SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

In the present tense:

• Singular subject - verb usually takes -s / -es

  • He plays

  • She goes

  • The cat runs

• Plural subject - use the base form of the verb

  • They play

  • We go

  • The cats run

So, although -s looks like a plural ending on nouns, on present-tense verbs, -s usually indicates a singular third-person subject.

1. The boy plays football every evening.

• Answer: plays
  
  

  • Subject = the boy (singular)

  • Therefore, plays is correct.

2. Sara and her sister are studying together.

• Answer: are
  
  

  • Subject = Sara and her sister (plural)

  • Therefore, use are.

3. Everyone enjoys the school celebration.

• Answer: enjoys
  
  

  • Subject = everyone (singular)

  • Therefore, it takes a singular verb.

4. The teacher or the principal is speaking to the parents.

• Answer: is
  
  

  • Connected by or, use a singular verb.

5. Neither the students nor the teacher was ready.

• Answer: was
  
  

  • Verb agrees with the subject closest to it: the teacher (singular).

6. The family lives in Abu Dhabi.

• Answer: lives
  
  

  • Subject = family (collective noun, singular).

7. My brother and I go to school by bus.

• Answer: go
  
  

  • Subject = my brother and I (plural).

8. The cat and the dog sleep in the garden.

• Answer: sleep
  
  

  • Subject = the cat and the dog (plural).

9. Someone has left a notebook on the table.

• Answer: has
  
  

  • Subject = someone (singular).

10. Either Ahmed or Ali has the key.

• Answer: has
  
  

  • Both subjects are singular.

11. Neither the teacher nor the students are absent today.

• Answer: are
  
  

  • Closest subject is students (plural).

12. The committee meets every Monday.

• Answer: meets
  
  

  • Subject = committee (collective noun, singular).

13. A pen or a pencil is needed for the activity.

• Answer: is
  
  

  • Subjects linked by or, singular verb.

14. The girls sing beautifully.

• Answer: sing
  
  

  • Subject = the girls (plural).

15. Nobody knows the answer.

• Answer: knows
  
  

  • Subject = nobody (singular).

16. The coach and the players work very hard.

• Answer: work
  
  

  • Subject = the coach and the players (plural).

17. Either the students or the teacher is responsible for the project.

• Answer: is
  
  

  • Closest subject is teacher (singular).

18. The team practises every afternoon.

• Answer: practises
  
  

  • Subject = team (collective noun, singular).

19. The books or the notebook is on the desk.

• Answer: is
  
  

  • Subject closest to the verb: the notebook (singular).

20. My mother and father work in the same school.

• Answer: work
  
  

  • Subject = my mother and father (plural).