Subject-verb agreement

Add –s, –es, –ies, to a singular verb. (She studies)
Keep the base form of the verb for plural. (I study)

• She helps the teacher. (singular pronoun she – singular verb helps)
• We help the teacher. (plural pronoun we – plural verb help)

The irregular Be verb changes agreement according to its conjugation as a helping verb.

For example:

• The book is heavy. (singular subject book – singular verb is)
• The tools are useful. (plural subject tools – plural verb are)

• The memory of my grandparents makes me happy. (singular subject memory – singular verb makes)

Ignore the extra words between the subject and verb.

Compound singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb.

• Steak or seafood is fine for dinner tonight.

Compound plural subjects joined by or or nor take a plural verb.

• Neither Chris nor Sandra eat meat.

None may be singular or plural (but usually plural).

• None of my bags ever arrive on time.

The verb must agree with the noun closest to the verb in these examples:

Fractions

• One fourth of the classes were canceled.

Percentages

• Twenty-five percent of class was canceled.

Other Quantifiers

• All of the students take the bus.
• Some of the lecture is boring.