Mastering subject-verb agreement: how to ensure the subject and verb match in number

You know that moment when a sentence sounds a little off, even though you can’t put your finger on why? More often than not, the culprit is subject-verb agreement. It’s the tiny rule that keeps sentences clear and smooth, like good punctuation’s under-the-hood engine. If you’ve ever wrestled with English grammar, you’ve probably asked, “What exactly does subject-verb agreement mean?” Let’s break it down in plain terms, with a few real-world examples and handy tips you can carry into everyday writing (and yes, into the Accuplacer-style questions you’ll encounter in English sections).

What exactly is subject-verb agreement?

Here’s the thing: the subject and the verb in a sentence must match in number. In other words, singular subjects go with singular verbs, and plural subjects go with plural verbs. That’s the core rule.

• Singular subject, singular verb: The cat sits by the window.

• Plural subject, plural verb: The cats sit by the window.

Simple, right? The challenge shows up when there are extra layers—long phrases between the subject and the verb, or words that look like they should determine the verb but don’t. Take this example:

• The dog barks. (subject: dog, verb: barks — both singular)

• The dogs bark. (subject: dogs, verb: bark — both plural)

Why this matters is practical: when subject and verb don’t agree, readers pause, reread, or stumble over who’s doing what. That little stumble can quietly erode trust in your writing, even if everything else is technically correct.

A quick example that often trips students up

Let me lay out the multiple-choice question you might see in an test-like setting:

What does “subject-verb agreement” refer to?

A. The subject and verb must agree in mood

B. The subject and verb must match in number

C. The subject must always precede the verb

D. The subject and verb must be separated by a comma

Correct answer: B. The subject and verb must match in number.

Why B? Because “number” is the grammatical term for singular or plural. Mood isn’t the issue here (it’s mood in verbs like imperative forms), the word order isn’t the core problem, and a comma doesn’t separate subject and verb in normal sentences. The point is simple, but it carries a lot of weight in clear communication.

Let’s connect the dots with some everyday examples

• The broom and the mop are in the closet. Here, two things joined by “and” make a plural subject, so the verb is are, not is.

• The bouquet of roses smells wonderful. The subject is the bouquet, which is singular, even though “roses” is plural. The verb stays singular: smells.

This is the nuance that trips people up—the key is identifying the main subject, not the noun phrase that follows it. That “of roses” portion doesn’t decide the verb’s form; the head noun does.

Common pitfalls (and how to sidestep them)

• Indefinite pronouns can be tricky

• Everyone, everybody, each, either, neither, anybody, nobody tend to take singular verbs: Everyone loves a good sentence, Each of the players is ready.

• Several, few, many take plural verbs: Several cookies are missing, Many students enjoy reading.

• The phrase in the middle doesn’t change the agreement

• The bundle of keys on the table is mine. (subject: bundle, singular)

• The group of musicians in the park were playing beautifully. Here, the group could be treated as plural for emphasis in some varieties of English, but in formal American usage, the default is singular: The group of musicians was playing. The nuance is subtle; consistency matters.

• There is/There are: match the number of the actual subject

• There is a problem with the signal. (singular subject)

• There are many reasons to celebrate. (plural subject)

• Collective nouns: it depends on the variety of English and the emphasis

• In American English, treat teams, committees, and crowds as singular: The team wins the championship.

• In some British styles, you’ll see: The team win the championship. The difference isn’t random; it reflects a shift in focus from the unit as a single entity to the members within it.

• None can be singular or plural depending on what it refers to

• None of the cookies is/are left. If you mean “not any,” many prefer is; if you mean “not any of the cookies,” they might use are. The context guides the choice.

• The number of vs. a number of

• The number of students is increasing. The subject here is “the number,” which is singular, so the verb is is.

• A number of students have been invited. Here the subject is “a number of students,” which acts plural, so the verb is have.

Tips to sharpen your sense for agreement (without turning it into a chore)

• Start with the subject, not the intervening words

• When you read a sentence, first ask: who or what is performing the action? Then pick the verb that matches that subject’s number.

• Don’t be fooled by proximity

• If the subject is “the bouquet,” and the sentence reads “the bouquet of roses smells,” do not let “roses” mislead you into thinking the verb should be “smell.”

• Keep a mental short list of quick checks

• Is the subject singular or plural? Is the verb in the same form as the subject?

• If there’s “and,” expect a plural verb unless the connected items form a single unit.

• When in doubt, rewrite for clarity

• If a sentence feels heavy or awkward, try rewriting the core subject-verb pair in a simpler form. If the simple form doesn’t feel right, your original likely isn’t right either.

• Use reliable references

• When you’re unsure, a trusted grammar guide or a reputable style resource (like Purdue OWL or Merriam-Webster’s guides) can offer quick checks. It’s not cheating to confirm; it’s smart language practice.

Bringing it home with mix-and-match practice prompts

Here are a few bite-sized checks you can reflect on. Try to decide whether the sentence should use a singular or plural verb, then read the reasoning.

• The list of items is/are on the desk. Why? The head noun is “list,” which is singular, so is.

• The committee chair, along with the members, was/were present. The main subject is “committee chair” (singular), so was.

• Each of the cars in the lot needs/need a wash. With “each” as the subject driver, the verb is needs (singular).

• None of the people speaks/speak fluent French. If you mean not any people, use speaks; if you mean the people collectively, you could opt for speak, depending on emphasis. Context rules here.

How this all fits into the bigger picture of clear writing

Subject-verb agreement is not a flashy rule. It’s the backbone of readable sentences. When you get it right, your writing breathes. It’s why “The students in the class are excited” reads as smoothly as “The cat naps” when you want a crisp, confident tone. It’s a small sauce on top of grammar that makes meaning easy to grasp.

If you’re someone who loves to annotate texts or reads aloud as a quick check, you’re already on the right track. Reading aloud forces you to notice rhythm and where things stumble. A lot of times, a mis-matched verb sticks out when you hear the sentence spoken. If it sounds off when you read it, revise it. The eye and the ear are great teammates in this game.

Where to look for trustworthy guidance

• Purdue OWL’s grammar sections offer clear explanations and plenty of examples.

• The Chicago and AP style guides give practical, real-world usage notes—great for writing that aims to be polished and precise.

• A good grammar dictionary, like Merriam-Webster’s, can help confirm how a verb behaves with different subjects.

A quick note on tone and nuance

No single rule can capture all English nuance—there are exceptions, regional variations, and shifting usage over time. The question you saw at the start is a crisp, fundamental guideline, but language loves nuance. If you ever bump into something that feels unsettled, take a breath, test your subject, and choose the verb form that aligns with the noun you’re actually talking about.

Bringing it back to everyday writing

You don’t need to overthink every sentence. A few steady habits can do most of the heavy lifting:

• Identify the main subject first, then the verb.

• Watch for phrases in the middle that might distract you from the main subject.

• Remember that singular and plural aren’t just grammar labels; they’re signals that guide clarity.

• When in doubt, rewrite or read aloud to hear the rhythm.

Subject-verb agreement isn’t glamorous, but it’s incredibly useful. It’s the quiet mechanic that keeps sentences honest, tasks clear, and messages understandable. If you’re learning English or building writing confidence, mastering this rule is like learning to ride a bike with a steady balance: once you have it, you glide through more complex sentences with ease.

A quick recap to keep in mind

• The subject and verb must match in number.

• The “middle” words don’t change the number unless they’re attached to the subject’s head.

• Indefinite pronouns, collective nouns, and phrases like “the number of” each behave a little differently, so notice what the head subject is telling you.

• Practice with real sentences, read them aloud, and use trusted grammar resources when you’re unsure.

If you’re curious to go deeper, consider exploring more examples and rules in grammar-focused resources. The more you expose yourself to varied sentences, the more natural these checks will feel. And the next time you see a sentence that seems a hair off, you’ll spot whether the subject and the verb are in sync—and you’ll know why it matters.

Resources you might find useful

• Purdue OWL grammar sections

• Merriam-Webster’s learner resources

• Style guides from reputable publishers for practical usage notes

Bottom line: subject-verb agreement is a small rule with big impact. By keeping the subject in view and treating number as your compass, you’ll write with greater clarity, and you’ll navigate sentence construction with a lot more confidence. The next sentence you craft will feel a little more effortless, a little more assured, and a lot more readable.