What is subject verb agreement? It’s when you use the correct form of the verb. Simply put, singular nouns take a singular verb. Plural nouns take a plural verb. Most of us unconsciously choose the correct verb form. For instance we say, Mary needs a ride. But if we are talking about more than one person we would say, Alex and Jordan need a ride. See the difference?
Things get tricky when using indefinite pronouns and collective nouns.
Indefinite Pronouns and subject verb agreement
Subject verb agreement with indefinite pronouns can be a challenge. An indefinite pronoun is one that does not refer to a particular person, amount, or thing. Some examples are: anyone, each, and nothing.
Indefinite pronouns can be divided into three groups based on whether they take a singular or plural verb. Those that always take a singular verb end in -one, -body, -thing. The words each, either, and neither also take a singular verb. So we say, Anyone that needs a ride should meet at noon. Each rider needs a permission slip.
Indefinite pronouns that always take the plural verb include: both, few, many, others, several. Several students need to turn in permission slips. A few need to complete the emergency contact form.
Finally, there is a group of indefinite pronouns that take a singular or plural verb depending on how they are used: any, all, more, most, and some. Any student that needs a new form should see me. Any students that don’t have a signed permission form need to find other transportation. Do you see how the subject in the first case is singular? Any student refers to individual students. In the second case ‘any’ comes before students, which is plural so it takes the plural verb.
Collective Nouns and subject verb agreement
Another tricky subject verb agreement comes with collective nouns. A collective noun is a noun which refers to a group as a single unit. For example herd, choir, and pile (as in a pile of laundry) are all collective nouns. They refer to the whole group of animals, singers, or dirty socks as a single entity. Therefore, you use the singular verb. Examples: The herd needs to migrate when the weather changes; The choir needs lots of practice; That stinky pile needs an extra scoop of detergent.
Tricky Plural Nouns
Another tricky subject verb agreement is for words like scissors and pants. Are they plural or singular? If you can add ‘pair of’ to the item, treat it as plural. That pair of scissors need sharpening; This pair of pants need a quick pressing with an iron.
Errors in subject verb agreement are easy to avoid when you know how to treat indefinite pronouns, collective nouns and tricky plural nouns.
