Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is one of the most fundamental rules in English grammar. Let's learn this important concept step by step.
What is a Subject?
A subject is who or what the sentence is about. The subject does the action and is very important in every sentence.
The subject can be a person or a thing, and it comes before the verb.
Example 1: "I eat food."
Here, I is the subject. I am doing the action.
Example 2: "She plays cricket."
Here, she is the subject. She is doing the action.
What is a Verb?
A verb is an action word. A verb can also show a state. Actions are things we do.
Action Verbs:
- eat
- go
- play
State Verbs:
- is
- are
Every sentence needs a verb. Without a verb, the sentence is not complete.
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement means the subject and verb must match. If the subject is one, the verb changes. If the subject is many, the verb changes. We must choose the correct verb.
⭐ Important Rule
This rule is very important. English sentences follow this rule. Let's learn how to do this correctly.
Person in English
There are three persons in English:
First Person (the speaker)
Singular: I → "I like tea."
Plural: we → "We like tea."
Second Person (the listener)
Singular/Plural: you → "You like tea."
(You can be one person or many people)
Third Person (other people/things)
Singular: he → "He likes tea."
Singular: she → "She likes tea."
Singular: it → "It likes milk."
Plural: they → "They like tea."
🔥 Remember this clearly:
He, she, and it take verb + s\es
Positive Sentences
Positive sentences are "yes" sentences. Look at the pattern carefully:
Without 's' (I, you, we, they):
- • I play cricket.
- • You play cricket.
- • We play cricket.
- • They play cricket.
With 's' or 'es' (he, she, it):
- • He plays cricket.
- • She plays cricket.
- • It plays music.
More examples:
- • I work every day. → He works every day.
- • You work every day. → She works every day.
- • They work every day. → It works well.
Negative Sentences
Negative sentences are "no" sentences. We use do not or does not.
With 'do not' (I, you, we, they):
- • I do not like coffee.
- • You do not like coffee.
- • We do not like coffee.
- • They do not like coffee.
With 'does not' (he, she, it):
- • He does not like coffee.
- • She does not like coffee.
- • It does not like noise.
⚠️ Very Important Rule:
After does not, use base verb. Do not add 's' or 'es' after does not.
Say "play," not "plays." Say "like," not "likes."
Questions
Questions start with do or does.
With 'Do' (I, you, we, they):
- • Do you play football?
- • Do they live here?
- • Do we eat rice?
With 'Does' (he, she, it):
- • Does he play football?
- • Does she live here?
- • Does it work well?
💡 Remember:
We use does with he, she, it. After does, use base verb. Say "play," not "plays." Say "work," not "works." This rule is the same as negative sentences.
Common Exceptions & Special Cases
The Verb "Be" is Different
• I am
(NOT "I is")
• You are
• He is
• She is
• It is
• They are
Words That Look Plural But Are Singular
• The news is good. (NOT "are")
• Mathematics is easy. (NOT "are")
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
These words mean one person, so they are singular:
• Everybody likes music.
• Someone wants help.
• Nobody knows the answer.
Quick Recap
- ✓ Subject means who or what
- ✓ Verb means action or state
- ✓ Subject and verb must match
- ✓ He, she, it take verb + s
- ✓ Use do with I, you, we, they
- ✓ Use does with he, she, it
🎯 Practice Tip
Practice every day. Say the sentences aloud. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes. You are doing very well!
Try these practice sentences:
- 1. She ___ play piano.
- 2. They ___ eat rice.
- 3. He ___ work hard.