Subject–verb agreement

The person and number of the subject of the clause determine the person and number of the verb of the clause. This is called subject–verb agreement or concord:

• He hates being in hospital. (third person singular subject + hates)
• Not: He hate being …
• We often go to Edinburgh.
• Not: We often goes …
• Are you ready?
• Not: Is you ready?
• They don’t do enough art at school.
• Not: They doesn’t do …

Some nouns, describing groups of people, can take a singular or plural verb:

• The audience was silent, waiting. (or The audience were silent …)
• The government does not encourage investment in industry. (or The government do not encourage …)

See also

• Noun phrases
• Verbs