Subject-verb agreement: match the verb to the right noun

Subject-verb agreement means choosing a verb form that matches the subject. In the present tense, 'the bird sings' and 'the birds sing' use different forms because one subject is singular and the other is plural.

Before you start

The subject is who or what the clause is about. In 'The birds sing at dawn', the birds are the subject. Words between the subject and verb can make the choice harder, but they do not automatically change the subject.

Start by comparing one person or thing with several. Then extend the exercise to longer noun groups. In formal school writing, check the sentence structure as well as how it sounds; a familiar phrase can still contain an agreement error.

Step by step

  1. Find the verb

    Locate the action or state in the clause. In 'The box of pencils is on the desk', 'is' is the verb. Verbs can have more than one word, as in 'has arrived', so read the whole clause.

  2. Identify the subject

    Ask who or what performs the action or has the state. The subject of 'The box of pencils is on the desk' is the box. 'Of pencils' describes the box; pencils is not the main noun of the subject.

  3. Choose the matching form

    Compare 'the box is' with 'the boxes are'. In the simple present, many verbs add s for he, she or it: 'she walks', but 'they walk'. Forms such as am, is, are, has and have need particular attention.

  4. Read the complete sentence

    Put the descriptive words back and check your choice. Keep the intended tense. Changing 'The boxes were heavy' to 'The boxes are heavy' changes time as well as the verb form.

Worked example: a box of pencils

Original editing question: Choose 'is' or 'are' in 'The box of coloured pencils ___ beside the window.'

Identify the subject

The main noun is 'box'. The words 'of coloured pencils' tell us what the box contains.
Explanation. The nearby plural noun can distract you from the singular subject.

Choose the verb

The box of coloured pencils is beside the window.
Explanation. One box takes 'is'. Removing the descriptive phrase gives the useful check 'The box is beside the window'.

Compare a plural subject

The boxes of coloured pencils are beside the window.
Explanation. Changing the subject to several boxes changes the matching verb to 'are'.

Watch the subject, not the last noun

In 'The bikes near the gate need repairs', bikes is the subject, so use need. Gate is closer to the verb, but it is inside a phrase describing the bikes.

Two subjects joined by 'and' usually take a plural verb: 'Ava and Ben are ready'. Words such as everyone and each normally take a singular verb: 'Everyone is ready'. Read the meaning and structure rather than counting every noun.

The s rule belongs to a particular verb form

Do not add s to every verb with a singular subject. Write 'She can swim', not 'She can swims'. After can, must or should, use the base form of the following verb.

I and you have their own patterns: 'I am', 'you are', 'I have' and 'you have'. Learn these forms alongside singular and plural noun subjects.

Try it yourself

Choose the matching verb in each original sentence.

  1. The basket of oranges is / are on the bench.
  2. The players near the coach runs / run onto the field.
  3. Everyone has / have a turn.
  4. Mila can jumps / jump over the puddle.

Check your answer

Use is, run, has and jump. Basket is singular; players is plural; everyone takes has; can is followed by the base form jump. Explain the subject or verb pattern for each answer instead of memorising the sequence.

Common questions

Does a singular subject always need a verb ending in s?

No. That pattern applies to many simple present verbs with he, she or it. Other forms behave differently, including is, has, past-tense verbs and verbs following can or should.

Do I match the verb to the closest noun?

Match it to the subject. A closer noun may belong to a descriptive phrase, as in 'The box of pencils is open'. The box is the subject.

Is 'everyone are ready' correct?

In formal standard English, use 'Everyone is ready'. Everyone refers to the people individually and takes a singular verb.

Curriculum connection

Year 3 Australian Curriculum English includes clauses with subjects and verbs that agree. The short sentences introduce that skill; descriptive phrases and less familiar verb forms provide an extension.

QCAA: Australian Curriculum v9.0 Year 3 English

Sources and further reading

These resources provide background on the skill. The examples and practice tasks above are original.

Check agreement in a new set of sentences

Open language conventions practice in NAPLAN Expert. When choosing a verb, identify the subject first and explain why the other form does not fit.

Practise subject-verb agreement

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Examples and activities are NAPLAN Expert teaching material. Sources checked in October 2026.