Quick Notes

Quick Notes

English Chapter 4: Writing Skills
Subject-Verb Agreement
     
 

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

  
     
  Subject-Verb Agreement is when the subjects and verbs must agree with one another in number (singular or plural). Thus, if a subject is singular, its verb must also be singular and if a subject is plural, its verb must also be plural.  
     
     
     
 
1.1    SINGULAR VERB + SINGULAR SUBJECT
 
     
  We must use a singular verb for a singular subject.  
     
 

He, she and it:

i. are singular subjects.

ii. They are followed by singular verbs.

For example:

- He is a man.

- She is a mother.

- It is a pen.

- He has a computer.

  
     
 

REMEMBER THIS!

- The subject is a person or thing that does the action.

- The verb is the action word.

- If the subject is one then add 's' to the verb.

- If the subject is many (plural) then do not add 's' to the verb.

 

For example:

a. A crab walks sideways. (Singular)

- A crab (subject) 

- walks (verb)

 

b. Crabs walk sideways. (Plural)

- Crabs (subject)

- walk (verb)

 

Other examples:

a. A seahorse swims upright. (Singular)

- A seahorse (subject)

- swims (verb)

 

b. Seahorses swim upright. (Plural)

- Seahorses (subject)

- swim (verb)

  
     
     
     
 
1.2    PLURAL VERB + PLURAL SUBJECT
 
     
  We must use a plural verb for a plural subject.  
     
 

They and we:

i. They and we are followed by a plural verb.

For example:

- They are his students.

- We are boys.

  
     
     
     
 
1.3    SPECIAL CASE 
 
     
  We must always use plural verb for the subject 'I' and 'you'.  
     
 

Am:

i. is only used with I.

ii. I is followed by a plural verb.

For example:

- I am Shameema.

- I have a book.

  
     
 

You

i. 'You' is use to speak to one or many people.

For example:

- You have five dresses.

- You (many people) are girls.