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Subject-Verb Agreement
Pronouns
Being able to find the right subject and verb will help you correct errors of subject-verb agreement.
Basic rule
. A singular subject (
she, Bill, car
) takes a singular verb (
is, goes, shines
), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.
. A singular subject (
she, Bill, car
) takes a singular verb (
is, goes, shines
), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.
| Example : | The list of items is /are on the desk . |
| If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb. |
Rule 1
. A subject will come before a phrase beginning with
of
. This is a key rule for understanding subjects. The word
of
is the culprit in many, perhaps most, subject-verb mistakes.
. A subject will come before a phrase beginning with
of
. This is a key rule for understanding subjects. The word
of
is the culprit in many, perhaps most, subject-verb mistakes.
Hasty writers, speakers, readers, and listeners might miss the all-too-common mistake in the following sentence:
| Incorrect : | A bouquet of yellow roses lend color and fragrance to the room . |
| Correct : | A bouquet of yellow roses lends . . . ( bouquet lends , not roses lend ) |
Rule 2
. Two singular subjects connected by
or, either/or
, or
neither/nor
require a singular verb.
. Two singular subjects connected by
or, either/or
, or
neither/nor
require a singular verb.
| Examples : | My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today . |
| Neither Juan nor Carmen is available . | |
| Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations . |
Rule 3
. The verb in an
or, either/or
, or
neither/nor
sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.
. The verb in an
or, either/or
, or
neither/nor
sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.
| Examples : | Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf . |
| Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf . |
This rule can lead to bumps in the road. For example, if
I
is one of two (or more) subjects, it could lead to this odd sentence:
I
is one of two (or more) subjects, it could lead to this odd sentence:
| Awkward : | Neither she, my friends, nor I am going to the festival . |
If possible, it's best to reword such grammatically correct but awkward sentences.
| Better : | Neither she, I, nor my friends are going to the festival . |
| OR | |
| She, my friends, and I are not going to the festival . |
Rule 4
. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by
and
.
. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by
and
.
| Example : | A car and a bike are my means of transportation . |
But note these exceptions:
| Exceptions : | Breaking and entering is against the law . |
| The bed and breakfast was charming . |
In those sentences,
breaking and entering
and
bed and breakfast
are compound nouns.
breaking and entering
and
bed and breakfast
are compound nouns.
Rule 5
. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as
along with, as well as, besides, not
, etc. These words and phrases are not part of the subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular.
. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as
along with, as well as, besides, not
, etc. These words and phrases are not part of the subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular.
| Examples : | The politician , along with the newsmen, is expected shortly . |
| Excitement , as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking . |
Rule 6
. With words that indicate portionsâ
percent, fraction, majority, some, all,
etc.âRule 1 given earlier is reversed, and we are guided by the noun after
of
. If the noun after
of
is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
. With words that indicate portionsâ
percent, fraction, majority, some, all,
etc.âRule 1 given earlier is reversed, and we are guided by the noun after
of
. If the noun after
of
is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
| Examples : | Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared . |
| Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared . | |
| A third of the city is unemployed. | |
| A third of the people are unemployed. | |
| All of the pie is gone. | |
| All of the pies are gone. | |
| Some of the pie is missing. | |
| Some of the pies are missing. |
Note
In recent years, the SAT testing service has considered
none
to be strictly singular. However, according to
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage
: “Clearly
none
has been both singular and plural since Old English and still is. The notion that it is singular only is a myth of unknown origin that appears to have arisen in the 19th century. If in context it seems like a singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable beyond serious criticism.” When
none
is clearly intended to mean “not one,” it is followed by a singular verb.
none
to be strictly singular. However, according to
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage
: “Clearly
none
has been both singular and plural since Old English and still is. The notion that it is singular only is a myth of unknown origin that appears to have arisen in the 19th century. If in context it seems like a singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable beyond serious criticism.” When
none
is clearly intended to mean “not one,” it is followed by a singular verb.
Rule 7
. In sentences beginning with
here
or
there
, the true subject follows the verb.
. In sentences beginning with
here
or
there
, the true subject follows the verb.
| Examples : | There are four hurdles to jump . |
| There is a high hurdle to jump . | |
| Here are the keys . |
Note
The word
there's
, a contraction of
there is
, leads to bad habits in informal sentences like
There's a lot of people here today
, because it's easier to say “there's” than “there are.” Take care never to use
there's
with a plural subject.
there's
, a contraction of
there is
, leads to bad habits in informal sentences like
There's a lot of people here today
, because it's easier to say “there's” than “there are.” Take care never to use
there's
with a plural subject.
Rule 8
. Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when considered as a unit.
. Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when considered as a unit.
| Examples : | Three miles is too far to walk . |
| Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense . | |
| Ten dollars is a high price to pay . | |
| BUT | |
| Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor . |
Rule 9
. Some collective nouns, such as
family, couple, staff, audience
, etc., may take either a singular or a plural verb, depending on their use in the sentence.
. Some collective nouns, such as
family, couple, staff, audience
, etc., may take either a singular or a plural verb, depending on their use in the sentence.
| Examples : | The staff is in a meeting . |
| Staff is acting as a unit. | |
| The couple disagree about disciplining their child . | |
| The couple refers to two people who are acting as individuals. |
Note
Anyone who uses a plural verb with a collective noun must take care to be accurateâand also consistent. It must not be done carelessly. The following is the sort of flawed sentence one sees and hears a lot these days:
| The staff is deciding how they want to vote . | |
| Careful speakers and writers would avoid assigning the singular is and the plural they to staff in the same sentence. | |
| Consistent : | The staff are deciding how they want to vote . |
Rewriting such sentences is recommended whenever possible. The preceding sentence would read even better as:
| The staff members are deciding how they want to vote . |
Rule 10
. The word
were
replaces
was
in sentences that express a wish or are contrary to fact:
. The word
were
replaces
was
in sentences that express a wish or are contrary to fact:
| Example : | If Joe were here, you'd be sorry . |
Shouldn't
Joe
be followed by
was
, not
were
, given that
Joe
is singular? But Joe isn't actually here, so we say
were
, not
was
. The sentence demonstrates the
subjunctive mood
, which is used to express things that are hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or factually contradictory. The subjunctive mood pairs singular subjects with what we usually think of as plural verbs.
Joe
be followed by
was
, not
were
, given that
Joe
is singular? But Joe isn't actually here, so we say
were
, not
was
. The sentence demonstrates the
subjunctive mood
, which is used to express things that are hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or factually contradictory. The subjunctive mood pairs singular subjects with what we usually think of as plural verbs.
| Examples : | I wish it were Friday . |
| She requested that he raise his hand . |
In the first example, a wishful statement, not a fact, is being expressed; therefore,
were
, which we usually think of as a plural verb, is used with the singular subject
I
.
Normally,
he raise
would sound terrible to us. However, in the second example, where a request is being expressed, the subjunctive mood is correct.
Note
: The subjunctive mood is losing ground in spoken English but should still be used in formal speech and writing.
Definitions
- A
clause
is a group of words containing a subject and verb. An
independent clause
is a simple sentence. It can stand on its own.
| Examples : | She is hungry . |
| I am feeling well today . |
- A
dependent clause
cannot stand on its own. It needs an independent clause to complete a sentence. Dependent clauses often begin with such words as
although, since, if, when
, and
because
.
| Examples : | Although she is hungry . . . |
| Whoever is hungry . . . | |
| Because I am feeling well . . . |
| Dependent | Independent |
| Although she is hungry, | she will give him some of her food. |
| Whatever they decide, | I will agree to. |
- A
phrase
is a group of words without a subject-verb component, used as a single part of speech.
| Examples : | Best friend (noun phrase) |
| Needing help (adjective phrase; see the “Adjectives and Adverbs” section later in this chapter) | |
| With the blue shirt (prepositional adjective phrase; see the “Prepositions” section later in this chapter) | |
| For twenty days (prepositional adverb phrase) |
Definition
- A
pronoun
(
I
,
me
,
he
,
she
,
herself
,
you
,
it
,
that
,
they
,
each
,
few
,
many
,
who
,
whoever
,
whose
,
someone
,
everybody
, etc.) is a word that takes the place of a noun. In the sentence
Joe saw Jill, and he waved at her,
the pronouns
he
and
her
take the place of
Joe
and
Jill
, respectively. There are three types of pronouns:
subject
(for example,
he
);
object
(
him
); or
possessive
(
his
).
Rule 1
. Subject pronouns are used when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence. You can remember subject pronouns easily by filling in the blank subject space for a simple sentence.
. Subject pronouns are used when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence. You can remember subject pronouns easily by filling in the blank subject space for a simple sentence.
| Example : | ___ did the job . |
I, he, she, we
,
they
,
who
,
whoever
, etc., all qualify and are, therefore, subject pronouns.
,
they
,
who
,
whoever
, etc., all qualify and are, therefore, subject pronouns.
Rule 2
. Subject pronouns are also used if they rename the subject. They will follow
to be
verbs, such as
is, are, was, were, am, will be, had been
, etc.
. Subject pronouns are also used if they rename the subject. They will follow
to be
verbs, such as
is, are, was, were, am, will be, had been
, etc.
| Examples : | It is he . |
| This is she speaking . | |
| It is we who are responsible for the decision to downsize . |
Note
In informal English, most people tend to follow
to be
verbs with object pronouns like
me
,
her
,
them
. Many English scholars tolerate this distinction between formal and casual English.
to be
verbs with object pronouns like
me
,
her
,
them
. Many English scholars tolerate this distinction between formal and casual English.
| Example : | It could have been them . |
| Technically correct : | It could have been they . |
| Example : | It is just me at the door . |
| Technically correct : | It is just I at the door . |
Rule 3
. This rule surprises even language watchers: when
who
refers to a personal pronoun (
I, you, he, she, we, they
), it takes the verb that agrees with that pronoun.
. This rule surprises even language watchers: when
who
refers to a personal pronoun (
I, you, he, she, we, they
), it takes the verb that agrees with that pronoun.
| Correct : | It is I who am sorry . ( I am ) |
| Incorrect : | It is I who is sorry . |
| Correct : | It is you who are mistaken . ( you are ) |
| Incorrect : | It is you who's mistaken . |
Rule 4
. Object pronouns are used everywhere else beyond Rules 1 and 2 (
direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition
). Object pronouns include
me, him, herself, us, them, themselves
, etc.
. Object pronouns are used everywhere else beyond Rules 1 and 2 (
direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition
). Object pronouns include
me, him, herself, us, them, themselves
, etc.
| Examples : | Jean saw him . |
| Him is the direct object. | |
| Give her the book . | |
| Her is the indirect object. The direct object is book . | |
| Are you talking to me ? | |
| Me is the object of the preposition to . |
Rule 5
. The pronouns
who, that
, and
which
become singular or plural depending on the subject. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
. The pronouns
who, that
, and
which
become singular or plural depending on the subject. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
| Example : | He is the only one of those men who is always on time . |
| The word who refers to one . Therefore, use the singular verb is . |
Sometimes we must look more closely to find a verb's true subject:
| Example : | He is one of those men who are always on time . |
| The word who refers to men . Therefore, use the plural verb are . |
In sentences like this last example, many would mistakenly insist that
one
is the subject, requiring
is
always on time
. But look at it this way:
Of those men who
are
always on time, he is one
.
one
is the subject, requiring
is
always on time
. But look at it this way:
Of those men who
are
always on time, he is one
.
Rule 6
. Pronouns that are singular (
I, he, she, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, someone, somebody, each, either, neither
, etc.) require singular verbs. This rule is frequently overlooked when using the pronouns
each, either
, and
neither
, followed by
of
. Those three pronouns always take singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows
of
.
. Pronouns that are singular (
I, he, she, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, someone, somebody, each, either, neither
, etc.) require singular verbs. This rule is frequently overlooked when using the pronouns
each, either
, and
neither
, followed by
of
. Those three pronouns always take singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows
of
.
| Examples : | Each of the girls sings well . |
| Either of us is capable of doing the job . | |
| Neither of them is available to speak right now . |
Exception
: When
each
follows a noun or pronoun in certain sentences, even experienced writers sometimes get tripped up:
: When
each
follows a noun or pronoun in certain sentences, even experienced writers sometimes get tripped up:
| Incorrect : | The women each gave her approval . |
| Correct : | The women each gave their approval . |
| Incorrect : | The words are and there each ends with a silent vowel . |
| Correct : | The words are and there each end with a silent vowel . |
These examples do not contradict Rule 6, because
each
is not the subject, but rather an
adjunct
describing the true subject.
each
is not the subject, but rather an
adjunct
describing the true subject.
Rule 7
. To decide whether to use the subject or object pronoun after the words
than
or
as
, mentally complete the sentence.
. To decide whether to use the subject or object pronoun after the words
than
or
as
, mentally complete the sentence.
| Examples : | Tranh is as smart as she/her . |
| If we mentally complete the sentence, we would say Tranh is as smart as she is . Therefore, she is the correct answer. | |
| Zoe is taller than I/me . | |
| Mentally completing the sentence, we have Zoe is taller than I am . | |
| Daniel would rather talk to her than I/me . | |
| We can interpret this sentence in two ways: Daniel would rather talk to her than to me . OR Daniel would rather talk to her than I would . A sentence's meaning can change considerably, depending on the pronoun you choose. |
Rule 8
. The possessive pronouns
yours
,
his, hers
,
its
,
ours, theirs
, and
whose
never need apostrophes. Avoid mistakes like
her's
and
your's
.
. The possessive pronouns
yours
,
his, hers
,
its
,
ours, theirs
, and
whose
never need apostrophes. Avoid mistakes like
her's
and
your's
.
Rule 9
. The only time
it's
has an apostrophe is when it is a contraction for
it is
or
it has
. The only time
who's
has an apostrophe is when it means
who is
or
who has
. There is no apostrophe in
oneself
. Avoid “one's self,” a common error.
. The only time
it's
has an apostrophe is when it is a contraction for
it is
or
it has
. The only time
who's
has an apostrophe is when it means
who is
or
who has
. There is no apostrophe in
oneself
. Avoid “one's self,” a common error.
| Examples : | It's been a cold morning . |
| The thermometer reached its highest reading . | |
| He's the one who's always on time . | |
| He's the one whose wife is always on time . | |
| Keeping oneself ready is important . |
Rule 10
. Pronouns that end in -
self
or -
selves
are called
reflexive pronouns
. There are nine reflexive pronouns:
myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, oneself, ourselves, yourselves
, and
themselves
.
. Pronouns that end in -
self
or -
selves
are called
reflexive pronouns
. There are nine reflexive pronouns:
myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, oneself, ourselves, yourselves
, and
themselves
.
Reflexive pronouns are used when both the subject and the object of a verb are the same person or thing.
| Example : | Joe helped himself . |
If the object of a preposition refers to a previous noun or pronoun, use a reflexive pronoun:
| Example : | Joe bought it for himself . |
Reflexive pronouns help avoid confusion and nonsense. Without them, we might be stuck with sentences like
Joe helped Joe
.
Joe helped Joe
.
| Correct : | I worked myself to the bone . |
| The object myself is the same person as the subject I , performing the act of working. | |
| Incorrect : | My brother and myself did it . |
| Correct : | My brother and I did it . |
| Don't use myself unless the pronoun I or me precedes it in the sentence. | |
| Incorrect : | Please give it to John or myself . |
| Correct : | Please give it to John or me . |
| Correct : | You saw me being myself . |
| Myself refers back to me in the act of being. |
A sentence like
Help yourself
looks like an exception to the rule until we realize it's shorthand for
You
may help yourself
.
Help yourself
looks like an exception to the rule until we realize it's shorthand for
You
may help yourself
.
In certain cases, a reflexive pronoun may come first.
| Example : | Doubting himself, the man proceeded cautiously . |
Reflexive pronouns are also used for emphasis.
| Example : | He himself finished the whole job . |
Rule 11a
. Avoid
they
and
their
with singular pronouns.
. Avoid
they
and
their
with singular pronouns.
| Incorrect : | Someone brought their lunch . |
| Correct : | Someone brought her lunch . |
| OR | |
| Someone brought his lunch . |
If the gender is undetermined, you could say
Someone brought
his or her
lunch
(more on this option in Rule 11b).
Someone brought
his or her
lunch
(more on this option in Rule 11b).
Rule 11b
. Singular pronouns must stay singular throughout the sentence.
. Singular pronouns must stay singular throughout the sentence.
| Incorrect : | Someone has to do itâand they have to do it well . |
The problem is that
someone
is singular, but
they
is plural. If we change
they
to
he or she
, we get a rather clumsy sentence, even if it is technically correct.
someone
is singular, but
they
is plural. If we change
they
to
he or she
, we get a rather clumsy sentence, even if it is technically correct.
| Technically correct : | Someone has to do itâand he or she has to do it well . |
Replacing an ungrammatical sentence with a poorly written correction is a bad bargain. The better option is to rewrite.
| Rewritten : | Someone has to do itâand has to do it well . |
Many writers abhor the
he or she
solution. Following are more examples of why rewriting is a better idea than using
he or she
or
him or her
to make sentences grammatical.
he or she
solution. Following are more examples of why rewriting is a better idea than using
he or she
or
him or her
to make sentences grammatical.
| Incorrect : | No one realizes when their time is up . |
| Correct but awkward : | No one realizes when his or her time is up . |
| Rewritten : | None realize when their time is up . |
| Incorrect : | If you see anyone on the trail, tell them to be careful . |
| Correct but awkward : | If you see anyone on the trail, tell him or her to be careful . |
| Rewritten : | Tell anyone you see on the trail to be careful . |
Rule 12
. When a pronoun is linked with a noun by
and
, mentally remove the
and
+ noun phrase to avoid trouble.
. When a pronoun is linked with a noun by
and
, mentally remove the
and
+ noun phrase to avoid trouble.
| Incorrect : | Her and her friend came over . |
| If we remove and her friend , we're left with the ungrammatical Her came over . | |
| Correct : | She and her friend came over . |
| Incorrect : | I invited he and his wife . |
| If we remove and his wife , we're left with the ungrammatical I invited he . | |
| Correct : | I invited him and his wife . |
| Incorrect : | Bill asked my sister and I . |
| If we remove my sister and , we're left with the ungrammatical Bill asked I . | |
| Correct : | Bill asked my sister and me . |
Note
Do not combine a subject pronoun and an object pronoun in phrases like
her and I
or
he and me
. Whenever
and
or
or
links an object pronoun (
her, me
) and a subject pronoun (
he, I
), one of those pronouns will always be wrong.
her and I
or
he and me
. Whenever
and
or
or
links an object pronoun (
her, me
) and a subject pronoun (
he, I
), one of those pronouns will always be wrong.
| Incorrect : | Her and I went home . |
| Correct : | She and I went home . (She went and I went.) |
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