Subject–Verb Agreement – Rules, Examples & Practice for Beginners

Learn subject–verb agreement in English grammar with clear rules, easy examples, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Perfect for students and beginners.

Subject–verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must match the subject in number and person.

👉 In simple words:

• Singular subject → singular verb
• Plural subject → plural verb

If the subject and verb do not agree, the sentence becomes grammatically incorrect

Examples:

• She likes music.
• He plays cricket.
• They like music.
• We play cricket.

Teacher’s note:
Verbs ending with s/es are usually singular, not plural. This confuses many students.

When the subject is he, she, or it, the verb usually ends with s or es.

Examples:

• He writes neatly.
• She teaches English.
• It works well.

❌ He write neatly
✅ He writes neatly

Plural subjects do not take s/es with the verb.

Examples:

• Students study hard.
• Children play outside.
• My friends visit me often.

❌ Students studies hard
✅ Students study hard

Even though I and you refer to a single person, they use plural verb forms.

Examples:

• I am ready.
• I like English.
• You are my friend.
• You play well.

When two subjects are joined by and, the verb is usually plural.

Examples:

• Ramesh and Suresh are brothers.
• Tea and coffee are my favourite.

Words like each, everyone, everybody, someone, nobody take a singular verb.

Examples:

• Everyone likes holidays.
• Each student has an ID card.
• Somebody is at the door.

❌ She go to school daily
✅ She goes to school daily

❌ The children plays outside
✅ The children play outside

❌ Everyone know the answer
✅ Everyone knows the answer

Teacher’s tip:
Always identify the real subject, not the word closest to the verb.

📝 Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Verb

1. She ___ (likes / like) coffee.
2. They ___ (plays / play) football.
3. Everyone ___ (knows / know) the rule.
4. My brother ___ (work / works) in a bank.
5. The teachers ___ (teach / teaches) English.

📝 Exercise 2: Correct the Sentence

1. He go to office daily.
2. The boys plays cricket.
3. Everyone like sweets.
4. She do not understand this rule.
5. My friends enjoys the trip.

Correct subject–verb agreement:

• makes sentences clear
• improves writing quality
• avoids basic grammar errors
• helps in exams and interviews

Even a small mistake in subject–verb agreement can make a sentence incorrect.

It is the rule that the verb must agree with the subject in number and person

In the present tense, yes — except with I and you.

Yes. Correct agreement improves clarity and confidence in speaking.

Subject–verb agreement is one of the most important grammar rules in English. Once you learn to match the subject with the correct verb form, your sentences become accurate and natural. Practice regularly to avoid common mistakes.

Instruction: Choose the correct verb that agrees with the subject.

1. She ___ (likes / like) English grammar.
2. The students ___ (study / studies) every evening.
3. My brother ___ (works / work) in a hospital.
4. Everyone ___ (knows / know) the answer.
5. They ___ (plays / play) football daily.

Instruction: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb.

1. He ______ (go) to office by bus.
2. The teacher ______ (explain) the lesson clearly.
3. My parents ______ (live) in Hyderabad.
4. Each student ______ (have) an ID card.
5. She ______ (write) neatly.

Instruction: Each sentence has one mistake. Correct it.

1. She go to school every day.
2. The children plays in the park.
3. Everyone like ice cream.
4. My friend enjoy reading books.
5. He do not understand this rule.

Instruction: Write True or False.

1. A singular subject takes a singular verb.
2. “They likes music” is a correct sentence.
3. “Everyone” always takes a singular verb.
4. Verbs ending with s are always plural.
5. “I play cricket” follows subject–verb agreement.

Instruction: Rewrite the sentences correctly.

1. The boy play cricket.
2. She do not like tea.
3. My friends enjoys the trip.
4. Everyone know the rule.
5. The teacher explain the lesson.

Instruction: Tick (✓) the sentence with correct subject–verb agreement.

1. ☐ She like apples.
   ☐ She likes apples.
2. ☐ They goes to school.
   ☐ They go to school.
3. ☐ Everyone knows the answer.
   ☐ Everyone know the answer.
4. ☐ My parents lives here.
   ☐ My parents live here.
5. ☐ He work hard.
   ☐ He works hard.

Always find the real subject first, then decide whether it is singular or plural before choosing the verb.