Common Verb Mistakes Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is one of the most common grammatical errors, especially for English learners. It involves ensuring that the verb form matches the subject’s number (singular or plural).

Common Mistakes:

1. Singular Subjects with Plural Verbs:
   • Incorrect: The team are playing well.
   • Correct: The team is playing well.
   • Explanation: “Team” is a singular collective noun.
2. Plural Subjects with Singular Verbs:
   • Incorrect: My friends is coming to visit.
   • Correct: My friends are coming to visit.
   • Explanation: “Friends” is a plural noun.
3. Confusing Subjects with Prepositional Phrases:
   • Incorrect: The box of chocolates is delicious.
   • Correct: The box of chocolates are delicious.
   • Explanation: The subject is “chocolates,” which is plural. The prepositional phrase “of chocolates” modifies the subject.
4. Indefinite Pronouns:
   • Incorrect: Everyone are happy.
   • Correct: Everyone is happy.
   • Explanation: “Everyone” is a singular indefinite pronoun.
5. “Neither…nor” and “Either…or”:
   • Incorrect: Neither you nor I is going.
   • Correct: Neither you nor I are going.
   • Explanation: The verb agrees with the closest subject.

Tips for Correct Subject-Verb Agreement:

• Identify the Subject: Determine the noun or pronoun that is performing the action.
• Check the Number: Is the subject singular or plural?
• Match the Verb: Use a singular verb for singular subjects and a plural verb for plural subjects.
• Pay Attention to Prepositional Phrases: Don’t let prepositional phrases confuse you.
• Remember Indefinite Pronouns: Most indefinite pronouns are singular (e.g., everyone, someone, anyone, no one, everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody).

By following these guidelines, you can avoid common subject-verb agreement errors and improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

Subject-Verb Agreement Practice

Identify the correct verb form in each sentence.

1. The cat (is/are) sleeping on the couch.
2. My friends (is/are) going to the party.
3. The box of chocolates (is/are) delicious.
4. Everyone (is/are) happy.
5. Neither you nor I (is/are) going.
6. The team (is/are) winning the game.
7. The children (is/are) playing outside.
8. The dog (is/are) barking at the mailman.
9. The book (is/are) interesting.
10. My parents (is/are) coming for dinner.

Answers:

1. is
2. are
3. are
4. is
5. are
6. is
7. are
8. is
9. is
10. are