This subject-verb agreement quiz for beginners covers all the essential concord rules at the A1/A2 level — including singular and plural subjects, tricky noun phrases, and common ESL mistakes — with 30 questions, clear explanations, and a full grammar lesson.
If you have ever written a sentence and wondered whether to use is or are, was or were, or has or have, you are not alone. Subject-verb agreement — also called concord in grammar — is one of the most tested and most misunderstood rules in English. It simply means that the verb must match the subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).
In this lesson, you will learn every core rule of subject-verb concord, see real example sentences, study the most confusing cases, and then test yourself with a 30-question interactive quiz designed specifically for beginner ESL/EFL learners at the A1 and A2 levels.
📌 Quick Answer: Subject-Verb Agreement at a Glance
- Singular subject = singular verb → She walks to school every day.
- Plural subject = plural verb → They walk to school every day.
- Compound subject (and) = plural verb → Tom and Sara are friends.
- Uncountable noun = singular verb → Water is important for life.
- Collective noun = usually singular verb → The team plays well together.
Key Rule: Always identify the true subject of the sentence first — then match the verb to it, ignoring any phrases that come between them.
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What Is Subject-Verb Agreement? Definition and Function for ESL Beginners
Subject-verb agreement (also called grammatical concord) is the rule that says a verb must agree with its subject in number and person. In practical terms, this means a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. This rule applies to all tenses but is most visible in the simple present tense, where we add -s or -es to verbs in the third person singular.
The word concord comes from Latin and means "agreement" or "harmony." In English grammar, concord refers to the same principle — the subject and verb must be in harmony. Breaking this rule is one of the most common errors in both spoken and written English, and it is heavily tested in exams like IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge A2 Key.
Understanding subject-verb agreement helps you write and speak more naturally. Once you learn the core rules and the exceptions, you will notice these patterns everywhere — in books, in conversations, and in your own writing.
| Subject Type | Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular noun (he/she/it) | Verb + -s / -es | She reads every night. |
| Plural noun (they) | Base verb (no -s) | They read every night. |
| I | Base verb (no -s) | I read every night. |
| You (singular/plural) | Base verb (no -s) | You read every night. |
| Uncountable noun | Singular verb | Water is essential. |
Key Point: The verb form changes based on WHO or WHAT is doing the action. Always find the subject first before choosing the verb.
The Core Rules: How to Use Subject-Verb Agreement Correctly in English
The most important thing to remember about subject-verb concord is that the verb agrees with the subject, not with any other noun that appears nearby. Many beginners make the mistake of matching the verb to the noun closest to it — but this is wrong. You must always go back to the true grammatical subject.
In the simple present tense, the rule is easy to apply: add -s or -es to the verb when the subject is a third-person singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it, or any singular noun). For all other subjects (I, you, we, they, and plural nouns), use the base form of the verb without any ending.
With the verb to be, the agreement rule applies in all tenses: I am / he is / they are in the present, and I was / they were in the past. The verb to have also changes: he has vs. they have. These two verbs are the most important irregular verbs for subject-verb agreement at the A1/A2 level.
| Rule | Correct Example | Wrong Example |
|---|---|---|
| He/She/It → verb + -s | He runs fast. | He |
| They/We/You → base verb | They run fast. | They |
| To be: singular | She is happy. | She |
| To be: plural | They are happy. | They |
| To have: singular | He has a car. | He |
Important Exception: The verb to be with I in the present tense is am — not is and not are. This is unique to English and must be memorised: I am a student.
Practice Tip: When you write a sentence, underline the subject first, then ask: "Is this singular or plural?" Then choose the correct verb form. This two-step habit will eliminate most subject-verb agreement errors.
The 5 Types of Subject-Verb Agreement Every Beginner Must Know
| Type | Subject Example | Correct Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Simple singular subject | The dog | The dog barks. |
| Simple plural subject | The dogs | The dogs bark. |
| Compound subject (and) | Tom and Sara | Tom and Sara are here. |
| Collective noun | The class | The class is quiet. |
| Indefinite pronoun | Everyone | Everyone knows the rule. |
Type 1: Simple Singular and Plural Subjects
This is the most basic type of subject-verb agreement. When the subject is a single person, place, or thing, use the singular form of the verb. When the subject refers to more than one, use the plural form.
- The bird sings in the morning. (singular)
- The birds sing in the morning. (plural)
- My teacher speaks clearly. (singular)
- My teachers speak clearly. (plural)
Position Rule: The subject usually comes before the verb. Look for the noun that is performing the action.
Common Mistake: ❌ The student study hard. → ✅ The student studies hard.
Type 2: Compound Subjects Joined by "And"
When two subjects are joined by and, they form a compound subject and almost always take a plural verb. Think of and as adding things together — two or more subjects together equal a plural idea.
- My brother and sister live in London.
- Coffee and tea are popular drinks.
- The cat and the dog play together.
Position Rule: The plural verb comes immediately after the full compound subject.
Common Mistake: ❌ Tom and Anna is happy. → ✅ Tom and Anna are happy.
Type 3: Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are words that refer to a group of people or things as a single unit. In standard American English (and in most ESL textbooks), collective nouns take a singular verb because the group acts as one unit.
- The team is ready to play.
- The committee has made a decision.
- The family lives in a small house.
Position Rule: Common collective nouns include: team, class, family, group, committee, audience, government.
Common Mistake: ❌ The team are playing well. → ✅ The team is playing well. (in American English)
Type 4: Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
Some indefinite pronouns are always singular and always take a singular verb, even though they seem to talk about many people or things. The most important ones to memorise are: everyone, everyone, somebody, nobody, anyone, each, every, either, neither.
- Everyone is welcome here.
- Nobody knows the answer.
- Each student has a book.
- Neither option is correct.
Position Rule: These pronouns function as singular subjects regardless of what follows them.
Common Mistake: ❌ Everyone are ready. → ✅ Everyone is ready.
Type 5: Phrases Between Subject and Verb
One of the trickiest concord situations is when a phrase comes between the subject and the verb. Phrases beginning with of, with, as well as, together with, along with, including do NOT change the number of the subject. Always ignore these phrases and match the verb to the original subject.
- The box of apples is on the table. (subject = box, singular)
- The students in my class work hard. (subject = students, plural)
- My friend, along with her sisters, is coming tonight. (subject = friend, singular)
Position Rule: Put brackets around the interrupting phrase to isolate the real subject: The box [of apples] is…
Common Mistake: ❌ The price of the tickets are high. → ✅ The price of the tickets is high.
Key Differences: Subject-Verb Agreement — The Confusing Pairs Beginners Always Get Wrong
"Is" vs. "Are" with Nouns Ending in -s
Some nouns end in -s but are actually singular in meaning. These fool many beginners into using are when they should use is. The most common examples are subjects like news, mathematics, physics, economics, politics, and athletics. These look plural but refer to one subject or field, so they take a singular verb.
- ✅ The news is surprising today.
- ✅ Mathematics is my favourite subject.
- ✅ Physics is difficult for me.
- ❌ The news
aresurprising today.
"Was" vs. "Were" — Past Tense Agreement
In the past tense, the verb to be has two forms: was (singular) and were (plural). Many learners mix these up, especially with the subject you, which always uses were even in the singular.
- ✅ I was at school yesterday.
- ✅ She was tired after work.
- ✅ They were happy to hear the news.
- ✅ You were late this morning. (singular you still uses were)
- ❌ You
waslate this morning.
"There is" vs. "There are"
In sentences starting with There is / There are, the verb agrees with the noun that follows the verb, not with the word there. If the noun after the verb is singular, use there is. If it is plural, use there are.
- ✅ There is a book on the table. (singular: a book)
- ✅ There are three books on the table. (plural: three books)
- ✅ There is some milk in the fridge. (uncountable: milk)
- ❌ There
area cat in the garden.
"Either/Neither" — Singular or Plural?
When either…or and neither…nor connect two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to the verb. This is called the proximity rule. If the closer subject is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
- ✅ Either the teacher or the students are wrong. (closer subject: students = plural)
- ✅ Neither the students nor the teacher is wrong. (closer subject: teacher = singular)
- ❌ Either the boys or the girl
arecoming. → ✅ Either the boys or the girl is coming.
🚫 Common Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ The list of items
areready. → ✅ The list of items is ready. - ❌ Everyone
areexcited. → ✅ Everyone is excited. - ❌ The news
arebad today. → ✅ The news is bad today. - ❌ My mother and father
isat home. → ✅ My mother and father are at home. - ❌ Neither of the answers
arecorrect. → ✅ Neither of the answers is correct. - ❌ There
ismany problems here. → ✅ There are many problems here. - ❌ You
waswrong. → ✅ You were wrong.
Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz for Beginners (A1/A2): 30 Questions with Answers
This subject-verb agreement quiz includes 30 multiple choice questions covering simple subjects, compound subjects, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, there is/are, was/were, and phrases between subject and verb. Each question includes a detailed explanation so you learn from every answer.
Quiz Instructions: Read each question carefully and select the best answer. After you click, you will see an explanation telling you exactly why the answer is correct.
Finished the quiz? Review every question you got wrong before moving on. If you scored below 70%, re-read the lesson above before retaking the quiz to reinforce the rules.
Frequently Asked Questions about Subject-Verb Agreement in English Grammar
What is subject-verb agreement in English grammar?
Subject-verb agreement (also called concord) is the grammatical rule that says the verb in a sentence must match its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). It is one of the most fundamental rules in English grammar and applies in all tenses.
For example, in the present simple tense: She works hard. (singular subject, singular verb) vs. They work hard. (plural subject, plural verb). Breaking this rule makes your sentence grammatically incorrect, even if the meaning is understood.
What is the difference between subject-verb agreement and concord?
There is no difference — subject-verb agreement and concord refer to the same grammatical concept. "Concord" is the more traditional or formal term used in linguistics and academic grammar books, while "subject-verb agreement" is the term more commonly used in ESL/EFL teaching and textbooks.
Both terms describe the rule that a verb must agree with its subject. You may see either term in grammar tests, textbooks, or lessons. Knowing both words helps you understand instructions across different learning resources.
Is "everyone" singular or plural in subject-verb agreement?
Everyone is always treated as singular in formal English grammar, even though it refers to many people. This means it always takes a singular verb: Everyone is here. / Everyone knows the answer. The same rule applies to other indefinite pronouns: someone, nobody, anybody, each, either, neither.
Many learners make the mistake of using a plural verb because everyone seems to mean "all people." However, in standard grammar, the pronoun itself is singular. This is one of the most tested rules in A2-level English exams, so it is worth memorising carefully.
Why does the subject-verb agreement rule change with "either…or" and "neither…nor"?
With either…or and neither…nor, the verb follows the proximity rule — it agrees with the subject that is closest to the verb. If the nearer subject is singular, the verb is singular. If the nearer subject is plural, the verb is plural. Example: Either the teacher or the students are wrong. (closer subject: students = plural)
This rule is different from the rule for and, which always creates a plural subject. The reason for the proximity rule with or / nor is that these conjunctions present alternatives rather than combining subjects. So the verb reflects the alternative closest to it.
Can a subject-verb agreement mistake change the meaning of a sentence?
Yes, in some cases a subject-verb agreement error can cause confusion or change the meaning of a sentence. For example: The list of errors is long. (correct — the list is long) vs. The list of errors are long. (incorrect — sounds like the errors are long). While the error might be understood in context, it signals a lack of grammatical accuracy and can affect your score in writing tests.
In professional or academic writing, subject-verb agreement errors are considered serious mistakes. They can undermine your credibility as a writer. Practising with focused quizzes — like the one in this lesson — is one of the most effective ways to build accuracy and confidence.
Related Grammar Lessons for Beginners
- Articles in English (A, An, The): Learn when to use definite and indefinite articles with singular and plural nouns — a topic closely connected to subject identification.
- Countable and Uncountable Nouns: Understanding which nouns are countable and which are not is essential for applying subject-verb agreement rules correctly.
- Simple Present Tense Rules: The simple present tense is where subject-verb agreement is most visible. Master this tense to reinforce your concord skills.
- Pronouns (He, She, They, It): Knowing how to identify and use pronouns correctly is a key step in choosing the right verb form for any subject.
Mastering subject-verb agreement is one of the most important steps in building accurate, confident English at the A1/A2 level. Keep practising with this subject-verb concord quiz and review the rules above until choosing the right verb feels completely natural.
About the Author
About the Author: Dharma Poudel has completed an MA and MEd in English and has been teaching English for 20 years. He specializes in creating simple, clear grammar lessons for ESL/EFL learners at all levels. His mission is to help learners build confidence through structured explanations and interactive practice materials.