Subject-verb agreement

 
In this topic, you will learn the correct way to match the singular or plural subject with the verbs. 
 
2.1  Singular Subjects
 
  A singular subject takes a singular verb.  
  Singular subject + Singular verb  
     

 

Examples:
 
The soldier termite has the largest head.
Singular subject Singular verb  
 
Maya buys a magazine.
Singular subject Singular verb  
 
The book is on the table. 
Singular subject Singular verb  
 
Note: There is an addition of '-s' at the end of the verb if the subject is in the singular form. (Eg: eats, drinks, runs, reads)
 
2.2  Plural Subjects
 
  A plural subject takes a plural verb.   
  Plural subject + Plural verb  
     

 

Examples:
 
They meet every weekend.
Plural subject Plural verb  
 
There  are three types  of mangoes there. 
  Plural verb Plural subject  
 
They are at the field the whole day.
Plural subject Plural verb  
 
Note: No '-s' is added at the end of the verb if the subject is in the plural form. (Eg: eat, drink, run, read)
 
2.3  Linking Verbs
 
  Linking verbs  
  Verbs that link the subject to the complement in a sentence.  
     

 

Example:
 
They were at the netball court the whole day. 
Subject They
Linking verb were
Complement at the netball court the whole day. 

 

  Three types of linking verbs  
 
(a)  'be' verb
(b) 'has' and 'have'
(c) action verbs (Eg: take)
 
     

 

The tables below show you the simple present and simple past forms of linking verbs for singular and plural subjects.
 
SUBJECT

It/ He/ She

Maria (Singular)

BE is/was
HAS has/had
DO does/did
VERB takes/took

 

SUBJECT

We/ They

Maria and Malisa (Plural)

BE are/were
HAS have/had
DO do/did
VERB take/took

 

SUBJECT I
BE am/was
HAS have/had
DO do/did
VERB take/took

 

SUBJECT You
BE are/were
HAS have/had
DO do/did
VERB take/took

 

Subject-verb agreement

 
In this topic, you will learn the correct way to match the singular or plural subject with the verbs. 
 
2.1  Singular Subjects
 
  A singular subject takes a singular verb.  
  Singular subject + Singular verb  
     

 

Examples:
 
The soldier termite has the largest head.
Singular subject Singular verb  
 
Maya buys a magazine.
Singular subject Singular verb  
 
The book is on the table. 
Singular subject Singular verb  
 
Note: There is an addition of '-s' at the end of the verb if the subject is in the singular form. (Eg: eats, drinks, runs, reads)
 
2.2  Plural Subjects
 
  A plural subject takes a plural verb.   
  Plural subject + Plural verb  
     

 

Examples:
 
They meet every weekend.
Plural subject Plural verb  
 
There  are three types  of mangoes there. 
  Plural verb Plural subject  
 
They are at the field the whole day.
Plural subject Plural verb  
 
Note: No '-s' is added at the end of the verb if the subject is in the plural form. (Eg: eat, drink, run, read)
 
2.3  Linking Verbs
 
  Linking verbs  
  Verbs that link the subject to the complement in a sentence.  
     

 

Example:
 
They were at the netball court the whole day. 
Subject They
Linking verb were
Complement at the netball court the whole day. 

 

  Three types of linking verbs  
 
(a)  'be' verb
(b) 'has' and 'have'
(c) action verbs (Eg: take)
 
     

 

The tables below show you the simple present and simple past forms of linking verbs for singular and plural subjects.
 
SUBJECT

It/ He/ She

Maria (Singular)

BE is/was
HAS has/had
DO does/did
VERB takes/took

 

SUBJECT

We/ They

Maria and Malisa (Plural)

BE are/were
HAS have/had
DO do/did
VERB take/took

 

SUBJECT I
BE am/was
HAS have/had
DO do/did
VERB take/took

 

SUBJECT You
BE are/were
HAS have/had
DO do/did
VERB take/took