Subject-Verb Agreement: The Sneaky Grammar Gremlin
- LSO
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
As a writer, you wrestle with plot holes and character arcs. The last thing you want is to be derailed by a grammar gremlin. But subject-verb agreement? That little bugger has tripped up more bestsellers than writer’s block ever has.
TME is not here to give you a dusty lecture. We are here to give you the hacks. Because when you’re in the flow, you shouldn’t have to stop and ask, “Wait, does that verb need an s or not?” Let’s get to the good stuff.
The Golden Rule
The core idea is that singular subjects get singular verbs, and plural subjects get plural verbs. A singular verb usually ends in -s. A plural verb usually doesn’t.
The dog barks. (One dog. Singular verb: barks.)
The dogs bark. (Multiple dogs. Plural verb: bark.)
Easy, right? The trouble starts when sentences get fancy. So let’s talk about the three places writers usually stumble.
Hack 1: Ignore the Interlopers
This is the big one. Your brain sees a noun right next to the verb and assumes it’s the subject. It’s a trap. Phrases like as well as, along with, together with, and including are not the same as and. They add information, but they don’t change the subject’s number.
The Hack: Mentally cross out the phrase between the subject and the verb. Read the sentence without it.
Wrong: The protagonist, along with her sidekicks, are in trouble.
Right: The protagonist, along with her sidekicks, is in trouble.
Cross out “along with her sidekicks.” You’re left with “The protagonist…is in trouble.” See? Clean.
Hack 2: Watch Out for “Or” and “Nor”
When the subject is made of two or more parts joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearest part.
The Hack: Look at the last noun in the list. That’s your boss for this sentence.
Neither the editor nor the writers are happy. (The nearest subject, writers, is plural, so use are.)
Neither the writers nor the editor is happy. (Now the nearest subject, editor, is singular, so use is.)
It sounds a little clunky, but it’s grammatically correct—and it beats being wrong.
Hack 3: Collective Nouns Are Deceptively Sneaky
Words like team, cast, group, jury, and family are singular. They represent one unit. In American English, we almost always treat them as singular.
The Hack: If you can put “the members of” in front of it and it still makes sense, you might need a plural. But when in doubt, keep it singular. Consistency is key.
Right: The critique group meets every Tuesday. (It’s one group, doing one thing.)
Awkward: The critique group meet every Tuesday.
If you want to emphasize the individuals, just say “the members of the group meet.” Problem solved.
10-Item Subject-Verb Agreement Test
Put your skills to the test! Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct verb. Choose the correct verb to complete each sentence. Add your answers in the comment section so we can see it. Enjoy!
The stack of revision notes on my desk ______ intimidating.
a) look
b) looks
Neither the main character nor his loyal companions ______ ready for the final battle.
a) is
b) are
There ______ several compelling reasons to rewrite the first chapter.
a) is
b) are
The writing group, along with its facilitator, ______ meeting at the new café.
a) is
b) are
Every one of the manuscripts ______ a unique voice.
a) has
b) have
The series ______ gained a massive following since its debut.
a) has
b) have
Answer Key
b) looks
The subject is “stack,” singular. Ignore the phrase “of revision notes.”
b) are
With “neither/nor,” the verb agrees with the closest subject: “companions,” which is plural.
b) are
The subject “reasons” comes after the verb. Flip the sentence: “Several reasons…are.”
a) is
The subject is “group,” singular. Ignore the phrase “along with its facilitator.”
a) has
The subject is “one,” singular. “Every one” is always singular.
a) has
“Series” can be singular or plural, but here it’s treated as a single unit with “its debut.”
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