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Agreement Rules

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English agreement rules ensure that different parts of a sentence match each other in number (singular or plural), person (first, second, or third), and gender (where applicable). This agreement is crucial for clear and grammatically correct communication.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The verb in a sentence must match the subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). This is the most fundamental rule of English grammar.
  • Singular subjects take singular verbs (usually ending in -s or -es in the present tense).
  • Plural subjects take plural verbs (the base form without -s in the present tense).
  • The pronouns I and you take plural verb forms (e.g., I run, you run).
  • Most verbs add -s or -es in the present tense for third-person singular subjects (he runs, she watches).

Examples

Singular SubjectVerbExample
HerunsHe runs every morning.
ShewatchesShe watches TV at night.
The dogbarksThe dog barks loudly.
My friendisMy friend is here.
Plural SubjectVerbExample
TheyrunThey run every morning.
WewatchWe watch TV at night.
The dogsbarkThe dogs bark loudly.
My friendsareMy friends are here.

Special Cases

  • Subjects joined by "and" are plural: Tom and Jerry are friends.
  • Subjects joined by "or" or "nor" agree with the nearer subject: Either the teacher or the students are late.
  • Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, somebody) are usually singular: Everyone is invited.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

A pronoun must match its antecedent (the noun it replaces) in number, person, and gender.
  • Singular antecedents take singular pronouns: He, she, it, his, her, its.
  • Plural antecedents take plural pronouns: They, their, them.
  • Use he or she for singular antecedents when gender is unknown, or use singular they for inclusivity.
  • Pronouns must match antecedents in person: first-person antecedents take I/me/my, second-person take you, third-person take he/she/they.

Examples

AntecedentCorrect PronounExample
The girl (singular, feminine)she/herThe girl forgot her book.
The boys (plural, masculine)they/theirThe boys lost their keys.
Someone (singular, unknown gender)he or she / theySomeone left their umbrella.
The team (singular)it / theyThe team is winning its game. (or They are winning their game.)
Note: Collective nouns like team can take singular or plural pronouns depending on context.

Modifier Agreement

Modifiers must correctly match the words they describe, both in form and number.
  • Adjectives do not change form for singular or plural in English: a red apple, red apples.
  • Determiners must match number: this (singular), these (plural); that (singular), those (plural).
  • Pronouns as modifiers must agree in number: my book (singular), our books (plural).
  • Adverbs do not change form and modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Examples

Modifier TypeSingular ExamplePlural Example
DeterminerThis apple is red.These apples are red.
AdjectiveA small dogSmall dogs
Pronoun ModifierMy carOur cars
AdverbShe runs quickly.They run quickly.

Compound Subject Agreement

What verb form do you use with subjects joined by 'and'?


Plural.

Subjects joined by 'and' form a plural compound subject, which requires a plural verb.
  • Subjects joined by and are plural and take plural verbs: Tom and Jerry are friends.
  • Subjects joined by or or nor take a verb that agrees with the subject closest to the verb:
    • Either the teacher or the students are late.
    • Neither the students nor the teacher is late.

Examples

Compound SubjectVerbExample
Tom and JerryareTom and Jerry are here.
The cat and the dogplayThe cat and the dog play outside.
Either John or MaryisEither John or Mary is coming.
Neither the boys nor the girlisNeither the boys nor the girl is ready.

Collective Noun Agreement

When should collective nouns take singular verbs?


When the group acts as a single unit.

Collective nouns take singular verbs when the group is considered one entity.
  • Treat collective nouns as singular when the group acts as one unit: The team wins the match.
  • Treat collective nouns as plural when members act individually or are emphasized: The team are arguing among themselves.
  • Context determines whether the verb is singular or plural.

Examples

Collective NounVerb (Singular/Plural)Meaning
---------
The teamare (plural)Members act individually
The committeedecides (singular)Acts as one group
The committeehave differing opinions (plural)Members differ

Indefinite Pronoun Agreement

  • Most indefinite pronouns are singular and take singular verbs: everyone, someone, nobody.
  • Some are always plural: few, many, several.
  • Others can be singular or plural depending on context: all, some, none.
  • Use singular pronouns for singular indefinite pronouns: everyone — he or she, or use singular they.

Examples

Indefinite PronounVerb AgreementExample
EveryonesingularEveryone is here.
FewpluralFew are ready.
Somesingular or pluralSome is missing. / Some are missing.
Nonesingular or pluralNone is lost. / None are lost.

Number Agreement in Questions and Inverted Sentences

  • Identify the subject first, ignoring auxiliary verbs and question words.
  • The verb agrees with the subject, regardless of sentence order.

Examples

QuestionExplanation
Does she like coffee?Subject: she (singular) → Verb: does
Are they coming?Subject: they (plural) → Verb: are
Where is the book?Subject: the book (singular) → Verb: is

Summary

  • Subjects and verbs must agree in number and person.
  • Pronouns must match their antecedents in number, person, and gender.
  • Modifiers must agree in number with the nouns they describe.
  • Compound subjects joined by and take plural verbs; joined by or/nor take the nearer subject's number.
  • Collective nouns can be singular or plural based on context.
  • Indefinite pronouns require careful agreement based on their inherent number.
  • In questions and inverted sentences, find the subject first to determine verb agreement.

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

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