{"id":6476,"date":"2023-03-15T06:00:04","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T11:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/?p=6476"},"modified":"2023-03-13T13:27:26","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T18:27:26","slug":"subject-verb-concord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/singular-vs-plural\/subject-verb-concord\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Subject-Verb Concord?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Subjects and verbs are the principal components of language. Before we can provide descriptive or informative details in a sentence, we must know the actor and the action.<\/p>\n

Subjects and verbs are so fundamental to communication in English that they can form complete thoughts alone.<\/p>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jon runs.<\/p>\n

You walk.<\/p>\n

Jennifer jogs.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

English subjects and verbs also must agree in number. In other words, a singular subject must have a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. This is referred to in grammar as subject-verb concord (also known as subject-verb agreement<\/a>).<\/p>\n

In addition to understanding proper grammar, we recognize that subjects and verbs that do not have concord simply do not sound right in a declarative<\/a> context:<\/p>\n

Jon run.<\/em><\/p>\n

You walks.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jennifer jog.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/h2>\n

Subject-Verb Concord: Nouns<\/h2>\n

Subject-verb concord for nouns and regular verbs in the simple present tense is determined by number alone. In many cases, a singular noun takes a singular verb that ends in -s<\/em>. A plural noun takes a plural verb that drops the -s<\/em> and maintains the infinitive root.<\/p>\n

verb: to eat<\/em><\/p>\n

The cat<\/u> eats<\/u> twice a day. (singular subject and verb)<\/p>\n

The cats<\/u> eat<\/u> twice a day. (plural subject and verb)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

An exception to this formation is the verb to be, <\/em>which uses is <\/em>for the singular and are <\/em>for the plural (thus making to be<\/em> an irregular verb<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The cat<\/u> is<\/u> hungry.<\/em><\/p>\n

The cats<\/u> are<\/u> hungry.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Two singular nouns functioning as a compound subject would form a plural unit that takes a plural verb.<\/p>\n

The cat<\/u> eats<\/u><\/em>.
\nThe cat<\/u> and the dog<\/u> eat<\/u><\/em>.<\/p>\n

The cat<\/u> is<\/u> hungry.<\/em>
\nThe cat<\/u> and the dog<\/u> are<\/u> hungry.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Also note the following about verb changes in maintaining subject-verb concord in the third-person singular:<\/p>\n

1) If the verb ends in\u00a0-x<\/em>, -ss<\/em>, -sh<\/em>, -ch<\/em>, -tch<\/em>, or -zz<\/em>,\u00a0add -es<\/em>\u00a0to the end.<\/p>\n

My son<\/u> passes<\/u> that house on the way to school.<\/em><\/p>\n

The furniture<\/u> matches<\/u> the room colors well.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2) If the verb ends in a\u00a0consonant + -y<\/em>, omit the\u00a0-y<\/em>\u00a0and add –ies<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The country’s royal family<\/u> typically marries<\/u> only other royals.<\/em><\/p>\n

My remote-control plane<\/u> flies<\/u> higher than yours!<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For insight into changes for verbs that are not regular, review our discussion Staying Regular with Irregular Verbs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Subject-Verb Concord: Pronouns<\/h2>\n

Subject-verb concord for pronouns in the simple present tense is determined by person and number. Most verbs keep their infinitive root except in the third-person singular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Person<\/strong><\/td>\nVerb:<\/strong> to eat<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
first<\/td>\nI<\/td>\neat<\/td>\nwe<\/td>\neat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
second<\/td>\nyou<\/td>\neat<\/td>\nyou<\/td>\neat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
third<\/td>\nhe, she, it<\/td>\neats<\/td>\nthey<\/td>\neat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The exception is once again the verb to be<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Person<\/strong><\/td>\nVerb:<\/strong> to be<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
first<\/td>\nI<\/td>\nam<\/td>\nwe<\/td>\nare<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
second<\/td>\nyou<\/td>\nare<\/td>\nyou<\/td>\nare<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
third<\/td>\nhe, she, it<\/td>\nis<\/td>\nthey<\/td>\nare<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Note that regular verbs in the simple past<\/a> and simple future<\/a> do not change form according to the noun, number, or person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Noun<\/strong><\/td>\nPronoun<\/strong><\/td>\nSimple Past<\/strong><\/td>\nSimple Future<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nI<\/td>\nate<\/td>\nwill eat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nyou<\/td>\nate<\/td>\nwill eat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
the cat<\/td>\nhe, she, it<\/td>\nate<\/td>\nwill eat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nwe<\/td>\nate<\/td>\nwill eat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nyou (plural)<\/td>\nate<\/td>\nwill eat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
the cats<\/td>\nthey<\/td>\nate<\/td>\nwill eat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Subject-Verb Concord: Helping Verbs<\/h2>\n

Proper subject-verb concord also applies to certain helping verbs<\/a>, which are referred to as modal or auxiliary verbs<\/a> as well. Helping verbs indicate that another verb is to follow.<\/p>\n

Some examples of these verbs are will<\/em>, shall<\/em>, can<\/em>, may<\/em>, could<\/em>, and would<\/em>. These supporting verbs do not change form regardless of the person or number involved.<\/p>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sharisse<\/u> will<\/u> visit<\/u> her cousin this weekend.
\nThey<\/u> will<\/u> visit<\/u> their cousin this weekend.<\/p>\n

The directors<\/u> can<\/u> assist<\/u> you with that proposal.
\nI<\/u> can<\/u> assist<\/u> you with that proposal.<\/p>\n

We<\/u> should<\/u> follow<\/u> the advice of our doctor.
\nAsher<\/u> should<\/u> follow<\/u> the advice of his doctor.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Three helping verbs do change form in the simple present or simple past tenses depending on person and number: be, do, <\/em>and have.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Verb:<\/strong> be<\/em><\/td>\nSimple Present<\/strong><\/td>\nSimple Past<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I<\/td>\nam<\/td>\nwas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
you<\/td>\nare<\/td>\nwere<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
he, she, it<\/td>\nis<\/td>\nwas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
we, you (pl.), they<\/td>\nare<\/td>\nwere<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Verb: <\/strong>have<\/em><\/td>\nSimple Present<\/strong><\/td>\nVerb: <\/strong>do<\/em><\/td>\nSimple Present<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I<\/td>\nhave<\/td>\nI<\/td>\ndo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
you<\/td>\nhave<\/td>\nyou<\/td>\ndo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
he, she, it<\/td>\nhas<\/td>\nhe, she, it<\/td>\ndoes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
we, you (pl.), they<\/td>\nhave<\/td>\nwe, you (pl.), they<\/td>\ndo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I<\/u> was<\/u> riding<\/u> my bike when the mail arrived.
\nAnna<\/u> and Butch<\/u> were<\/u> riding<\/u> their bikes when the mail arrived.<\/p>\n

We<\/u> do<\/u> believe<\/u> that the budget should be adjusted.
\nThe mayor<\/u> does<\/u> believe<\/u> that the budget should be adjusted.<\/p>\n

I<\/u> have<\/u> been<\/u> to Greece.
\nKristie<\/u> has<\/u> been<\/u> to Greece.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For a further discussion of subject-verb concord, you can also review Subject and Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pop Quiz<\/h2>\n

Determine if each sentence has subject-verb concord. If not, provide the correct verb.<\/p>\n

1. I has traveled in a hot-air balloon. [Yes \/ No]<\/p>\n

2. Mukasa is attracting international attention for his athletic skills. [Yes \/ No]<\/p>\n

3. Donetta and Richard does believe that constellations tell stories. [Yes \/ No]<\/p>\n

4. The pastor pray with the congregation. [Yes \/ No]<\/p>\n

5. Ryan serves in the military. [Yes \/ No]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pop Quiz Answers<\/h3>\n

1. I has traveled in a hot-air balloon. No (have)<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Mukasa is attracting international attention for his athletic skills. Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Donetta and Richard does believe that constellations tell stories. No (do)<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. The pastor pray with the congregation. No (prays)<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. Ryan serves in the military. Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Subjects and verbs are the principal components of language. Before we can provide descriptive or informative details in a sentence, we must know the actor and the action. Subjects and verbs are so fundamental to communication in English that they can form complete thoughts alone. Examples Jon runs. You walk. Jennifer jogs. English subjects and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-singular-vs-plural","category-subject-and-verb-agreement"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6476"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6476"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6481,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6476\/revisions\/6481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}