How to Identify and Use Singular or Plural Verbs Correctly?
Understanding the difference between singular and plural verbs is essential for anyone learning English. Using the correct verb form helps you avoid errors in school assignments, competitive exams, and daily conversation. Strong subject-verb agreement is key to clear, confident English communication.
| Singular Subject | Singular Verb | Plural Subject | Plural Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riya | plays | Riya and Sam | play |
| The boy | runs | The boys | run |
| She | is | They | are |
What Are Singular and Plural Verbs?
Singular verbs refer to actions by one subject. Plural verbs refer to actions by more than one subject. Use a singular verb when your noun or subject is one person or thing, and a plural verb for more than one.
- He wants pizza. (Singular)
- They want pizza. (Plural)
- The child sleeps early. (Singular)
- The children sleep early. (Plural)
Difference Between Singular and Plural Verbs
The main difference between singular and plural verbs is how they match the subject in number. Singular verbs often end in “-s” or “-es” in the present tense. Plural verbs use the base form. Choosing the right verb depends on whether the subject is singular or plural.
| Singular Verb | Plural Verb |
|---|---|
| The teacher teaches | The teachers teach |
| She has a book | They have books |
| Dog barks | Dogs bark |
Rules for Using Singular and Plural Verbs
Basic Subject-Verb Agreement
A verb must always agree with its subject in number. Learn these simple rules:
- Singular subject → Singular verb: The cat sits.
- Plural subject → Plural verb: The cats sit.
- He/she/it (third person singular) usually adds “-s” or “-es” in present simple: She rides a bicycle.
- They/we/you/I (plural or first person) use base form: They ride bicycles.
Compound Subjects
When two subjects are joined by “and,” use a plural verb. If joined by “or/nor,” the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it.
- Ravi and Neha are friends. (Plural)
- Neither Ravi nor his friends are coming.
- Either Ravi or his friend is coming.
Special Cases and Exceptions
Collective nouns (e.g., team, group) may take singular or plural verbs depending on meaning. Words like “news,” “mathematics,” and “physics” look plural but use singular verbs.
- The team is celebrating its victory. (Acting as one unit)
- The news is shocking.
- Mathematics is my favorite subject.
Common Mistakes with Singular and Plural Verbs
- Incorrect: The group are happy.
Correct: The group is happy. - Incorrect: Everyone are invited.
Correct: Everyone is invited. - Incorrect: My friends lives nearby.
Correct: My friends live nearby.
Examples of Singular and Plural Verbs in Sentences
- He runs (singular) every morning. / They run (plural) every morning.
- The child eats (singular) lunch. / The children eat (plural) lunch.
- She is (singular) tall. / We are (plural) tall.
- It flies (singular) high. / Birds fly (plural) high.
How This Topic Helps You in Exams and Real Life
Mastering singular and plural verbs will help you avoid common grammar mistakes in school, board exams, and competitive entrance tests. In both formal and casual speech or writing, correct subject-verb agreement makes your English clear and professional.
These rules are tested in fill-in-the-blank, sentence correction, and spotting the error questions. At Vedantu, we provide structured lessons and practice exercises to strengthen your grammar skills for all exams and practical situations.
Practice Exercise: Choose the Correct Verb
| Sentence | Singular Verb | Plural Verb | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| She (walk/walks) to school. | walks | walk | walks |
| Dogs (bark/barks) loudly. | barks | bark | bark |
| My brother (has/have) a car. | has | have | has |
| We (is/are) ready. | is | are | are |
Related Grammar Topics to Explore
- Subject-Verb Concord – Deep dive into tricky subject-verb agreement rules.
- Verb Forms Guide – Learn all verb forms needed for proper agreement.
- Subject and Predicate – Identify sentence parts for correct verb use.
- Error Spotting Grammar – Practice correcting subject-verb mistakes.
- Helping Verbs – See how auxiliary verbs affect agreement.
In summary, knowing the difference between singular and plural verbs helps you write and speak English correctly. Match the verb to your subject for strong grammar in exams, writing, and daily conversation. Practice with Vedantu to build complete confidence in subject-verb agreement!
FAQs on Difference Between Singular and Plural Verbs in English Grammar
1. What is the difference between singular and plural verbs in English?
Singular verbs describe actions performed by a single subject, while plural verbs describe actions performed by multiple subjects. Singular verbs often end in -s or -es in the present tense (e.g., he runs, she sings), while plural verbs use the base form (e.g., they run, they sing).
2. What is the rule for singular and plural verbs?
The basic rule is subject-verb agreement: A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. This applies across different tenses. Understanding subject-verb concord is key.
3. When to use singular or plural verb?
Use a singular verb with a singular subject (e.g., The dog barks). Use a plural verb with a plural subject (e.g., The dogs bark). Consider the number of the subject, even with phrases separating the subject and verb.
4. What is the difference between singular and plural verbs with examples?
The difference lies in the subject's number. Singular verbs agree with singular subjects (He walks), while plural verbs agree with plural subjects (They walk). The verb's form changes to reflect this agreement.
5. What are some common mistakes with singular and plural verbs?
Common mistakes include incorrect agreement with compound subjects (e.g., using a singular verb with two subjects), and issues with collective nouns (e.g., team, family). Ensure the verb matches the subject's number.
6. How do you identify verb forms?
Identifying verb forms involves understanding the tense (present, past, future) and the subject's number (singular, plural). Look for changes in the verb's spelling (e.g., adding -s, -ed, -ing) to determine the correct form and ensure subject-verb agreement.
7. What is the difference between singular and plural collective nouns?
Collective nouns (like team, family, group) can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether they act as a single unit or as individuals. If acting as one, a singular verb is used; if individuals are acting separately, a plural verb is used. Consider the context of the sentence for subject-verb agreement.
8. What are the rules for special nouns (news, mathematics)?
Nouns like news, mathematics, and physics, despite appearing plural, always take singular verbs because they refer to a singular concept. For example, 'The news is important'.
9. What happens with verbs after either/or or neither/nor?
The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. In sentences using 'either/or' or 'neither/nor', the verb agrees with the subject that is nearest to the verb. Therefore, 'Neither he nor his friends are going'.
10. Can you give examples of singular and plural verbs in sentences?
Here are some examples illustrating singular and plural verb usage: Singular: The bird sings beautifully. Plural: The birds sing beautifully. Note the addition of 's' to the singular verb.
11. How to differentiate between singular and plural verbs?
Focus on the subject of the sentence. If the subject is singular (one person, place, thing or idea), use a singular verb. If the subject is plural (more than one), use a plural verb. This subject-verb agreement is fundamental to correct grammar.
