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Definition of Subject Verb Agreement

The Subject Verb Agreement is a suitability between verbs and subjects in

terms of numbers, that is: singular or plural. Subjects can be nouns, pronouns, or other
constructions that act as nouns. Basically, a single subject uses a single verb, while a
plural subject uses plural verbs.

Generally in the present tense, the singular verb is added to the -s suffix. As for
plural verbs without the -s suffix added. This rule also applies verbs to the subject in
the form of a third person and all personal pronouns except me and you. Even though
the form is a single subject, you and I are paired with plural verbs.

The most important provision in English is that the subject and the verb must
match. That is, if the subject is singular then, the verb is also singular. Conversely, if
the subject is plural then, the verb must also be plural.

2. Type Subject Verb Agreement

A. Singular Subject

Singular subject means a single subject. Singular verbs are formed from basic
words (basic verbs) and are added by the suffix -s. This applies to people when single,
so "I" and "You" are not included in the singular subject. The following are included
in the singular subject: She, He, It.

Example: The cat eats my fish

B. Plural Subject

Plural subject meaning that here the subject in the sentence consists of more
than one person. Plural verb does not need to be added by the -s suffix, on the contrary
if the plural subject needs to be added by the -s suffix. Included in the plural subject
are as follows: They, We.

Example: The Cats Eat my fish.

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3. Problems with subject verb agreement

A.Collective noun

Collective noun is a noun used to express a group name (more than one
member). As a subject, this noun can be singular or plural depending on context. If the
group members do the same thing simultaneously, then it is considered as a unity of
the subject (in the form of collective noun), verb, pronoun, and the accompanying
determiner in the singular. Conversely, if a group member acts individually, then the
subject is assumed to be a collective noun, verb, pronoun and the accompanying
determiner in the plural.

Example:

1. Singular

This class is reading seriously its book to prepare its exam

The subject "class" in the context of this sentence means that all class members have
the same and serious disability to prepare for the same exam.

2. Plural

These classes are seriously reading their book to prepare for their exam

The subject "class" in the context of this sentence means that class members read
different books seriously in order to prepare for different exams at different times.

B. Compound subject

• If there are two or more subjects, both singular and plural, associated with the
coordinate conjunction "And" then use plural verb

Example: Susi, Lisa and I were at home

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• If there are two or more singular subjects related to "OR" or "NOR" then use a singular
verb. The opposite applies to plural verbs

Example: The Jeans or the shirts are in the cupboard

• If the compound subject using OR or NOR consists of singular and plural noun or
pronoun, then the verb follows the subject closest to its position, both before and after
it (question sentence)

Example: The woman or her friends eat lunch here every Monday

• If the compound subject consists of both positive and negative subjects (singular and
plural), then the verb follows the positive.

Example: It is mine, not theirs, that has wore out.

C. Indefinite Pronoun

Idenfinite pronoun is a pronoun for people, things or things generally not specific. This
Pronoun is in the form of singular, plural or one of the two.

• Singular idenfinite pronoun

Anything, anybody, anyone, everything, everybody, everyone, something, somebody,

someone, nothing, nobody, less, much, each, another, either, neither, enough, little.

Example: Everybody likes him

• Plural idenfinite pronoun

Many, few, several, both.

Example: Few came on time

• Singular / plural idenfinite pronoun

All, none, some, any, more, most

Example: Have you any questions?