Subject Verb Agreement

•  Singular means one.  Plural means more than one.

Dog (1 dog-singular)    Dogs (more than one dog-plural)

•  Singular Subjects must be paired with singular verbs.

In opposition to nouns, practically all singular verbs end in "s."  For example:

plays, jumps, was, is, has, does

Practically all plural verbs do not end with an "s." For example:

play, jump, were, are, have, do

• Always put a singular subject with a singular verb. For example:

Tommy plays basketball

• Always put a plural subject with a plural verb. For example:

Dogs like to chew on bones.

• Sometimes there will be a phrase between the subject and verb.  When this occurs, just keep your eye on the subject. Match the subject with the verb.

Mr. Chang, one of many supervisors, checks our applications.

Mr. Chang checks our applications, not the supervisors.  Mr. Chang, a singular subject, agrees with the plural verb-checks.

• The following indefinite pronouns are always singular when they are subjects.  Always pair them with singular verbs.

Anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone, and something.

• These indefinite pronouns are considered to be plural. Match these with a plural verb.

both, few, many, several

• These indefinite pronouns maybe plural or singular.  It depends on how they are being used in a sentence.

all, any, more, most, none some

• Compound subjects joined by "and" are always plural.  For example:

Bobby and Joseph play basketball.

• If a compound subject is joined by "or" or "nor," make the subject closest to the verb match.  For example.

Sandy nor small children like Squidward.

• "Don't" is a contraction for "do not."  "Don't" is a singular verb contraction.  Use "don't" with a plural verb.  

• "Doesn't" is a contraction for "does not."  This is a singular contraction.  Use doesn't with singular subjects.  

• It may help to replace the contraction with "do not," and "does not" to see if it agrees.

Don't- Plural

Doesn't- Singular

They just don't understand. (They just do not understand)

He just doesn't understand. (He just does not understand)

Incorrect usage:

Scooby just don't get it.

Scooby just do not get it. (Listen to the way this sounds)

Correct usage:

Scooby just doesn't get it.