subject + base verb / verb + -sIn the present, singular subjects take the -s form and plural subjects take the base form.
Subject-Verb Agreement
A1Match the verb to the subject: singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs. In the present, she works but the dogs bark.
What you'll learn
- Use the -s verb form after a singular present-time subject.
- Use the base verb after a plural present-time subject.
- Choose am, is, or are from the subject.
- Ignore a nearby noun and match the verb to the real subject.
- Use subject clues like he, they, every, and two.
Structure
subject + am/is/are + complementChoose am, is, or are from the subject, not from the word nearest the verb.
Build a sentence
Subject
Verb
Heworks
He works every day.
Singular subject + present verb with -s.
When to use
One person or thing
Use a singular verb when the subject means one person, one animal, or one thing: Maria works, the cat sleeps, my phone rings.
More than one
Use the base verb when the subject means two or more: Maria and Tom work, the cats sleep, my friends live nearby.
With be
Be changes shape to match the subject: I am late, Lisa is ready, the children are hungry.
Extra words after subject
Do not let words after the subject change the verb: The manager with two assistants is busy.
Markers
hesheittheyeveryeachtwomany
Spelling
most verbs after singular subject
→ + swork → worksends in -ch, -sh, -s, -x, -z, -o
→ + eswatch → watchesconsonant + y
→ drop y, + iesstudy → studiesCommon mistakes
Wrong
The dog bark every night.
Correct
The dog barks every night.
A singular subject takes the singular present form: bark becomes barks.
Wrong
The dogs barks at strangers.
Correct
The dogs bark at strangers.
A plural subject takes the base verb with no -s.
Wrong
The books is on the table.
Correct
The books are on the table.
Books is plural, so the be form must be are.
Wrong
The teacher with two students are outside.
Correct
The teacher with two students is outside.
Teacher is the real subject. Two students is only extra information.
Common misconceptions
❝ The verb matches the noun closest to it. ❞
The verb matches the subject of the sentence. Ignore extra nouns in phrases like with two students or in the box.
❝ Every singular subject just takes a verb with -s. ❞
That works for many present verbs, but be is different: I am, he is, they are.
Skills in this rule (6)
SINGULAR_TAKES_S_VERBw5Use the -s verb form after a singular subject in the present
With a singular subject like he, she, it, Anna, or the dog, the present-tense verb takes -s or -es. Match one person or thing with the singular verb form.
PLURAL_TAKES_BASE_VERBw5Use the base verb after a plural subject in the present
With a plural subject like they, the dogs, or my friends, use the base verb without -s. Match more than one person or thing with the plural verb form.
MATCH_BE_WITH_SUBJECTw5Choose am, is, or are to match the subject
Use am with I, is with singular subjects, and are with plural subjects. Check the subject first, then choose the be form.
IGNORE_NEARBY_NOUNw4Match the verb to the real subject, not a nearby noun
The verb follows the main subject, even when another noun comes after with, together with, or in a prepositional phrase. Find who or what the sentence is really about.
COUNT_COLLECTIVE_AS_ONE_OR_MANYw3Choose a singular or plural verb by the meaning of the group
Some group words can mean one unit or the people inside the group. Use a singular verb for the group as one thing and a plural verb when the members act separately.
PICK_AGREEMENT_MARKERSw3Notice subject clues that control the verb form
Words like he, they, every, and two help you see whether the subject is singular or plural. Use these clues before you choose the verb.