Identify and correct errors with subject-verb agreement

Key Notes:

1️⃣ What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

The subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number.

  • Singular subject → singular verb
  • Plural subject → plural verb

Examples:

  • ✅ She runs every morning. (Singular)
  • ✅ They run every morning. (Plural)

2️⃣ Common Rules

Rule 1: Singular and Plural Subjects

  • Singular: He, She, It → verb adds -s/-es in present tense
  • Plural: We, They → verb does not add -s/-es

Examples:

  • ✅ The cat plays with the ball. 🐱⚽
  • ✅ The cats play with the ball. 🐱🐱⚽

Rule 2: Subjects joined by “and”

  • Usually plural → use plural verb
  • ✅ Raju and Priya are friends. 👦👧

Rule 3: Subjects joined by “or / nor”

  • Verb agrees with nearest subject
  • ✅ Either the teacher or the students are coming. 👩‍🏫👨‍🎓
  • ✅ Either the students or the teacher is coming. 👨‍🎓👩‍🏫

Rule 4: Indefinite Pronouns

  • Singular: everyone, each, someone → singular verb
  • Plural: few, many, several → plural verb

Examples:

  • ✅ Everyone is excited. 😃
  • ✅ Many students are ready. 🎒

Rule 5: Collective Nouns

  • Treated as singular if acting as one unit
  • Treated as plural if acting individually

Examples:

  • ✅ The team wins the match. 🏆 (as a unit)
  • ✅ The team are arguing among themselves. ⚡ (individual members)

Rule 6: Titles, Names, and Amounts

  • Usually singular
  • ✅ “Harry Potter” is my favorite book. 📚
  • ✅ Five rupees is enough. 💰

3️⃣ Common Errors & Corrections

❌ Incorrect✅ CorrectExplanation
The dogs runs fast.The dogs run fast.Plural subject → plural verb
Each of the boys are happy.Each of the boys is happy.Singular indefinite pronoun → singular verb
Either the teacher or the students is late.Either the teacher or the students are late.Verb agrees with nearest subject

4️⃣ Quick Tips to Avoid Mistakes

  • 🔹 Find the subject first, ignore extra words
  • 🔹 Look out for and/or/nor in the sentence
  • 🔹 Be careful with collective nouns & indefinite pronouns
  • 🔹 Always ask: “Who is doing the action?”

5️⃣ Fun Reminder 🎨

Singular + s / Plural – no s → Keep this rule in mind like a rainbow 🌈 to make your sentences bright and correct!

let’s practice!🖊️