Singular or plural? That is the question. This page is the answer (or at least a guide to the answer). It is designed for anyone trying to improve their writing or pass a subject-verb agreement test! The page starts with basic explanations and examples. After those, there is a quiz and a video at the bottom of the page.
Singular or Plural Basics
Nouns that end with s are usually plural.
– Singular nouns: dog, cat, unicorn.
– Plural nouns: dogs, cats, unicorns
If you need help making singular nouns plural, here is an online practice test.
Verbs that end with s are usually singular.
– Singular verbs: runs, eats, farts
– Plural verbs: run, eat, fart
Match singular nouns with singular verbs. If your verb has an s, your noun should not.
– The dog runs fast.
– The cat eats food.
– The unicorn farts rainbows!
Match plural nouns with plural verbs. If your noun has an s, your verb should not.
– The dogs run fast.
– The cats eat food.
– The unicorns fart rainbows!
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One Word Pronouns
A pronoun that describes one person or thing is a singular pronoun.
– Singular pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, what, who
There are 3 types of singular pronouns.
– First person singular: I
– Second person singular: you
– Third person singular: he, she, it, what, who
A pronoun that describes more than one person or thing is a plural pronoun.
– Plural pronouns: we, they
Match first person singular pronouns, second person singular pronouns, and all plural pronouns with plural verbs.
– I run fast.
– You eat food.
– We like school.
– They learn math.
Match third person singular pronouns with singular verbs.
– He runs fast.
– She eats food.
– It farts rainbows!
– What works well?
– Who feels happy?
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Subjects with “or” and “nor”
When nouns are combined with or and nor, you just need to consider the last noun.
If the last noun is singular, use a singular verb.
-Either Grace or Will makes the snack.
-Neither Betty, Juan, nor Michelle knows the answer.
-Either Leah’s classmates or Connor arrives first.
-Neither Tiffany, her friends, nor Craig eats bananas.
When the last noun is plural, use a plural verb.
-Either Steve or his friends make the snacks.
-Neither Jenny, Rachel, nor their classmates know the answer.
-Either monkeys or unicorns eat bananas.
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Subjects with “and”
Always use plural verbs when and is part of the subject.
-If the nouns are singular:
Alison and Connor teach swim lessons.
-If the nouns are plural:
Monkeys and gorillas eat bananas.
-If there is a combination of singular and plural nouns:
Alison, Connor, and the kids like to swim.
The moon and the stars shine bright.
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With Commas
Use a singular verb when the first noun is singular and is followed by a phrase with commas.
–Lori, along with Katie and Don, runs in the morning.
Use a plural verb when the first noun is plural and is followed by a phrase with commas.
–The students, along with Katie and Don, run in the morning.
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Online Quizzes
Do you think you got it? Then test yourself with this online quiz.
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The Video Version of this Page
Check out this video that we made about the information in this page if you are still having trouble understanding it.
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If you have any questions or ideas on how to improve this page about singular or plural subject-verb agreement, please email them to Marci@RegalLessons.com.
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Beyond Singular or Plural…
For more English resources, visit our English Language Arts page. For help with other subjects, visit our Study Tools page!
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Book a private tutor!
Hi! My name is Marci, and I created this page. I’m available for at-your-home Spanish tutoring for students living in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach. If you live outside the area, I’m happy to work with you virtually. To see my availability and schedule a tutoring session, please use the booking plug-in below!
- Regal Tutors accepts bookings up to 80 days in advance.
- If you see a window that says “Your phone ____ is already associated with another email.” Click “UPDATE.”
- Click here to watch a video on how to schedule a tutor.
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