SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

Singular subject

Verb usually takes -s / -es (e.g., He plays, She goes).

Plural subject

Uses the base form of the verb (e.g., They play, We go).

Collective noun

Refers to a group treated as a single unit, taking a singular verb (e.g., The team meets).

Rule #1 – AND

When two subjects are joined by 'and', the subject is plural and takes a plural verb.

Rule #2 – OR

When two subjects are joined by 'or', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Rule #3 – Indefinite pronouns

Words like 'everyone', 'somebody', and 'nobody' are grammatically singular.

Rule #4 – Either…or / Neither…nor

The verb agrees with the subject closest to it when using these constructions.

Rule #5 – Collective nouns

Collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group acts as one unit.

Present tense verb with singular subject

Takes -s or -es (e.g., he runs, she loves).

Present tense verb with plural subject

Uses the base form of the verb (e.g., they run, we love).