The verb must match the subject
A singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb. In the present simple, this means -s for he/she/it (She works), and is/was vs are/were with be.
Singular subject
- The boy plays football.
- My brother is tall.
- Everyone knows her.
Plural subject
- The boys play football.
- My brothers are tall.
- Both of them know her.
Rule
Tricky cases
- Words between the subject and the verb don’t change it: The box of chocolates is on the table. (box = subject)
- Each, every, everyone, everybody, someone, nobody, anything, everything → singular: Everybody is here.
- Both, several, few, many → plural: Both are correct.
- A number of + plural verb: A number of students are late. The number of + singular verb: The number of students is growing.
- Two subjects joined by and → plural: Tom and Anna are friends. (but one idea: Fish and chips is my favourite meal.)
- Or / nor / either … or / neither … nor → the verb agrees with the nearer subject: Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.
- Uncountable nouns take a singular verb: The information is useful.
- Collective nouns (team, family, class): usually singular in American English, singular or plural in British English: The team is / are winning.
The boxsubject (singular)
of chocolatesextra words
issingular verb
on the table.
The bookssubject (plural)
on the shelfextra words
areplural verb
mine.
Lots of examples
- My sister works in a bank.Singular + -s.
- My parents work in a hospital.Plural.
- Everybody wants to be happy.Everybody = singular.
- Both of my brothers live abroad.Both = plural.
- The price of petrol is rising.Subject = price.
- The prices of these books are high.Subject = prices.
- Tom and Anna are coming to dinner.And = plural.
- Either my parents or my sister is driving me.Nearer subject: sister.
- Neither of them was late.Neither of = singular (formal).
- A number of people have complained.A number of = plural.
- The number of complaints has grown.The number of = singular.
- The news is good, and the trousers are new.News singular; trousers plural.
Don’t say / Say
Don’t sayThe boxes of chocolates is on the table.
SayThe boxes of chocolates are on the table.Why: Subject = boxes.
Don’t sayEveryone are here.
SayEveryone is here.Why: Everyone is singular.
Don’t sayMy friend and I is going.
SayMy friend and I are going.Why: Two subjects with and.
Don’t sayThe information are useful.
SayThe information is useful.Why: Uncountable → singular.
Don’t sayThere is many people.
SayThere are many people.Why: The verb agrees with the noun after there.