Subject-verb agreement is one of the most important grammar rules in the English language. It ensures that the subject and verb agree in number, which means that a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb. In other words, subject-verb agreement is the backbone of proper grammar. However, this rule can sometimes be tricky, especially when dealing with complex sentences, compound subjects and verbs, and indefinite pronouns. For this reason, it is crucial to understand and follow the subject-verb agreement rules. In this article, we will share some of the most important subject-verb agreement rules in PDF format.

1. The subject and verb must agree in number.

2. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

3. Singular verbs end with -s or -es, while plural verbs do not.

4. Compound subjects connected by “and” take a plural verb.

5. If the compound subject is joined by “or,” the verb agrees with the closest subject.

6. Collective nouns are usually singular, but they can be plural if the individuals within the group are emphasized.

7. Indefinite pronouns such as “all,” “some,” “any,” and “none” can be either singular or plural, depending on the context.

8. When the subject is a fraction or a percentage, use a singular verb.

9. Titles of books, movies, and other works are treated as a singular subject.

10. “Each,” “every,” and “either” are always singular.

11. “Neither” is always singular, but it is followed by a plural verb.

12. When the subject is a collective noun that refers to a specific group of people, use a plural verb.

13. When a subject and verb are separated by a prepositional phrase, the subject still determines the number of the verb.

14. If the subject is a gerund, the verb is always singular.

15. If the subject is a plural noun but represents a single item, use a singular verb.

16. If the subject is a singular noun but represents multiple items, use a plural verb.

17. “There” and “here” are never the subject of a sentence, so the verb agrees with the following noun.

18. When the subject is a clause, the verb agrees with the main subject of the sentence.

19. When the subject is a noncount noun, use a singular verb.

20. When the subject is a plural noun but refers to a single entity, use a singular verb.

These are just a few of the many subject-verb agreement rules in the English language. Understanding and following these rules is crucial for clear and effective communication. To learn more about subject-verb agreement, we recommend downloading and reading our 20 subject-verb agreement rules PDF. This PDF provides detailed explanations of the rules, along with examples to illustrate each one. By mastering these rules, you can become a better writer and communicator, and avoid common grammar mistakes.