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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- Regal Tutors accepts bookings up to 80 days in advance.
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- Click here to watch a video on how to schedule a tutor.
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