Five Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Explore the most frequent errors in English writing and practical strategies to improve your work.
Read ArticleUnderstanding Subject-Verb Agreement in English
Learn why subjects and verbs must match, with examples of common agreement mistakes and how to spot them in your own writing.
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule in English grammar. It’s the principle that your subject and verb must match in number — if your subject is singular, your verb should be singular. If it’s plural, your verb needs to be plural too.
Think of it like a dance where two partners need to move in sync. When they’re out of rhythm, the whole performance falls apart. The same happens in your writing when subjects and verbs don’t agree.
This rule applies to present tense verbs mostly, and it’s one of those mistakes that immediately signals to readers that something’s off with your writing. But here’s the good news — once you understand the pattern, you’ll spot these errors everywhere and fix them quickly.
The Basic Pattern: Singular and Plural
Let’s break this down simply. Singular subjects take singular verbs. Plural subjects take plural verbs.
Singular:
The cat runs across the yard.
She walks to school every morning.
Plural:
The cats run across the yard.
They walk to school every morning.
Notice how the verb changes form. With singular subjects, we often add an “-s” to the verb (runs, walks, talks). With plural subjects, the verb stays in its base form (run, walk, talk). This pattern works for most regular verbs in present tense.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
You’ll encounter agreement problems most often with three types of situations. First, there’s the classic mistake of using a plural verb with a singular subject.
Wrong: “The team are winning the championship.” (In American English, “team” is singular)
Right: “The team is winning the championship.”
Second, words that come between the subject and verb can trick you. You might focus on the noun closest to the verb instead of the actual subject.
Wrong: “The box of cookies are on the shelf.” (Subject is “box,” not “cookies”)
Right: “The box of cookies is on the shelf.”
Third, indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “anyone,” and “somebody” are singular even though they sound plural.
Wrong: “Everyone are coming to the party.”
Right: “Everyone is coming to the party.”
Spotting and Fixing Agreement Issues
Here’s a practical strategy that works. When you’re proofreading, slow down and identify the subject first. Cross out any phrases that sit between the subject and verb. Then check if the verb matches the subject.
Let’s try it with a tricky sentence: “The list of important documents are in the file.” First, find the subject — it’s “list,” not “documents.” Second, remove the phrase “of important documents.” Now read it: “The list are in the file.” Doesn’t that sound wrong? It is. It should be “The list is in the file.”
This technique works because it isolates the core sentence. You’re left with just the subject and verb, which makes it much easier to hear if they match. Most native English speakers can tell when something’s off if they read it aloud this way.
Practice this skill with 3-4 sentences a day, and you’ll develop an instinct for catching these errors automatically. Your writing will feel more polished and professional.
Key Takeaways
1
Match by Number
Singular subjects need singular verbs. Plural subjects need plural verbs. This is the core rule that governs agreement.
2
Ignore Intervening Words
Phrases that sit between the subject and verb can distract you. Focus on the actual subject, not the noun closest to the verb.
3
Remember Indefinite Pronouns
Words like “everyone,” “anyone,” and “something” are always singular, even though they might sound plural.
4
Use the Isolation Technique
Cross out intervening phrases to see the subject and verb clearly. Read the sentence aloud to test if it sounds right.
About This Article
This article is an educational resource designed to help you understand the fundamentals of subject-verb agreement in English grammar. The rules and examples presented here reflect standard American English conventions. English grammar rules can vary slightly between American and British English, and different style guides sometimes have different recommendations. We encourage you to consult your specific style guide (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) or speak with an English teacher if you need guidance on how to apply these rules in your particular context. This information is provided for learning purposes and should be used as a foundation for developing your grammar skills.
Related Articles
