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Common mistake Grammar

Subject-verb agreement

Subject-verb agreement mistakes and how to fix them

The verb does not match its subject (for example "people is", "he go"). In short: After he, she, it or one thing, the verb takes -s: she works.

This guide is for writers moving from B1 to B2 or from B2 to C1.

The rule for subject-verb agreement

After he, she, it or one thing, the verb takes -s: she works. After I, you, we, they or many people, it does not: they work. The same goes for is/are and has/have.

Pattern: he/she/it/one thing + verb-s. I/you/we/they/people + plain verb. Is/are and has/have follow the same idea.

Used correctly: a verb that correctly matches a tricky subject (for example "people are", "everyone has", "the list of names is"). Simple "I am" or "it is" does not count.

Use this whenever a verb has a subject. The verb must match the subject, not the word next to it.

Subject-verb agreement: wrong and right examples

  • Wrong The children is playing outside.

    Right The children are playing outside.

  • Wrong She don't like coffee.

    Right She doesn't like coffee.

More right sentences

  • My brother works in a bank.
  • People are tired of waiting.
  • The list of items is long.

Traps to avoid with subject-verb agreement

  • "People" and "children" are plural: people are, children are.
  • Everyone, each and news are singular: "Everyone has finished."

Skills that train subject-verb agreement

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