Agreement in the English language

Agreement (also called concord) is the way a word has the form appropriate to the person, number, or gender of the noun or pronoun.[1]

For example, the sentences "It exists." and "They exist." are grammatically correct, while "It exist." or "They exists." are grammatically incorrect. English grammar requires that the verb and its subject agree in person: the pronoun it and the verb exists are singular, whereas the pronoun they and the verb exist are plural.

Subject and Complement–Verb agreement

Subject–Verb agreement

In general, a verb's number is matched to its subject (which normally precedes the verb).[2]

A singular subject takes a singular verb.[3][4][5]

  • The only solution is new regulations.

A plural subject takes a plural verb.[3][4][5]

  • New regulations are the only solution.

Subject after the verb

The subject follows the verb in a range of constructions, including certain formal, literary, or emphatic structures as well as using here and there at the beginning of a sentence.[5][6][7][3][8]

  • Look, here comes your boyfriend!
  • Little does he realize how much he means to us.
  • The new policy is beneficial to the environment, as are the prior regulations.

Complement–Verb agreement

When the subject is far from the verb, the verb is sometimes matched to the complement.[2]

  • The main problem with the new policy, along with several unexpected complications, are/is the unclear rules and guidelines.

This often occurs when the subject is a relative clause introduced by what, especially if the complement is long.[9][10][3]

  • What we need to consider is the potential consequence of this decision.

If the complement is plural, the verb can be plural (more formal) or singular.[3]

  • What we need to consider is the potential consequences of this decision.
  • What we need to consider are the potential consequences of this decision. (more formally)

Parentheses

Parentheses can always be removed, so they don't affect the agreement.[5][11][12][13][14]

  • Our laptop computer (and its accessories) comes with a two-year warranty.

Complex nouns

When a noun is complex, i.e. it contains a preposition, prepositional phrase, adverb, adverbial phrase (e.g., with, in addition to, along with, as well (as), together with, besides, or not), or a relative clause, the verb usually agrees with the head noun or pronoun.[5][10][3][9][15]

  • The engine of the car needs to be repaired.
  • The man who lives next door is very outgoing.
  • The computer as well as the printer is malfunctioning.
  • The teachers in my school are notoriously unprepared for classes.

Quantifying expressions

However, with quantifying expressions (phrases expressing parts), percentages, and fractions, the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun following of.[16][5][10][17][18]

  • Half of the team members are working remotely today.
  • Less than 2% of water in the world is drinkable.
  • Only a handful of students were on time for the class.

Pronoun–Antecedent agreement

Number agreement

A singular pronoun is used for a singular noun.[19]

  • The computer is on the desk, and it is not working properly.

A plural pronoun is used for a plural noun.[19]

  • The computers are on the desk, and they are not working properly.

Gender agreement

Pronouns are also matched for gender. He or she and who are normally used for people.[20][19]

  • My uncle is a doctor. He works in the city hospital.

When referring back to indefinite pronouns such as somebody, someone, anybody, anyone, no one, nobody, everybody, and everyone, the phrase he or she is used.[21][22][23]

  • If someone wants to join, he or she must register online.

Nowadays, it is also generally considered correct to use the word they.[21][22][23]

  • If someone wants to join, they must register online.

It and which are normally used for things or animals.[20]

  • I saw a cat. It was sleeping on the sofa.

When animals are thought of as having personality, intelligence, or feelings, he or she may sometimes be used; this is common with pets.[20]

  • This is Bella, a friendly golden retriever. She enjoys playing fetch with her owner.

In such cases, who is used instead of which.[20]

  • Meet Luna, a playful cat who loves to chase toys.

Sometimes she is used for cars and motorcycles as well as countries, though it is more common in modern usage.[20][24][25]

  • I love my car. It (or rarely: She) never lets me down.
  • Italy is famous for its (or rarely: her) cuisine.

Sailors may refer to ships and boats as she, but it is less common than it used to be.[20][24][25][26]

  • The ship has lost its (or rarely: her) mast.

Determiner–Noun agreement

Some determiners are used only with certain kinds of nouns. For example, this and that change to these and those when the following noun is plural.[27]

  • this cat — these cats
  • that cat — those cats

The table below shows which determiners and determiner phrases combine with which kinds of nouns:

Determiner Countable singular nouns (e.g. notebook, week) Uncountable nouns (e.g. luggage, music) Countable plural nouns (e.g. notebooks, weeks)
a / an / each[28][29][30][31] / many a/an[32][33] / one / either[34][35] / neither[36][37] Yes No No
many / quite a few / a good few / a good many / not a few / a number of / few / fewer[38][39][40] / fewest / a few / several[41] / these / those / zero, two, three, etc. / umpteen No No Yes
much / little / a little No Yes No
this / that Yes Yes No
quantity of[42][43] / enough / a lot of / lots of No Yes Yes
amount of[44] / a good deal of[45][46][47] / a great deal of[45][43][47] / less[38][39][48][40] / least No Yes Considered incorrect
all[49][50] / some / any Yes Yes Yes

Every

Every is followed by a singular noun and a singular verb.[51][28][52][53]

  • Every episode of the series presents a new story.

Every is used with a plural noun when it refers to intervals.[54][52]

  • A train leaves the station every three hours.

No

The word no is followed by a singular noun when referring to the absence of even a single item.[55][56]

  • He has no passport.

The word no is followed by a plural noun when referring to the absence of multiple items.[55][56]

  • He has no socks.

Often both are possible, though it is more formal to use a singular noun.[57][56]

  • No dogs allowed!
  • No dog allowed! (more formally)

Kind(s)/Sort(s)/Type(s) of

After kind/sort/type of, a singular noun is usually used.[58][59][60][61][62]

  • What sort of book do you usually read?

It is also possible to use kind/sort/type of with a plural noun.[59][61]

  • What sort of books do you usually read?

The phrases kinds/sorts/types of can also be used with either a singular or a plural noun.[60][61]

  • We studied many sorts of political system(s).

Certain structures with this, that, these, and those occur, but they are considered incorrect.[59][60][61]

  • This kind of problems is difficult. (this/that + kind/sort/type of + plural noun)
  • These kind of problems is difficult. (these/those + kind/sort/type of + plural noun)
  • These kinds of problem are difficult. (these/those + kinds/sorts/types of + singular noun)

In formal style, a plural verb followed by of this/that kind/sort/type is also possible.[59][60]

  • Problems of this kind are difficult.

Dozen, hundred, thousand, million, and billion

The words dozen, hundred, thousand, million, and billion are used without the -s ending when they follow a number.[63][64][65][66][67]

  • The population of South Korea grew to almost 52 million and then began to decline.
  • I have two hundred dollars on me.

Fractions

Fractions between 1 and 2 are used with plural nouns.[68]

  • The package weighs one and a half pounds.
  • The wall is about 1.8 inches thick.

Notional agreement

Notional agreement (also called notional concord or synesis) is a type of agreement that stems from the meaning. It is more common in British English than in American English.[69]

And

Expressions joined by and generally take a plural verb.[70][5][9][28]

  • A cat and a dog are playing in the garden.

If the nouns, however, suggest one idea or refer to the same thing or person, the verb is singular.[70][5][9][28]

  • The new bed and breakfast opens this week.
  • The singer and songwriter is performing tonight.

When expressions joined by and follow each or every, the verb is singular.[70][28]

  • Each teacher and student has completed the survey.

The verb is also singular when uncountable nouns joined by and follow all.[70]

  • All the information and advice is available on our website.

Amounts and quantities

Expressions of distance, sums of money, periods of time, etc., regarded as one unit, take singular determiners, verbs, and pronouns.[16][5][71][72][18]

  • Five minutes is all I need.
  • Fifty dollars is a fair price.
  • Two liters of water is required for the experiment.

However, when these expressions are deemed separate individual units, they are plural.[5][72]

  • A few dollars were missing from the victim's wallet.

Calculations

When speaking calculations, both singular and plural verbs are possible depending on the phrasing.[72][73]

  • Three and three is/are six.
  • Three plus three is six.

Groups

American English

In American English, collective nouns (i.e. nouns expressing groups singular in form such as committee, Interpol and The United Nations)[2][74][3] generally take singular verbs[75][76] and either singular or plural pronouns.[77]

  • The committee was arguing among itself/themselves during the session.
  • My family is all coming over for Thanksgiving.
  • The United Nations has stated that it/they will continue the negotiations.

British English

In British English, collective nouns may take either singular or plural verb and pronoun forms.[77][75]

Singular forms are used when the emphasis is on the group as a whole.[77][3]

  • The committee has postponed its meeting until next week.

In these cases which is also used as the relative pronoun.[77]

  • The band, which was formed in the 1980s, gained international fame.

Plural forms are used when the emphasis is on the individual members.[77][3]

  • The committee were arguing among themselves during the session.

In those cases who is often used as the relative pronoun.[77]

  • The band, who have been performing together for decades, released a new album.

Indefinite pronouns

As subjects, another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, less, little, much, neither, no one, nobody, nothing, one, somebody, someone, and something take singular verbs.[78]

  • Everybody is a genius.

The pronouns both, few, fewer, many, others, and several take plural verbs.

  • Few know the full story.

The pronouns all, any, enough, more, most, none, some, and such take a singular verb when they refer to an uncountable noun or a plural verb when they refer to a plural noun.[79][5]

  • I found the equipment in the garage, but it turned out that none is useful.
  • I found the tools in the garage, but it turned out that none are useful.

"the number of" vs. "a number of"

The literal phrase the number of takes a singular verb, whereas the fixed phrase a number of is treated as plural.[80][81][82]

  • The number of cars on the roads has decreased.
  • A number of people have complained about the noise.

Special cases

Titles and names

Titles and names plural in form and referring to a single thing (e.g. countries, movies, restaurants, and quotations) take singular verbs.[3][14][2]

  • The Netherlands is famous for its fields of tulips.
  • The Avengers has been a huge box-office success.
  • The New York Times is an American newspaper.
  • "Sales figures" is the phrase used in the report title.

The United States

Usually the United States is used with a singular verb just like other countries. However, it is possible to use it with a plural verb, though this is uncommon.[83]

  • The United States is (or rarely: are) the country with the largest number of native English speakers.

What/Who questions

In questions, what and who are followed by a singular verb when they are used as subjects.[68][84]

  • Who lives in that house?

However, when they are used as complements (this happens often after linking verbs), they are followed by either a plural or singular verb.[68][84]

  • Who is the person living in that house?
  • Who are the people living in that house?

Both versions are also possible in echo questions if the subject is plural or consists of at least two nouns with and.[84]

  • John and Mary are coming tomorrow. – Who are coming tomorrow?
  • John and Mary are coming tomorrow. – Whos coming tomorrow?

A pair of

After a pair of, both singular and plural verbs can be used.[85]

  • A pair of glasses is/are on the bench.

Clauses

Singular verbs are used with clauses used as subjects.[3][86]

  • What she said was suspicious.
  • For all of us to get enough sleep is crucial.
  • To err is human.
  • Where they went remains unknown.

Everyone, everybody, and each

When pronouns refer back to everyone, everybody, and each they may be singular (more formal) or plural (less formal).[54][30]

  • Everyone is responsible for his or her actions. (more formally)
  • Everyone is responsible for their actions. (less formally)

Each

When each refers to the subject and is in mid-position, plural nouns, pronouns, and verbs are used.[87][30]

  • The students each have their own locker.

More than one

The expression more than one uses a singular noun and verb.[16]

  • More than one factor contributes to climate change.

Here's, there's, and where's

In informal style, here's, there's, and where's are often used with plural nouns (instead of here are, there are, where are); sometimes this is considered incorrect.[68][5][28]

  • Where are my keys?
  • Where's my keys? (informally and sometimes considered incorrect)

Any of, none of, either of, and neither of

After any of[88][28], none of[89][90][28], either of[34][91][35][28][92], and neither of[36][93][94][37][28][95], English uses a plural personal pronoun or a plural determiner and noun and optionally a singular verb in formal style or a plural verb in informal style.

  • Any of the students is allowed to retake the test. (formally)
  • Any of the students are allowed to retake the test. (informally)
  • None of the students is ready for the exam. (formally)
  • None of the students are ready for the exam. (informally)
  • Either of them is welcome to join us. (formally)
  • Either of them are welcome to join us. (informally)
  • Neither of them is ready yet. (formally)
  • Neither of them are ready yet. (informally)

Each of

Each of is normally followed by a plural personal pronoun or a plural determiner and noun and a singular verb[96]. However in informal style a plural verb is sometimes used.[28][97]

  • Each of the books has a different cover design.
  • Each of the books have a different cover design. (informally)

Expressions with "in" and "out of"

After number followed by in or out of, English uses a number with a plural noun and either a singular or plural verb.[98]

  • Almost nine in ten students hate(s) math.
  • Over six out of ten young men feel(s) lonely regularly.

Every one of

Every one of is followed by a plural personal pronoun or a plural determiner and noun and a singular verb.[51]

  • Every one of her arguments is wrong.

One of

The expression one of is usually followed by a plural noun.[16]

  • One of the apples is rotten.

Sometimes one of is used with a singular noun referring to a group.[99]

  • Why don't you invite one of the team for lunch?

The verb after the noun is singular.[16]

  • One of my co-workers is from Seoul.

After one of in the relative clauses, both plural and singular verbs are used; the plural form is generally considered correct.[2]

  • He's one of the professors who teach quantum physics.
  • He's one of the professors who teaches quantum physics. (considered incorrect)

The

The phrase consisting of the and an adjective is plural when referring to well-known groups of people in a particular physical or social condition.[100][101][102][103]

  • The rich are getting richer and richer.
  • The living have to learn to live with the loss of their loved ones.

Certain fixed formal phrases consisting of the and an adjective are singular (the former/latter) or both singular and plural (the accused/aforementioned/deceased/undersigned).[100]

  • Noah and Amelia applied for the job, but the former was more qualified.
  • The aforementioned was/were then questioned at the police station.

The phrase consisting of the and an adjective is singular when it refers to general abstract ideas.[104]

  • The unknown is often scarier than the known.

The phrase consisting of the and an adjective is plural when referring to people from a specific country.[100][102][103]

  • The Japanese value punctuality highly.

(Either) or, (neither) nor, not only (but) also

The verb should agree with the expression in these structures closest to it (the rule of proximity). Other forms of agreement occur, but they are not considered correct.[9][70][5][10][28]

  • Either my teacher or I am wrong.
  • Are neither the employees nor the manager aware of the change?

Nonstandard usage

African-American Vernacular English

In African-American Vernacular English (AAVE), the -s ending is usually omitted in the present simple.[105]

  • She write poetry. (correct English: She writes poetry.)

Northern and Scottish English

Some Northern English and Scottish dialects exhibit the Northern Subject Rule, under which the -s ending can occur with plural noun subjects but is often absent after personal pronouns.[106]

  • The birds sings in the yard. (correct English: The birds sing in the yard.)
  • They sing in the yard.

References

  1. ↑ "Definition of agreement". Collins Dictionary. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Swan 2016, p. 205.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Hewings 2023, p. 80.
  4. 1 2 ELT & COBUILD 2017, p. 36, 42, 49, 51.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Straus, Jane. "Subject–Verb Agreement". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  6. ↑ "Here and there". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  7. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 57–58.
  8. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 400–402.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Swan 2016, p. 206.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Subject–Verb Agreement 3". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  11. ↑ "How to use parenthesis: brackets, dashes and commas". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  12. ↑ "Parentheses vs. Brackets: Definitions and Examples". 16 November 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  13. ↑ Einsohn, p. 348.
  14. 1 2 Eastwood 1994, p. 192.
  15. ↑ "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Swan 2016, p. 204.
  17. ↑ "fraction". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  18. 1 2 Hewings 2023, p. 84.
  19. 1 2 3 ELT & COBUILD 2017, p. 106.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Swan 2016, p. 513.
  21. 1 2 "they". Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  22. 1 2 "they". Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  23. 1 2 Swan 2016, p. 264.
  24. 1 2 "she".
  25. 1 2 "she".
  26. ↑ "she".
  27. ↑ Swan 2016.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Hewings 2023, p. 82.
  29. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 239.
  30. 1 2 3 "each". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  31. ↑ "each". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  32. ↑ "many". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  33. ↑ "many a/an". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  34. 1 2 Swan 2016, p. 242.
  35. 1 2 "either". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  36. 1 2 Swan 2016, p. 243.
  37. 1 2 "neither". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  38. 1 2 "less". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  39. 1 2 "Less or fewer?". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  40. 1 2 "less". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  41. ↑ "both, several, most, all". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  42. ↑ "Amount of, number of or quantity of?". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  43. 1 2 Carter & McCarthy 2006, p. 361.
  44. ↑ "amount". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  45. 1 2 "a great/good deal". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  46. ↑ Carter & McCarthy 2006, p. 348.
  47. 1 2 Swan 2016, p. 257.
  48. ↑ "less". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  49. ↑ "all". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  50. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 235.
  51. 1 2 Swan 2016, p. 237.
  52. 1 2 "every". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  53. ↑ "every". Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  54. 1 2 Swan 2016, p. 238.
  55. 1 2 Hewings 2023, p. 92.
  56. 1 2 3 "no = not / not any". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  57. ↑ Hewings 2023, p. 98.
  58. ↑ "kinds / types / sorts / varieties (of music)". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  59. 1 2 3 4 Swan 2016, p. 684–685.
  60. 1 2 3 4 Uk 2019, p. 281,282,485,539.
  61. 1 2 3 4 "kind". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  62. ↑ "kind". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  63. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 505.
  64. ↑ hundred. "Definition of hundred; Collins English Dictionary". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  65. ↑ "hundred". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  66. ↑ ELT & COBUILD 2017, p. 302.
  67. ↑ Uk 2019, p. 727.
  68. 1 2 3 4 Swan 2016, p. 207.
  69. ↑ "On Notional Agreement, the Majority Speak".
  70. 1 2 3 4 5 ELT & COBUILD 2017, p. 799.
  71. ↑ Murphy 2019, p. 158.
  72. 1 2 3 "Subject–Verb Agreement 2". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  73. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 507.
  74. ↑ Carter & McCarthy 2006, p. 351.
  75. 1 2 Murphy 2019, p. 301.
  76. ↑ "family". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  77. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Swan 2016, p. 203.
  78. ↑ Murphy 2019, p. 170, 180.
  79. ↑ "No, none and none of". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  80. ↑ "number". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  81. ↑ Straus, Jane (9 December 2010). "The Number vs. A Number". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  82. ↑ "Verb agreement with "number"". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  83. ↑ "the United States (of America)". Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  84. 1 2 3 Hewings 2023, p. 52.
  85. ↑ "pair". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  86. ↑ Eastwood 1994, p. 193.
  87. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 240.
  88. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 246.
  89. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 249.
  90. ↑ Murphy 2019, p. 172.
  91. ↑ "either". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  92. ↑ "either". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  93. ↑ Murphy 2019, p. 178.
  94. ↑ "neither". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  95. ↑ "neither". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  96. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 239–240.
  97. ↑ "Each". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  98. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 503.
  99. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 661.
  100. 1 2 3 Swan 2016, p. 279.
  101. ↑ ELT & COBUILD 2017, p. 65.
  102. 1 2 Murphy 2019, p. 152.
  103. 1 2 "Subject-Verb Agreement 1". Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  104. ↑ Swan 2016, p. 280.
  105. ↑ Sidnell, Jack. "African American Vernacular English (Ebonics)". Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  106. ↑ Pietsch 2005.

Bibliography

Books

  • Swan, Michael (2016). Practical English Usage (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-420243-5.
  • Hewings, Martin (2023). Advanced Grammar in Use: Book with Answers and eBook and Online Test (4th ed.). Oxford: Cambridge University Press & Assessment. ISBN 9781108920216.
  • Murphy, Raymond (2019). English Grammar in Use (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  • Eastwood, John (1994). Oxford Guide to English Grammar. Oxford University Press.
  • Carter, Ronald; McCarthy, Michael (2006). Cambridge Grammar of English: A Comprehensive Guide.
  • ELT, Collins; COBUILD, Collins (2017-03-23). Collins COBUILD Grammar - COBUILD English Grammar. Collins Cobuild. ISBN 978-0-00-813581-2.
  • Uk, Collins (2019). Collins COBUILD Grammar - English Usage: B1-C2 (Fourth ed.). HarperCollins Publishers Limited. ISBN 978-0-00-835640-8.
  • Einsohn, Amy. The Copyeditors Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications (Fourth ed.).
  • Pietsch, Lukas (2005). Variable Grammars: Verbal Agreement in Northern Dialects of English.
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