Subject-Verb Agreement

What is subject-verb agreement? Subjects must agree with their verbs in

number and in person Number: singular or plural Person: first, second, or third

Verbs must agree with their subject, not with a word that comes between

Rules of agreementSINGULAR and PLURAL subjects

Use the base form of the verb (such as have, love, or do) to match the subject

When a subject is third person singular, use the –s form of the verb (such as has, loves, or does)

SINGULAR verbs add an –s to the base (drives, runs, rides)

PLURAL verbs do not add an –s to the base (drive, run, ride)

Examples of agreement The marigolds in the flower pot need watering.

Marigolds are a plural subject therefore need is a plural verb.

A good pair of running shoes costs a lot of money. Pair is the subject, not running shoes, and is

singular; therefore, costs is a singular verb.

Ashley and Dan make a great couple. Ashley and Dan is a compound subject and create a

plural subject, therefore make is a plural verb.