What Is Subject-Verb Concord?
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
What Is Subject-Verb Concord?
Subjects and verbs are the principal components of language. Before we can provide descriptive or informative details in a sentence, we must know the actor and the action.
Subjects and verbs are so fundamental to communication in English that they can form complete thoughts alone.
Examples
Jon runs.
You walk.
Jennifer jogs.
English subjects and verbs also must agree in number. In other words, a singular subject must have a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. This is referred to in grammar as subject-verb concord (also known as subject-verb agreement).
In addition to understanding proper grammar, we recognize that subjects and verbs that do not have concord simply do not sound right in a declarative context:
Jon run.
You walks.
Jennifer jog.
Subject-Verb Concord: Nouns
Subject-verb concord for nouns and regular verbs in the simple present tense is determined by number alone. In many cases, a singular noun takes a singular verb that ends in -s. A plural noun takes a plural verb that drops the -s and maintains the infinitive root.
verb: to eat
The cat eats twice a day. (singular subject and verb)
The cats eat twice a day. (plural subject and verb)
An exception to this formation is the verb to be, which uses is for the singular and are for the plural (thus making to be an irregular verb).
The cat is hungry.
The cats are hungry.
Two singular nouns functioning as a compound subject would form a plural unit that takes a plural verb.
The cat eats.
The cat and the dog eat.The cat is hungry.
The cat and the dog are hungry.
Also note the following about verb changes in maintaining subject-verb concord in the third-person singular:
1) If the verb ends in -x, -ss, -sh, -ch, -tch, or -zz, add -es to the end.
My son passes that house on the way to school.
The furniture matches the room colors well.
2) If the verb ends in a consonant + -y, omit the -y and add –ies.
The country’s royal family typically marries only other royals.
My remote-control plane flies higher than yours!
For insight into changes for verbs that are not regular, review our discussion Staying Regular with Irregular Verbs.
Subject-Verb Concord: Pronouns
Subject-verb concord for pronouns in the simple present tense is determined by person and number. Most verbs keep their infinitive root except in the third-person singular.
| Person | Verb: to eat | |||
| first | I | eat | we | eat |
| second | you | eat | you | eat |
| third | he, she, it | eats | they | eat |
The exception is once again the verb to be.
| Person | Verb: to be | |||
| first | I | am | we | are |
| second | you | are | you | are |
| third | he, she, it | is | they | are |
Note that regular verbs in the simple past and simple future do not change form according to the noun, number, or person.
| Noun | Pronoun | Simple Past | Simple Future |
| I | ate | will eat | |
| you | ate | will eat | |
| the cat | he, she, it | ate | will eat |
| we | ate | will eat | |
| you (plural) | ate | will eat | |
| the cats | they | ate | will eat |
Subject-Verb Concord: Helping Verbs
Proper subject-verb concord also applies to certain helping verbs, which are referred to as modal or auxiliary verbs as well. Helping verbs indicate that another verb is to follow.
Some examples of these verbs are will, shall, can, may, could, and would. These supporting verbs do not change form regardless of the person or number involved.
Examples
Sharisse will visit her cousin this weekend.
They will visit their cousin this weekend.The directors can assist you with that proposal.
I can assist you with that proposal.We should follow the advice of our doctor.
Asher should follow the advice of his doctor.
Three helping verbs do change form in the simple present or simple past tenses depending on person and number: be, do, and have.
| Verb: be | Simple Present | Simple Past |
| I | am | was |
| you | are | were |
| he, she, it | is | was |
| we, you (pl.), they | are | were |
| Verb: have | Simple Present | Verb: do | Simple Present |
| I | have | I | do |
| you | have | you | do |
| he, she, it | has | he, she, it | does |
| we, you (pl.), they | have | we, you (pl.), they | do |
Examples
I was riding my bike when the mail arrived.
Anna and Butch were riding their bikes when the mail arrived.We do believe that the budget should be adjusted.
The mayor does believe that the budget should be adjusted.I have been to Greece.
Kristie has been to Greece.
For a further discussion of subject-verb concord, you can also review Subject and Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns.
Pop Quiz
Determine if each sentence has subject-verb concord. If not, provide the correct verb.
1. I has traveled in a hot-air balloon. [Yes / No]
2. Mukasa is attracting international attention for his athletic skills. [Yes / No]
3. Donetta and Richard does believe that constellations tell stories. [Yes / No]
4. The pastor pray with the congregation. [Yes / No]
5. Ryan serves in the military. [Yes / No]
Pop Quiz Answers
1. I has traveled in a hot-air balloon. No (have)
2. Mukasa is attracting international attention for his athletic skills. Yes
3. Donetta and Richard does believe that constellations tell stories. No (do)
4. The pastor pray with the congregation. No (prays)
5. Ryan serves in the military. Yes
If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
Why do so many people nowadays from all walks of life ignore the Subject-Verb Agreement when using the word “there” followed by the singular verbs “is,” “was,” and “has” to refer to plural nouns? The following sentences are now commonly used:
There is (There’s) reports of accidents on the ski slopes.
There is (There’s) issues with the election results.
There was problems with the negotiations.
There has been incidents outside the stadium.
Whatever has happened to There are … / There were … / There have been … when referring to plural nouns?
Which is correct? Neither the boy nor I (am or is) coming.
Our Rule 3 of Subject-Verb Agreement says, “The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.”
These constructions should be approached with discernment. For example, they can lead to awkward sentences such as:
Neither she, my friends, nor I am going to the festival.
Such sentences are often better rewritten.
I am seeing (hearing) on TV a spreading habit of using plural verbs with singular nouns, such as family, team, group, audience etc.
The team head off in another direction?
The family are worried?
The group wait for more news?
The audience are not happy?
Mrs. Urkhardt would roll over in her grave! Much as she likely does whenever anyone writes “recieve.”