The basic rule
In the present tense, singular verbs usually end in s (she runs, it is, he has) and plural verbs usually do not (they run, they are, they have). That is the opposite of nouns, where s usually means plural. So the dog barks (one) and the dogs bark (many).
The tricky cases
| Case | Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| A phrase between subject and verb | The box of old photos are in the attic. | The box of old photos is in the attic. | The subject is box. Of old photos is just describing it. |
| Two subjects joined by and | My brother and my cousin plays soccer. | My brother and my cousin play soccer. | Two people together are plural. |
| Or / nor: match the nearer subject | Neither the coach nor the players was happy. | Neither the coach nor the players were happy. | Players is nearer to the verb, and it is plural. |
| Each, every, everyone, nobody | Everyone in both classes need a pencil. | Everyone in both classes needs a pencil. | These words are singular, even with a plural noun nearby. |
| There is / there are | There is three reasons to start early. | There are three reasons to start early. | The subject comes after the verb: reasons, plural. |
| Phrases like as well as, along with | The teacher, along with her students, are going. | The teacher, along with her students, is going. | These phrases do not make the subject plural. The subject is still teacher. |
Worked examples
Example 1: cross out the middle
Problem The list of names on the board (is / are) long.
- Cross out the phrases: of names, on the board.
- What is left: The list ___ long. List is singular.
Answer The list of names on the board is long.
Example 2: flip a there sentence
Problem There (is / are) a dog and two cats in the yard.
- Flip it: A dog and two cats (is / are) in the yard.
- Two subjects joined by and make a plural subject.
Answer There are a dog and two cats in the yard.
Example 3: or with mixed subjects
Problem Either the students or the teacher (has / have) the key.
- With either...or, match the verb to the nearer subject.
- The nearer subject is the teacher, singular.
- Tip: putting the plural subject second often sounds smoother: Either the teacher or the students have the key.
Answer Either the students or the teacher has the key.
Common mistakes and fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Matching the verb to the nearest noun | Cross out of, in, with and that phrases, then match the subject. |
| Treating each or everyone as plural | Remember: each one, every one. They are singular. |
| Missing a subject that comes after the verb | In there is/are and questions, flip the sentence to find the subject. |
| Thinking along with makes the subject plural | Only and joins subjects. Along with, as well as and including do not. |
Practice
Five agreement questions
The box of old photographs ___ in the attic.
- have been
- are
- were
- is
Show answer
Answer: is
The subject is box, singular. Of old photographs is a phrase in between. Are, were and have been are plural.
Neither the coach nor the players ___ happy with the call.
- was
- is
- were
- has been
Show answer
Answer: were
With neither...nor, the verb matches the nearer subject, players, which is plural. Was, is and has been are all singular.
There ___ three reasons to start the project early.
- is
- has been
- was
- are
Show answer
Answer: are
The subject comes after the verb: three reasons, plural. Are is the only plural choice.
Everyone in the two classes ___ a permission slip.
- need
- needs
- are needing
- have needed
Show answer
Answer: needs
Everyone is singular, so it takes the singular needs. In the two classes does not change that. The other choices are plural forms.
My brother and my cousin ___ on the same soccer team.
- plays
- play
- is playing
- has played
Show answer
Answer: play
Two subjects joined by and are plural, so the verb is play. The other choices are singular.
Frequently asked questions
Is everyone singular or plural?
Singular for the verb: Everyone is here. The same goes for everybody, someone, nobody, each and anyone. Words like both, few, many and several are plural. Some, all, most and none depend on the noun they refer to: Some of the cake is gone, Some of the cookies are gone.
Do amounts take a singular verb?
Usually, when you mean the amount as one sum: Ten dollars is too much for a sandwich. Three hours is a long time. If you mean the separate units, use plural: Ten dollar bills were on the table.
Is subject-verb agreement on the SAT?
Yes. College Board lists subject-verb agreement as part of the Form, Structure, and Sense skill. The harder questions put a long phrase between the subject and the verb. See SAT Form, Structure, and Sense.
Sources
- Purdue OWL, Subject/Verb Agreement, accessed October 1, 2026
- College Board, Assessment Framework for the Digital SAT Suite, version 3.01 (August 2024), accessed October 1, 2026
