Language Fundamentals

Subject-​Verb Agreement

Match singular and plural subjects with the correct verb form.

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What & why

What it is
Subject-verb agreement is the rule that a verb must match its subject in number: a singular subject takes a singular verb, a plural subject a plural verb. The trap is usually distance, when a phrase sits between them, as in 'the list of requirements is attached,' where the verb agrees with 'list,' not 'requirements.' Collective nouns, 'neither/nor' pairs, and 'each' and 'everyone' add further cases where the grammatical number is not the obvious one.
Why it works

A grammatical mismatch creates a brief snag: the listener or reader notices the error, pauses to resolve it, and momentarily attends to the form instead of your idea. That friction is small but it interrupts flow and can pull focus from your argument. Correct agreement also functions as a credibility cue, since careful grammar signals preparation and command of the material. Getting it right keeps attention on what you are saying rather than how you are saying it.

Before & after

Before

“The list of requirements are attached”

After

“The list of requirements is attached”

When you’ll use it

Team presentations: "The data shows" (singular) vs "The data show" (plural in some contexts)

Meeting minutes: "The committee has decided" (singular collective) vs "The committee have disagreed" (plural emphasis)

Progress reports: "Neither the manager nor the employees were" (plural verb matches closest subject)

Policy documents: "Each of the departments is responsible" (singular with "each of")

Pro tip

Locate the true subject, ignore interrupting phrases.

Questions & answers

What is subject-verb agreement in business writing?

Subject-verb agreement ensures that singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. For example: 'The team is meeting' (singular) vs. 'The teams are meeting' (plural). Proper agreement maintains professional credibility.

What are common subject-verb agreement mistakes in business communication?

Common mistakes include treating collective nouns incorrectly (writing 'The team are deciding' when you mean the group acting as one unit, which should be 'The team is deciding'), compound subjects ('Neither the manager nor the employees was' should be 'were'), and intervening phrases obscuring the real subject ('The list of items are' should be 'The list of items is').

How do I handle subject-verb agreement with collective nouns?

Treat collective nouns as singular when the group acts as one unit ('The team is deciding') or plural when emphasizing individual members ('The team are arguing among themselves'). Choose based on whether you mean the group or its members.

Learn more

Purdue OWL - Subject-Verb Agreement
The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Writing Center, George Mason University

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