Subject-Verb Agreement

Grade 5 · English · Study Guide

Learn how to match subjects and verbs correctly so your sentences sound polished and professional.

Subject-verb agreement means the subject and verb in a sentence must match in number. A singular subject (one person or thing) needs a singular verb, and a plural subject (more than one) needs a plural verb. For example: 'The dog runs' (singular) vs. 'The dogs run' (plural).

Compound subjects joined by 'and' are usually plural and take a plural verb. But when subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example: 'Either the teacher or the students are ready.'

Watch out for tricky cases: collective nouns like 'team' or 'class' are usually treated as singular. Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone,' 'nobody,' and 'each' are always singular — even though they feel plural.

Singular vs. Plural Verbs
Subject	Verb Form	Example
Singular (he/she/it)	Add -s or -es	She reads every night.
Plural (they/we)	Base form	They read every night.
Compound with 'and'	Plural verb	Tom and Sara are here.
Compound with 'or/nor'	Match nearest subject	Neither Tom nor the girls are late.

Always Singular Indefinite Pronouns
Pronoun	Example
Everyone	Everyone is welcome.
Nobody	Nobody knows the answer.
Each	Each student has a pencil.
Either / Neither	Neither answer is correct.

Key terms

Subject-Verb Agreement: The rule that a subject and verb must match in number (singular or plural)
Singular Subject: One person, place, or thing — takes a singular verb (he runs)
Plural Subject: More than one — takes a plural verb (they run)
Indefinite Pronoun: Words like everyone, nobody, each — always take a singular verb

Practice questions

Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?
1. The dogs runs in the park.
2. The dog run in the park.
3. The dog runs in the park.
4. The dogs running in the park.
Show answer
Singular subject 'dog' takes the singular verb 'runs.'
Which verb correctly completes: 'Everyone _____ finished the test.'?
1. have
2. has
3. are
4. were
Show answer
'Everyone' is an indefinite pronoun that always takes a singular verb.
When a compound subject is joined by 'and,' use a _______ verb.
Show answer
Two subjects joined by 'and' together make a plural subject requiring a plural verb.
Which sentence has correct subject-verb agreement?
1. The team are playing well.
2. The team is playing well.
3. The team were playing well.
4. The team play well today.
Show answer
Collective nouns like 'team' are treated as a single unit and take a singular verb.
Choose the correct verb: 'Neither the captain nor the players _____ ready.'
1. is
2. was
3. are
4. has been
Show answer
With 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the nearest subject — 'players' is plural, so use 'are.'

Fun facts

The word 'data' is technically plural (singular: datum), but in everyday English most people treat it as singular — both are accepted.
In Old English, verbs had many more agreement forms — modern English simplified this so only third-person singular adds an '-s.'

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