Subject-Verb Agreement - Advanced Grammar for IELTS

Prity Mallick

4 min read

Updated On Sep 18, 2025

Want to write grammatically accurate and fluent sentences with confidence? Discover the advanced grammar rules and IELTS focused examples for the topic 'Subject-Verb Agreement' while learning the importance for singular and plural subjects and verbs.

Subject-Verb Agreement - Advanced Grammar for IELTS

Understanding the Subject-Verb Agreement
Advanced Grammar Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
Exercise on Subject-Verb Agreement

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

One of the main important aspects in your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score is mastering advanced grammar topics such as Subject-Verb Agreement. Although this topic might seem quite easy, it can also confuse you with its rules, especially in terms of complex sentences, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and tricky phrasings. Therefore, you need to learn about the grammar rules, examples, common mistakes, and tips to incorporate it in the IELTS Exam.

So, let’s get you started!

Connect with our IELTS Trainers to crack your IELTS exam in no time! FREE Demo.

Understanding the Subject-Verb Agreement

The agreement of the verb depends on the particular subject. Subject-verb agreement states that if you use a singular subject, then a singular verb must follow whereas a plural subject requires you to use a plural verb form. This is important for both the IELTS Speaking and Writing sections in order to showcase grammatical accuracy and coherence. Let’s check out the examples below.

If the subject is singular, it requires a singular verb.

She writes every day.

A plural subject requires a plural verb.

They write every day.

With ‘the number of’ referring to a single total count, there is a need for a singular verb.

The number of students is increasing every year.

When you use ‘a number of’, it is related to a plural noun for which you must use a plural verb.

A number of students are participating in the research project.

Check out the Top 10 IELTS Grammar Books and get a chance to score a band 8+.

Advanced Grammar Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement

With regular practice, identifying how to use subject-verb agreement would help you in the Speaking and Writing tasks to achieve a higher IELTS Band Score. Understanding the advanced grammar rules is pivotal as you incorporate it in your sentences. This will enhance your language skills and make you feel confident. Below are some of the important grammar rules for subject-verb agreement.

Collective nouns apply to a group of people or things, and can be considered either singular or plural.

When the group acts as a single unit:

The team is winning the match.

When the individuals act separately:

The team are arguing among themselves.

Indefinite pronouns are always singular, sometimes plural, and sometimes both.

Always singular:

Everyone is invited to the seminar.

Each of the students has a different opinion.

Always plural:

Several are missing from the attendance list.

Few have completed the task on time.

Both singular and plural (depending on meaning):

All of the cake is gone. (This has a singular uncountable noun)

All of the cookies are gone. (This consists of a plural countable noun)

Use "there is" for singular subjects and "there are" for plural subjects.

There is a problem with the report.
There are several problems with the report.

With the connecting words neither + nor and either + or, the verb must agree with the subject that is closer to the verb.

Neither the professor nor her students are in the library.
Neither the students nor the professor is in the library.
Either my mother or my uncles are taking a vacation next week.
Either my uncles or my mother is taking a vacation next week.

With the connecting phrases along with and together with, the verb must agree with the first noun mentioned.

The professor, along with her students, is in the library.
The students, along with their professor, are in the library.
The anatomy books, together with the corresponding instructor’s guide, look brand new.
The instructor’s guide, together with the corresponding anatomy books, looks brand new.

Prepare yourself with An Exclusive Grammar Workbook: Guide to All Grammatical Woes!

Exercise on Subject-Verb Agreement

Look at the context carefully throughout this exercise so that you can determine whether you have an accurate grammatical answer. This will help you apply the correct advanced grammar rule in IELTS and develop your understanding of it. Now, let’s work on the exercise below to build your grammar skills.

EXERCISE: The phrases in the first column are subjects, and the phrases in the second column are verbs plus objects or prepositional phrases. Match the second column of verb phrases with their corresponding subjects.

1. The board members, along with the company president,	a. wants to become president.
2. Some of the recent history books	b. are analyzing the annual report.
3. None of the storm victims	c. is excited about the performance.
4. Either the romantic movies or the action film	d. discuss ill-treatment of Native Americans.
5. Everyone in the modern dance class	e. are going to win the movie award.
6. Two-thirds of the band members	f. is going to get government aid.
7. Anyone born in the United States	g. is scheduled to be shown on TV tonight.
8. Half of the class	h. isn’t ready for the exam.

Answers for the Exercise on Subject-Verb Agreement

Now let's review all the correct answers. Be sure to take special notice of the rationale behind each one, because it will keep you from making similar mistakes in the future.

Enroll into our Free IELTS Webinar and learn more about techniques to improve your grammar for IELTS.

As you dive into the advanced grammar topics for Speaking & IELTS Writing tasks, it is necessary to note the main aspects. Remember that subject-verb agreement is used for clarity which can add precision in your communication skills. By practising consistently with the correct form of subject-verb agreement in sentences, you will develop your ideas clearly, showcasing a higher level of language fluency.