🗺️ SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT GRAMMAR MAP

SINGULAR SUBJECTS → SINGULAR VERB

He, She, It, Singular Nouns, Uncountable Nouns take singular verbs.

(+) Positive She speaks English, Water is essential, Everyone is here

(-) Negative She doesn't speak

(?) Question Does she speak English?

PLURAL SUBJECTS → PLURAL VERB

They, We, You, Plural Nouns take plural verbs.

(+) Positive They speak English, Children are playing, Both books are good

(-) Negative They don't speak

(?) Question Do they speak English?

1. Form & Structure

Special Subject Agreement Matrix

Indefinite Pronouns (Everyone, Nobody, Somebody, Anything): ALWAYS SINGULAR → Everyone is happy. Nobody knows the answer.
Nouns connected by AND: ALWAYS PLURAL → Tom and Mary are friends.
Uncountable Nouns (Milk, Information, Advice): ALWAYS SINGULAR → The information was helpful.
Collective Nouns (Team, Family): Singular for unified unit → My family is large.

Example / Question	Positive / Short Answer	Negative / Short Answer
Everyone / Somebody	Everyone is ready.	Verb: SINGULAR (is)
Subject 1 AND Subject 2	John and I are studying.	Verb: PLURAL (are)

2. Key Rules & Formation

Rule	Base / Standard Form	Applied Form
Prepositional Phrase Interruption	Ignore prepositions between subject and verb! The verb matches the main subject, NOT the noun inside the prepositional phrase.	The key to the doors IS lost (NOT "are lost").

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Preventing Grammar Agreement Errors

Ensure accurate verb forms across complex subject structures.

One of my friends is a doctor.
The books on the table belong to the library.

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

agreementsingular subjectplural subjecteveryoneone ofboth

Subject Identification:

Always locate the TRUE core subject before choosing the verb form!

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

Mistake 1: Matching verb to the nearest noun instead of the core subject
❌ Incorrect: One of the cars are red.
✓ Correct: One of the cars is red.
Note: The subject is "One" (singular), so use "is".

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is "Nobody" singular or plural?

"Nobody", "No one", "Everyone", and "Someone" are grammatically SINGULAR in English and take singular verbs.

1. Form & Structure

Special Subject Agreement Matrix

Indefinite Pronouns (Everyone, Nobody, Somebody, Anything): ALWAYS SINGULAR → Everyone is happy. Nobody knows the answer.

Nouns connected by AND: ALWAYS PLURAL → Tom and Mary are friends.

Uncountable Nouns (Milk, Information, Advice): ALWAYS SINGULAR → The information was helpful.

Collective Nouns (Team, Family): Singular for unified unit → My family is large.

Example / Question	Positive / Short Answer	Negative / Short Answer
Everyone / Somebody	Everyone is ready.	Verb: SINGULAR (is)
Subject 1 AND Subject 2	John and I are studying.	Verb: PLURAL (are)

2. Key Rules & Formation

Rule	Base / Standard Form	Applied Form
Prepositional Phrase Interruption	Ignore prepositions between subject and verb! The verb matches the main subject, NOT the noun inside the prepositional phrase.	The key to the doors IS lost (NOT "are lost").

Basic Agreement

1. Form & Structure

Special Subject Agreement Matrix

2. Key Rules & Formation

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Preventing Grammar Agreement Errors

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is "Nobody" singular or plural?

Basic Agreement

1. Form & Structure

Special Subject Agreement Matrix

2. Key Rules & Formation

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Preventing Grammar Agreement Errors

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is "Nobody" singular or plural?

Other Subject–Verb Agreement lessons

Practice Exercises