Subject–Verb Agreement

Concept

A singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb. In the present simple, only he / she / it (and singular nouns) add -s or -es to the verb.

الفاعل المفرد يأخذ فعلاً مفرداً والفاعل الجمع يأخذ فعلاً جمعاً. في المضارع البسيط يضاف s أو es للفعل مع الغائب المفرد فقط.

Rules & forms

• Singular subject + verb + s/es · Plural subject + base verb

  الفاعل المفرد مع الفعل المنتهي بـ s، والجمع مع الفعل المجرد.

  • • He works in Riyadh.
  • • They work in Riyadh.
  • • The teacher explains the rule.

• Ignore words between the subject and the verb (prepositional phrases, relative clauses).

  • • The box of pens is on the desk.
  • • The students in the classroom are ready.
  • • The results of the exam were published.

• a number of + plural noun = plural · the number of + plural noun = singular

  a number of تعني عدداً من وتأخذ فعلاً جمعاً، أما the number of فتأخذ فعلاً مفرداً.

  • • A number of students are absent.
  • • The number of students is rising.

• either / neither / each / every / everyone / somebody take a singular verb.

  • • Neither answer is correct.
  • • Each of the boys has a book.
  • • Everyone knows the rule.

• either ... or / neither ... nor: the verb agrees with the NEAREST subject.

  • • Neither the teacher nor the students are late.
  • • Either the students or the teacher is late.

• Collective nouns (team, family, government, committee) normally take a singular verb.

  • • The team plays every Friday.
  • • The committee has made a decision.

Common mistakes & STEP traps

• ❌ The list of items are long.

  ✅ The list of items is long.

  The subject is list (singular), not items.

• ❌ Each of the students have a book.

  ✅ Each of the students has a book.

  Each is always singular.

• ❌ A number of people is waiting.

  ✅ A number of people are waiting.

  a number of = several → plural verb.

• ❌ He don't work here.

  ✅ He doesn't work here.

  He / she / it take doesn't, not don't.