	Plural verb

There	are	three types	of mangoes there.
	Plural verb	Plural subject

They	are	at the field the whole day.
Plural subject	Plural verb

Note: No '-s' is added at the end of the verb if the subject is in the plural form. (Eg: eat, drink, run, read)

2.3

Linking Verbs

	Linking verbs
	Verbs that link the subject to the complement in a sentence.

Example:

They were at the netball court the whole day.
Subject	They
Linking verb	were
Complement	at the netball court the whole day.

Three types of linking verbs

(a)	'be' verb
(b)	'has' and 'have'
(c)	action verbs (Eg: take)

The tables below show you the simple present and simple past forms of linking verbs for singular and plural subjects.

SUBJECT	It/ He/ She Maria (Singular)
BE	is/was
HAS	has/had
DO	does/did
VERB	takes/took

SUBJECT	We/ They Maria and Malisa (Plural)
BE	are/were
HAS	have/had
DO	do/did
VERB	take/took

SUBJECT	I
BE	am/was
HAS	have/had
DO	do/did
VERB	take/took

SUBJECT	You
BE	are/were
HAS	have/had
DO	do/did
VERB	take/took