Correct errors with subject-verb agreement

Key Notes:

What is Subject–Verb Agreement?

👉 The verb in a sentence must agree with the subject in number (singular or plural).
✅ Example:

• She plays football. 🏐
• They play football. ⚽

Singular Subjects → Singular Verbs

A singular subject takes a singular verb (usually ends with -s).
✅ Example:

• The dog barks loudly. 🐶
  ❌ The dog bark loudly.

3. Plural Subjects → Plural Verbs

A plural subject takes a plural verb (no -s at the end).
✅ Example:

• The dogs bark at night. 🌙
  ❌ The dogs barks at night.

Compound Subjects (Joined by and)

When two subjects are joined by and, use a plural verb.
✅ Example:

• Riya and Ravi are friends. 👭
  ❌ Riya and Ravi is friends.

🟡 Exception: If the two subjects refer to one idea or thing, use singular.
✅ Example:

• Bread and butter is my breakfast. 🍞🧈

Subjects Joined by or / nor

When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
✅ Example:

• Either Riya or her friends are coming. 🎉
• Either the students or the teacher is busy. 👩‍🏫

Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects

Some indefinite pronouns are always singular:
💫 each, everyone, everybody, anyone, someone, nobody, anybody
✅ Example:

• Everyone likes ice cream. 🍦

Some are always plural:
💫 many, few, several, both
✅ Example:

• Few know the truth. 🤫

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (like team, family, class) can take singular or plural verbs depending on meaning.
✅ Example:

• The team is winning. 🏆 (as one group)
• The team are arguing. 😠 (as individuals)

8. Words Between Subject and Verb

Ignore the words between the subject and verb — the verb agrees with the main subject.
✅ Example:

• The box of chocolates is on the table. 🍫
  ❌ The box of chocolates are on the table.

Titles or Names

Titles of books, movies, or organizations take singular verbs.
✅ Example:

• The Avengers is a great movie. 🎬

Be Careful with “There is / There are”

The verb agrees with the real subject after it.
✅ Example:

• There is a cat on the roof. 🐈
• There are two cats on the roof. 🐱🐱

Quick Tips to Correct Errors

💡 1. Find the subject first.
💡 2. Check if it’s singular or plural.
💡 3. Match the verb form correctly.
💡 4. Watch out for tricky words (each, everyone, neither, etc.).

Examples for Practice

1️⃣ The boys play football every day. ⚽
2️⃣ The girl likes chocolate. 🍫
3️⃣ Neither the teacher nor the students were late. 🏫
4️⃣ Everyone enjoys the party. 🎉
5️⃣ Bread and butter is on the plate. 🍞🧈