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How to Fix Subject-Verb Agreement Errors: Stop Losing Points on Your Writing |
📝 Did you know? Grammar mistakes appear in 74% of emails sent in the workplace, costing businesses billions in lost credibility annually.
Discover the 6 most common subject-verb agreement errors that sabotage your writing—and learn how to fix them permanently.
Introduction: Why Subject-Verb Agreement Matters
Subject-verb agreement is one of the most fundamental rules in English grammar, yet it's also one of the most frequently violated. Whether you're writing an email to your boss, crafting an academic essay, or posting on social media, getting this right instantly elevates your credibility.
Many writers—even native English speakers—struggle with subject-verb agreement errors because the rules can feel confusing when sentences become complex. A simple subject might hide behind prepositional phrases, or an indefinite pronoun might be disguised as plural. Before you know it, your verb is agreeing with the wrong word.
The good news? These errors are entirely fixable. This comprehensive guide walks you through every common mistake, shows you exactly how to spot them, and teaches you proven strategies to eliminate them from your writing forever.
Ready to master grammar? Keep reading to discover the exact techniques that will transform you into a confident, error-free writer.
What Is Subject-Verb Agreement? The Foundation You Need
Understanding the Basics
At its core, subject-verb agreement is simple: the subject of a sentence (the noun or pronoun performing the action) must agree in number with the verb (the action word). This means:
- Singular Subject + Singular Verb = Correct Agreement
- Plural Subject + Plural Verb = Correct Agreement
✓ Correct: "The dog barks at the mailman." (singular subject, singular verb)
✓ Correct: "The dogs bark at the mailman." (plural subject, plural verb)
✗ Incorrect: "The dog bark at the mailman." (mismatch)
Why This Matters for Your Writing
- Professional Impact: Errors damage your credibility in job applications, business emails, and client communications
- Academic Success: Subject-verb agreement is tested on SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and IELTS exams
- Reader Experience: Correct grammar improves readability and comprehension
- Content Ranking: Google's algorithm favors grammatically correct content in search rankings
The 6 Most Common Subject-Verb Agreement Errors (With Real Examples)
Error #1: Prepositional Phrases Separating Subject and Verb
This is the #1 most common mistake. Writers accidentally match the verb with the noun inside a prepositional phrase instead of matching it with the true subject. Phrases starting with "of," "in," "on," "at," "by," or "with" are culprits.
✗ Incorrect: "One of my friends like to cook Italian food."
✓ Correct: "One of my friends likes to cook Italian food."
Why: "One" (singular) is the subject, not "friends" (plural)
✗ Incorrect: "The stack of papers are on my desk."
✓ Correct: "The stack of papers is on my desk."
Why: "Stack" (singular) is the subject, not "papers"
How to Fix It: Cross out the prepositional phrase and find your true subject. Replace it with "it" or "they" to test agreement.
Error #2: Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
Indefinite pronouns like everyone, anybody, something, each, neither, and nobody always take singular verbs—even though they often refer to groups of people. This trips up most writers.
✗ Incorrect: "Everyone have to take a health class."
✓ Correct: "Everyone has to take a health class."
Why: "Everyone" is singular, requiring a singular verb
✗ Incorrect: "Each of the students were responsible for the project."
✓ Correct: "Each of the students was responsible for the project."
Why: "Each" is singular, even though it refers to multiple students
How to Fix It: Memorize indefinite pronouns as always singular. Test by replacing with "he" or "she." Never use "they" as a replacement—this is a frequent error.
Error #3: Nouns Ending in 'S' That Are Actually Singular
English uses 's' to create plurals, so words ending in 's' often look plural but are actually singular. Subjects like mathematics, physics, economics, athletics, news, and statistics require singular verbs.
✗ Incorrect: "Mathematics prepare students for many careers."
✓ Correct: "Mathematics prepares students for many careers."
Why: "Mathematics" is a singular subject of study
✗ Incorrect: "The news seem concerning today."
✓ Correct: "The news seems concerning today."
Why: "News" is singular, referring to information as a whole
How to Fix It: When you see an 's' ending, don't automatically assume it's plural. Check whether the word refers to a single concept or field of study.
Error #4: Subjects Connected with 'And'
When two subjects are joined by "and," they always form a compound (plural) subject requiring a plural verb. This rule is straightforward but frequently broken.
✗ Incorrect: "The teacher and the students goes to the assembly."
✓ Correct: "The teacher and the students go to the assembly."
Why: "Teacher and students" = multiple entities = plural verb
✗ Incorrect: "Sarah and her brother does homework together."
✓ Correct: "Sarah and her brother do homework together."
Why: Two people = plural subject = plural verb
Exception: If both subjects refer to one single person or thing, use a singular verb: "The president and CEO is arriving tomorrow." (one person holds both titles)
Error #5: Either/Or and Neither/Nor Constructions
With "either...or" and "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. This proximity rule catches many writers off guard.
✗ Incorrect: "Neither Sam nor his friends wants to miss graduation."
✓ Correct: "Neither Sam nor his friends want to miss graduation."
Why: "Friends" (plural) is closest to the verb
✗ Incorrect: "Either the cats or the dog are going outside."
✓ Correct: "Either the cats or the dog is going outside."
Why: "Dog" (singular) is closest to the verb
How to Fix It: Identify which subject sits closest to the verb and match your verb to that subject's number.
Error #6: Inverted Subject-Verb Agreement (There Is/Here Are)
Sentences starting with "There is," "There are," "Here is," or "Here are" have inverted word order. Writers mistakenly match the verb to "there" or "here" instead of the actual subject. This error dominates everyday speech.
✗ Incorrect: "Here's the books you ordered."
✓ Correct: "Here are the books you ordered."
Why: "Books" (plural) = plural verb "are"
✗ Incorrect: "There's several people waiting outside."
✓ Correct: "There are several people waiting outside."
Why: "People" (plural) = plural verb "are"
How to Fix It: Ignore "there" and "here" completely. Find the real subject that follows these words and match your verb to it. Say the sentence backwards to verify: "The books are here" (correct) vs. "The books is here" (wrong).
| Error Type | Incorrect | Correct | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepositional Phrases | "One of the dogs run" | "One of the dogs runs" | Subject is "one" (singular), not "dogs" |
| Indefinite Pronouns | "Everyone are here" | "Everyone is here" | Indefinite pronouns always singular |
| Singular-S Nouns | "Physics are fun" | "Physics is fun" | Fields of study are singular |
| Compound Subjects | "Tom and Jane goes" | "Tom and Jane go" | "And" connects = plural verb |
| Either/Or | "Either cats or dog are" | "Either cats or dog is" | Agree with closest subject |
| Inverted Order | "There's many people" | "There are many people" | Match verb to real subject, not "there" |
5 Proven Strategies to Catch and Fix Agreement Errors
Strategy #1: The Isolation Method
Strip your sentence down to its bare essentials. Cross out all prepositional phrases, descriptive clauses, and extra information. What remains is your core subject and verb—the only parts that matter for agreement.
Strategy #2: The Pronoun Replacement Test
Replace your subject with the pronoun "it" (singular) or "they" (plural). If "it" works, use a singular verb. If "they" works, use a plural verb. This simple swap reveals the correct form.
Example: "The group of scientists ___ working on the project."
Replace: "It is working..." OR "They are working..."?
"It" works, so: "The group of scientists is working on the project." ✓
Strategy #3: Read Aloud for Rhythm
Your ear often catches errors your eyes miss. Read sentences aloud and listen for what sounds natural. If something feels "off," stop and examine the subject-verb agreement.
- Natural sound = likely correct
- Awkward sound = likely incorrect
Strategy #4: The Reverse Reading Method
Read your work backwards, sentence by sentence. This prevents your brain from auto-correcting as you read and makes errors more visible.
Strategy #5: Use Editing Tools Smartly
Grammar checkers like Grammarly and Microsoft Word catch many agreement errors automatically. However, don't rely on them entirely—always do a manual review for complex sentences.
Subject-Verb Agreement by Sentence Type
Collective Nouns (Team, Committee, Crew, Audience)
Collective nouns refer to groups treated as single units. In American English, use singular verbs. In British English, plural verbs are often acceptable.
✓ American English: "The team is preparing for the championship."
✓ British English: "The team are preparing for the championship."
Uncountable (Mass) Nouns (Water, Money, Information)
Uncountable nouns always use singular verbs because they refer to things that cannot be counted individually.
✓ Correct: "Time flies when you're having fun."
✓ Correct: "Water is essential for life."
✓ Correct: "The furniture looks expensive."
Subjects with Quantity Words (Half, Most, All)
When "half of," "most of," or "all of" precedes a noun, match the verb to the quantity word, not to the noun that follows.
| Quantity Phrase | Example Sentence | Verb Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| Half of the students | "Half of the students are absent." | Plural (more than one) |
| Most of the pizza | "Most of the pizza is eaten." | Singular (uncountable) |
| All of the books | "All of the books are shelved." | Plural (countable) |
| Some of the work | "Some of the work is finished." | Singular (uncountable) |
Practice Exercises: Test Your Skills
Identify and correct the subject-verb agreement error in each sentence. The answers appear below.
- "The number of students in each class vary significantly."
- "Trang, Eric, and Carlos enjoys reading essays."
- "There is many reasons to learn grammar."
- "Everyone on the team are excited about winning."
- "Neither the teacher nor the students was ready for the quiz."
- "Here's the documents you requested earlier."
- "Economics help governments make better decisions."
- "The collection of paintings are worth millions."
🎁 Free Download: Level Up Your Grammar Skills
Still struggling with subject-verb agreement? You're not alone! Thousands of writers face these exact challenges, especially under pressure during exams or tight deadlines.
📚 Introducing: "Spot the Error! The Ultimate Guide to Subject-Verb Agreement for Exam Success"
What's Inside Your FREE eBook:
- Complete breakdown of all 6 common errors with 50+ real examples
- Step-by-step practice exercises with detailed answer keys
- Section-by-section strategies for different sentence types
- Quick reference cheat sheet for emergency editing
- Real exam questions (SAT, ACT, GRE, IELTS) with explanations
- Advanced tips for mastering agreement in complex sentences
- Common mistakes in academic and professional writing
- Bonus: Email templates showing correct agreement in business writing
Who Should Download This eBook?
- Students preparing for standardized tests (SAT, ACT, GRE, IELTS)
- Non-native English speakers improving their grammar
- Professionals polishing their writing skills
- Teachers and tutors seeking teaching resources
- Content creators wanting error-free writing
This eBook Will Help You:
- Identify agreement errors instantly
- Edit your writing like a professional
- Build confidence in your grammar skills
- Improve grades on writing assignments
- Enhance professional communications
✓ No credit card required | ✓ Instant download | ✓ 100% free | ✓ Includes practice exercises
Bonus: Join our email community to receive weekly grammar tips, writing hacks, and exclusive discounts on advanced grammar courses. Subscribers get first access to new resources!
Why Fixing These Errors Transforms Your Writing
Advanced Tips for Complex Sentence Structures
Dealing with Relative Clauses
When a relative clause (introduced by "who," "which," or "that") follows a subject, the verb inside the clause must agree with its own subject within the clause—not with the main sentence's subject.
Example: "The manager who supervises three departments is retiring." (who = subject of clause, is = verb for manager)
Sentences with Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions (both...and, not only...but also) require the verb to agree with the closest subject in American English.
✓ Correct: "Not only the students but also the teacher was surprised."
Why: "Teacher" (singular) is closest to the verb
Quick Decision Flowchart: Choosing the Right Verb
Editing Checklist: Common Mistakes to Catch
Use this checklist when proofreading your writing:
- ☐ Remove prepositional phrases to verify subject-verb agreement
- ☐ Check every indefinite pronoun (everyone, somebody, nobody, etc.) for singular verbs
- ☐ Verify compound subjects connected by "and" use plural verbs
- ☐ Confirm "either...or" and "neither...nor" constructions agree with the nearest subject
- ☐ Look for sentences starting with "There is" or "Here's" and verify the verb matches the actual subject
- ☐ Test questionable sentences by replacing the subject with "it" or "they"
- ☐ Read the final version aloud to catch awkward-sounding agreement
- ☐ Use grammar checking tools as a second pass, not first pass
| Common First Draft | Corrected Version | The Fix Applied |
|---|---|---|
| "The team of players have arrived." | "The team of players has arrived." | Team (singular) requires singular verb |
| "Everybody want success." | "Everybody wants success." | Indefinite pronoun requires singular verb |
| "Either cats or a dog were in the yard." | "Either cats or a dog was in the yard." | Dog (singular, closest subject) requires singular verb |
| "Politics are complicated." | "Politics is complicated." | Field of study is singular |
| "There's many ways to learn." | "There are many ways to learn." | Ways (plural) requires plural verb |
Conclusion: Your Path to Error-Free Writing
Subject-verb agreement isn't mysterious or impossible to master. You've now learned the 6 most common errors, discovered why they happen, and acquired proven strategies to eliminate them. The path forward is simple: practice, awareness, and strategic editing.
Start by identifying which error type trips you up most frequently. Is it prepositional phrases? Indefinite pronouns? Inverted sentences? Once you know your personal weak spot, focus your editing efforts there. Within weeks, you'll notice these errors vanishing from your writing permanently.
Remember: professional writing, academic success, and personal credibility depend on grammar accuracy. Every sentence you write correctly reinforces your expertise and builds reader trust. The investment in mastering these rules pays dividends in every area of your life.
Take action today: Download our free eBook "Spot the Error! The Ultimate Guide to Subject-Verb Agreement for Exam Success" and access 50+ practice exercises, real exam questions, and a quick reference cheat sheet. Your future self will thank you.
Bonus: Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly grammar tips, writing hacks, and exclusive resources. Subscribers get first access to new guides and special discounts on all courses.
📖 Looking for Additional Reading?
❓ Subject-Verb Agreement: 6 Essential FAQs
Get instant answers to the most common questions about fixing agreement errors in your writing
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammar rule stating that the subject of a sentence must match the verb in number (singular or plural). When they match, your sentence is grammatically correct. When they don't, your writing appears careless or unprofessional.
Why It Matters:
- Professional Impact: 86% of hiring managers say grammar errors hurt candidate chances. One agreement error in a cover letter or resume can cost you the job.
- Academic Success: Subject-verb agreement is tested on SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and IELTS exams. Missing these questions costs you points directly.
- Reader Trust: Studies show 1 in 3 readers leave websites with poor grammar. Correct agreement builds credibility instantly.
- Clarity: Matching verbs to subjects eliminates confusion and improves readability for all audiences.
Hiring manager sees: "The team of developers is working on new features." (Correct = Professional impression)
vs. "The team of developers are working on new features." (Incorrect = Less credible)
💡 Quick Tip: If you can replace your subject with "it" (singular) or "they" (plural), test your verb agreement using that pronoun. This simple trick catches 80% of errors.
The #1 most common error is prepositional phrases separating the subject and verb. Writers accidentally match the verb with the noun inside the phrase instead of matching it with the true subject.
The Problem:
Prepositional phrases (phrases starting with "of," "in," "on," "at," "by," "with") contain nouns that distract you from the real subject. Your brain matches the verb to the closest noun, which is wrong.
✗ Incorrect: "One of my friends like to cook." (Matches "friends," plural)
✓ Correct: "One of my friends likes to cook." (Matches "one," singular)
✗ Incorrect: "The stack of papers are on my desk."
✓ Correct: "The stack of papers is on my desk."
How to Fix It (3 Steps):
- Cross out the prepositional phrase mentally or physically. Example: "The stack ~~of papers~~ is on my desk."
- Find your true subject in what remains. Here it's "stack" (singular).
- Match your verb to that subject: "Stack" + singular verb "is" = Correct
| Sentence with Phrase | Without Phrase | Correct Verb |
|---|---|---|
| "The number of students..." | "The number..." | "is" (singular) |
| "A collection of paintings..." | "A collection..." | "is" (singular) |
| "The group of runners..." | "The group..." | "is" (singular) |
🎯 Pro Strategy: When editing, highlight all prepositional phrases first. This visual trick makes it easier to identify your true subject.
Indefinite pronouns like everyone, anybody, something, each, neither, nobody, somebody, everything are treated as singular in English grammar, even though they often refer to multiple people or things. This confuses many writers because it feels wrong.
Why This Rule Exists:
Indefinite pronouns are grammatically singular because they refer to "one unspecified thing" or "one member of a group." Even if "everyone" means "all people," it's treated as a single unit requiring a singular verb.
✗ Incorrect: "Everyone have their own opinion."
✓ Correct: "Everyone has their own opinion."
✗ Incorrect: "Somebody were at the door."
✓ Correct: "Somebody was at the door."
✗ Incorrect: "Each of the students were prepared."
✓ Correct: "Each of the students was prepared."
Complete List of Indefinite Pronouns (All Singular):
- Singular indefinite pronouns: anyone, anybody, anything, each, either, everyone, everybody, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone, something
⚠️ Common Mistake: Avoid using "they" as a replacement for indefinite pronouns. "Everyone has their own opinion" is modern usage but technically incorrect. Use "his or her" in formal writing: "Everyone has his or her own opinion."
Quick Test Method:
Replace the indefinite pronoun with "he" or "she" (singular). If "he/she" works, use a singular verb:
- "He has..." ✓ so "Everyone has..." ✓
- "She was..." ✓ so "Nobody was..." ✓
💡 Memory Aid: Create a cheat sheet of indefinite pronouns and post it at your desk. After 2 weeks of reference, you'll memorize them automatically.
The rule for "either...or" and "neither...nor" constructions is that the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. This proximity rule surprises many writers, but it's the standard in English grammar.
The Proximity Rule Explained:
When two subjects are connected by "either...or" or "neither...nor," look at which subject sits closest to the verb. The verb agrees with that nearest subject.
✗ Incorrect: "Either the cats or the dog are going outside."
✓ Correct: "Either the cats or the dog is going outside." (Dog is closest, singular)
✗ Incorrect: "Either the dog or the cats is going outside."
✓ Correct: "Either the dog or the cats are going outside." (Cats is closest, plural)
✗ Incorrect: "Neither Sam nor his friends wants to leave."
✓ Correct: "Neither Sam nor his friends want to leave." (Friends is closest, plural)
✗ Incorrect: "Neither the teachers nor the principal are available."
✓ Correct: "Neither the teachers nor the principal is available." (Principal is closest, singular)
Practical Strategy:
- Identify the two subjects in the "either/or" or "neither/nor" phrase
- Determine which subject is closest to the verb
- Check if that closest subject is singular or plural
- Match your verb to that closest subject's number
Pro Editing Tip:
If a sentence sounds awkward with the proximity rule, you can reorder the subjects to put the plural subject closer to the verb. Example: Instead of "Either the dog or the cats are going," say "Either the cats or the dog is going" (feels more natural to many speakers).
💡 Helpful Hint: You'll rarely write "either...or" or "neither...nor" sentences in casual writing. These structures appear mainly in formal academic and business writing, so master them for important documents.
Sentences starting with "There is," "There are," "Here is," or "Here are" have inverted word order where the subject comes after the verb. This inversion causes agreement confusion because writers instinctively match the verb to "there" or "here"—but these words are NOT the subject.
Understanding Inverted Word Order:
In these constructions, "there" and "here" are expletives—words that have no grammatical function. The real subject comes after the verb. You must ignore "there" and "here" and match your verb to the true subject.
✗ Incorrect: "There's the books you ordered." (There + singular verb + plural noun)
✓ Correct: "There are the books you ordered." (Books = plural, needs plural verb)
✗ Incorrect: "Here's several people waiting." (Here + singular verb + plural noun)
✓ Correct: "Here are several people waiting." (People = plural, needs plural verb)
✓ Correct: "There is a pen on the table." (Pen = singular, singular verb)
How to Fix These Errors (3-Step Method):
- Find the real subject by looking past "there" or "here." In "There are books," the real subject is "books."
- Check if it's singular or plural. Books = plural
- Match your verb to that subject. Plural subject = plural verb "are"
The Reversal Test (Best Verification Method):
Flip your sentence backwards to check agreement. If it sounds correct reversed, your original is correct:
- "There are books here" → Reversed: "Books are here" ✓ (Sounds correct)
- "There's many people" → Reversed: "Many people is there" ✗ (Sounds wrong, so original is wrong)
⚠️ Extra Caution: In casual speech, "There's" followed by a plural noun is increasingly common ("There's people outside"). However, in formal writing, academic papers, and professional communications, always use "There are" with plural nouns.
📌 Edit Pro Tip: When proofreading, highlight every sentence starting with "There" or "Here." Check each one separately using the reversal test to catch errors.
Multiple strategies work together to catch agreement errors. No single method is perfect, so combining several approaches gives you the best results. Here's what works and what doesn't:
Best Tools for Catching Errors:
| Tool/Strategy | What It Catches | Limitations | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammarly | Most common errors automatically | Misses complex prepositional phrase errors | First-pass editing |
| Microsoft Word | Obvious errors; limited accuracy | Frequently misidentifies errors | Quick check only |
| Manual Review (Isolation Method) | All types of errors if done carefully | Time-consuming; requires knowledge | Important documents |
| Reading Aloud | Catches awkward-sounding verbs | Misses errors that sound acceptable in dialect | Final review |
| Peer Review | Fresh perspective catches what you miss | Requires someone knowledgeable | Academic & professional writing |
The Complete Editing Workflow (Recommended):
- First Draft Complete: Write without worrying about grammar. Focus on content and ideas.
- Run Grammarly/Word Check: Use software as your first filter (catches 60-70% of errors).
- Manual Isolation Method: Go paragraph-by-paragraph. For each sentence with a verb, cross out prepositional phrases and verify subject-verb match.
- Read Aloud: Listen for awkward-sounding constructions. If it feels wrong, investigate.
- Focus Review: Re-read specifically looking for the 6 common error types (prepositional phrases, indefinite pronouns, singular-s nouns, and/or, either/or, inverted order).
- Peer Review (Optional): For important documents, have someone else read for grammar errors.
Strategies That Work Best by Error Type:
- Prepositional Phrases: Isolation Method (cross out the phrase)
- Indefinite Pronouns: Replace with "he/she" test
- Singular-S Nouns: Check dictionary; these require memorization
- Compound Subjects: Identify "and" connector; use plural verb
- Either/Or: Identify closest subject to verb
- Inverted Order: Use reversal test (flip the sentence)
⏱️ Time-Saving Hack: When you're short on time, focus on the 6 common error types above. Target these specific patterns instead of reading every word. You'll catch 80% of errors in 20% of the time.
⚠️ Don't Rely Solely on Tools: Grammar checkers are helpful but imperfect. Many agreement errors slip through because software can't understand complex sentence structures. Always do manual review for important writing.
Creating Your Personal Error Log:
Track your own agreement errors in a document. Over time, you'll notice patterns—maybe you always mess up inverted sentences or struggle with indefinite pronouns. Focus your editing efforts on YOUR weak spots.
✓ January: Confused "everyone" with plural | Fixed by: Memorizing indefinite pronouns
✓ February: Mismatched compound subjects | Fixed by: Remembering "and" = plural
✓ March: Inverted sentence errors | Fixed by: Using reversal test
