Subject–Verb Agreement for Kids

Subject–verb agreement means that the subject (who or what the sentence is about) and the verb (the action word) must match.

If the subject is singular (one) → the verb is singular.

If the subject is plural (more than one) → the verb is plural.

Examples

The dog runs fast. 🐶

The dogs run fast. 🐶🐶

In the first sentence, there is one dog, so the verb is runs.

In the second sentence, there are many dogs, so the verb is run.

1. One person or thing → Add -s to the verb

Example:

She likes apples. 🍎

Explanation:

There is one person (she), so the verb likes ends with -s.

2. More than one → Use the base verb

Example:

They like apples. 🍎

Explanation:

There are many people (they), so the verb like has no -s.

3. I and You use the base verb

Example:

I play soccer. ⚽

Explanation:

Even if it is one person, I uses the base verb play.

Example 1

The cat jumps on the table.

Explanation:

There is one cat, so the verb is jumps.

Example 2

The cats jump on the table.

Explanation:

There are many cats, so the verb is jump.

Example 3

My brother reads a book. 📖

Explanation:

There is one brother, so the verb is reads.

Example 4

My friends read books. 📚

Explanation:

There are many friends, so the verb is read.

Example 5

The bird flies in the sky. 🐦

Explanation:

There is one bird, so the verb flies is used.

Pick the correct verb!

1. The boy (run / runs) to school.

2. The girls (dance / dances) on stage.

3. My dog (bark / barks) loudly.

4. The students (read / reads) their books.

5. She (eat / eats) breakfast.

✔ Answers:

1. runs

2. dance

3. barks

4. read

5. eats

Find the mistake and correct it!

1. The cat run fast.

2. My friends plays outside.

3. The teacher teach math.

4. The birds flies in the sky.

✔ Possible Answers:

1. The cat runs fast.

2. My friends play outside.

3. The teacher teaches math.

4. The birds fly in the sky.

Remember this simple trick:

One = add S

Many = no S

Example:

The dog runs.

The dogs run.