Reading Resources: English Grammar 3 – Subject–Verb
Agreement & Sentence Basics
This blog is part of the English
Grammar Reading Resources series for students and learners. The blog series
covers essential English grammar concepts in a simple, structured, and
practical way. Each reading resource introduces key grammar rules, explains
their usage with clear examples, and provides practice activities to help
learners improve their grammatical accuracy and confidence.
In this third reading, “Subject–Verb
Agreement & Sentence Basics,” learners will understand how subjects and
verbs work together to form grammatically correct sentences. The reading
introduces subjects and predicates, singular and plural subjects, basic
sentence patterns, and the rules of subject–verb agreement, with examples
and practice activities to help students identify and correct common errors.
1. What is a Sentence?
A sentence is a group of words arranged in a
meaningful order to express a complete thought.
Examples
Students study English.
The teacher explained the concept.
My friends are preparing for the examination.
Each sentence communicates a complete idea.
A sentence normally begins with a capital letter and
ends with appropriate punctuation such as a full stop (.), question
mark (?), or exclamation mark (!).
Compare
Students studying English. ❌
This group of words does not express a complete thought.
Students are studying English. ✓
This expresses a complete thought and forms a complete
sentence.
2. The Basic Parts of a Sentence
Most basic English sentences contain two important parts:
Subject + Predicate
The subject tells us who or what the sentence is
about.
The predicate tells us something about the subject
and normally contains the verb.
Example
The students | are preparing for the examination.
Subject: The students
Predicate: are preparing for the examination
Another example:
The new library | opens at 9 a.m.
Subject: The new library
Predicate: opens at 9 a.m.
3. Understanding the Subject
The subject refers to the person, place, thing, or
idea that performs an action or receives a description.
Examples
Ananya reads every evening.
Who reads? → Ananya
The students completed the assignment.
Who completed the assignment? → The students
The computer works properly.
What works properly? → The computer
The subject can be:
- a
noun
- a
pronoun
- a
noun phrase
- two
or more nouns or pronouns
Examples
He studies regularly.
The new student joined the class.
My friends and I attended the seminar.
4. Understanding the Verb
A verb expresses an action, state, or occurrence.
Action Verbs
Common action verbs include:
- read
- write
- study
- speak
- play
- discuss
- prepare
Example:
Students study English.
Common linking or state verbs include:
- am
- is
- are
- was
- were
- seem
- become
Examples:
The students are ready.
The lecture was interesting.
5. Subject–Verb Agreement
Subject–verb agreement means that the subject and
verb must generally agree in number and person.
The basic rule is:
Singular subject → Singular verb
The student reads every day.
Plural subject → Plural verb
The students read every day.
Notice the difference:
The student reads.
The students read.
In the simple present tense, a singular third-person subject
generally takes a verb ending in -s or -es.
6. Singular Subjects
A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or
idea.
Examples:
- the
student
- my
teacher
- the
book
- the
university
- honesty
Examples
The student works hard.
My teacher explains the topic clearly.
The book contains useful information.
Honesty remains an important quality.
7. Plural Subjects
A plural subject refers to more than one person, place,
thing, or idea.
Examples:
- students
- teachers
- books
- universities
- ideas
Examples
Students work hard.
Teachers explain difficult concepts.
These books contain useful information.
New ideas are discussed in the classroom.
8. The Verb "Be"
The verb be changes according to the subject and
tense.
Present Tense
|
Subject |
Verb |
|
I |
am |
|
He / She / It |
is |
|
You / We / They |
are |
Examples
I am ready.
She is a student.
They are prepared.
Past Tense
|
Subject |
Verb |
|
I / He / She / It |
was |
|
You / We / They |
were |
Examples
He was absent.
They were present.
9. Compound Subjects
Two or more subjects can be joined together.
When subjects are connected with and, they generally
take a plural verb.
Aarav and Kabir are classmates.
The teacher and the students are discussing
the topic.
English and communication skills are important for
students.
When two nouns refer to one combined idea or item, a
singular verb can be appropriate.
Bread and butter is my usual breakfast.
10. Subjects Joined by "Or" or "Nor"
When subjects are connected with or or nor,
the verb generally agrees with the subject closest to it.
Examples
Either the teacher or the students are responsible.
Either the students or the teacher is responsible.
Neither the manager nor the employees were available.
Neither the employees nor the manager was available.
11. Words Between the Subject and Verb
Words placed between the subject and verb should not
distract you from identifying the main subject.
Example
The quality of these books is excellent.
The main subject is quality, not books.
Therefore:
The quality is excellent. ✓
Not:
The quality of these books are excellent. ❌
Another example:
The students in my class are hardworking.
The main subject is students, which takes the plural
verb are.
Some indefinite pronouns generally take singular verbs.
Common examples include:
everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, anyone, anybody,
no one, nobody, each, every
Examples
Everyone is ready.
Everybody has a responsibility.
Someone is waiting outside.
Each student has a notebook.
Every participant receives a certificate.
Although words such as everyone and everybody
refer to groups of people, they normally take singular verbs.
Everyone is invited. ✓
Everyone are invited. ❌
13. Each and Every
Each and every are followed by singular nouns
and generally take singular verbs.
Each student has a notebook.
Every student needs regular practice.
Each participant was given a certificate.
Every classroom has a digital screen.
14. Collective Nouns
A collective noun refers to a group considered as a
unit.
Examples include:
- team
- committee
- family
- class
- audience
- group
When the group functions as one unit, a singular verb
commonly follows.
The team is ready.
The committee has approved the proposal.
The class was quiet.
When a sentence begins with there, the noun following
the verb determines whether we use is or are.
Singular
There is a book on the table.
There is an important announcement.
Plural
There are several books on the table.
There are many students in the classroom.
Common Error
There is many students in the classroom. ❌
There are many students in the classroom. ✓
16. Basic Sentence Patterns
Understanding sentence patterns helps learners construct
grammatically correct sentences.
Pattern 1: Subject + Verb
Students study.
Birds fly.
Pattern 2: Subject + Verb + Object
Students read books.
The teacher explains grammar.
Here, books and grammar function as objects.
Pattern 3: Subject + Linking Verb + Complement
She is intelligent.
The lecture was interesting.
Pattern 4: Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct
Object
The teacher gave students an assignment.
Here:
- students
= indirect object
- an
assignment = direct object
17. Sentence Types by Purpose
English sentences can be classified according to their
purpose.
A declarative sentence makes a statement.
The students are preparing for the examination.
An interrogative sentence asks a question.
Are the students preparing for the examination?
An imperative sentence gives a command, instruction, or
request.
Complete the assignment before Friday.
An exclamatory sentence expresses strong emotion.
What an excellent performance!
18. Common Subject–Verb Agreement Errors
Error 1
The student study English. ❌
Correct:
The student studies English. ✓
Error 2
The students studies English. ❌
Correct:
The students study English. ✓
Error 3
Everyone are ready. ❌
Correct:
Everyone is ready. ✓
Error 4
The quality of the books are excellent. ❌
Correct:
The quality of the books is excellent. ✓
Error 5
There is many reasons. ❌
Correct:
There are many reasons. ✓
Reading Practice
A Day in the Classroom
Every student has a different
learning style. Some students prefer reading, while others learn better through
discussion and practical activities. The teacher explains new concepts and
provides examples. A group of students usually works together on projects. Each
student contributes ideas to the discussion. There are several learning
resources available in the classroom, and everyone is encouraged to use them
responsibly.
Task A – Identify
From the passage, identify:
- Five
subjects
- Five
verbs
- Two
singular subjects
- Two
plural subjects
- One
collective noun
- One
indefinite pronoun
- One
example of there are
Task B – Choose the Correct Verb
- The
student (reads / read) every day.
- The
students (reads / read) every day.
- Everyone
(is / are) ready.
- The
teachers (is / are) present.
- Each
student (has / have) a notebook.
- The
quality of the books (is / are) excellent.
- There
(is / are) many students in the classroom.
- The
team (is / are) preparing for the competition.
- My
friends and I (is / are) attending the seminar.
- Either
the teacher or the students (is / are) responsible.
Task C – Correct the Errors
- She
study English every day.
- The
students is preparing for the test.
- Everyone
are invited to the seminar.
- There
is many books in the library.
- The
list of students are on the table.
- Each
participant have a certificate.
- My
brother and sister is studying together.
- The
teacher explain the concept clearly.
Task D – Sentence Construction
Create one sentence using each pattern:
- Subject
+ Verb
- Subject
+ Verb + Object
- Subject
+ Linking Verb + Complement
- Subject
+ Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
Quick Check
Identify whether each sentence is correct or incorrect.
Correct the incorrect sentences.
- The
teacher explains the lesson clearly.
- The
students studies regularly.
- Everyone
is responsible for their work.
- Each
student have a notebook.
- There
are several books on the table.
- The
quality of these products are excellent.
- My
friends and I are ready.
- The
committee has approved the proposal.
Key Takeaways
Remember these basic rules:
- Singular
subject → Singular verb
- Plural
subject → Plural verb
- Each
/ Every / Everyone → generally singular verb
- Subject
+ and + subject → generally plural verb
- There
is → singular
- There
are → plural
- Words
between the subject and verb do not change the agreement rule.
- Always
identify the main subject before selecting the verb.
A strong understanding of
sentence basics and subject–verb agreement provides the foundation for learning
more advanced grammar, including tenses, modals, clauses, and complex
sentence structures.
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