HESI A2 Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement means that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. In simple terms, a singular subject generally takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.
Singular Subjects
Consider: The student studies every evening. The singular subject student agrees with the singular verb studies.
Plural Subjects
Now consider: The students study every evening. The plural subject students agrees with study.
Don't Let Extra Words Confuse You
A common mistake occurs when additional words separate the subject from the verb. For example: The list of assignments is on the desk. The subject is list, not assignments. Therefore, is is correct.
Compound Subjects
When two subjects are connected by and, the subject is generally plural. For example: The teacher and student are discussing the assignment. The compound subject requires the plural verb are.
Pay Attention to Singular Indefinite Pronouns
Words such as everyone, everybody, each, and someone are generally treated as singular in standard English. For example: Everyone is ready. Not: Everyone are ready.
Read the Entire Sentence
Don't choose a verb based only on the closest noun. Identify the actual subject first.
Practice Editing Sentences
Take sentences from your study materials and underline:
- The subject
- The verb
Then ask whether they agree.
Final Takeaway
Subject-verb agreement becomes easier when you identify the true subject before selecting the verb. Be especially careful when extra words or phrases appear between the subject and verb.
