When the subject and the verb of any sentence match each other or have same form then it is said that subject and verb agree with each other.

  • If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular.
  • If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

 

Subject and verb must agree in following ways.

  • In person: First person, second person and third person.
  • In number: Singular or plural.

 

Now, see following examples. In following examples, subjects are in bold and verbs are in colour.

  • Sanketh plays tennis.
    (Here subject ‘Sanketh’ is third person singular so verb ‘plays’ is also in singular form. )
    (verb + s/es = singular,
    here play + s = plays)
  •  

  • They play football.
    (Here subject ‘They’ is third person plural so verb ‘play’ is in plural form.)
  •  

  • I am eating.
    (Here subject ‘I’ is first person so we are using ‘am’ with the verb)
  •  

  • You are dancing.
    (Here subject ‘you’ is second person so we are using ‘are’ with the verb)
  •  

  • My friend Supreeth goes to the same gym as I do.
    (Here subject ‘My friend Supreeth’ is third person singular so verb ‘goes’ is also in singular form. )
    (verb + s/es = singular,
    here go + es = goes)
  •  

  • The plane flies to London every day.
    (Here subject ‘The plane’ is third person singular so verb ‘flies’ is also in singular form. )
    (verb + s/es = singular,
    here fly + es = flies)

 

Click here to see where to use s and es while making singular forms of verbs.

Click here to see the rules of subject and verb agreement.