What is pronoun-verb agreement?
Pronoun-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must match the pronoun used as the subject. Singular pronouns use singular verbs, and plural pronouns use plural verbs.
- He runs fast.
- She likes music.
- They run fast.
Always look at the pronoun first to decide which verb form to use.
Singular pronouns
Singular pronouns refer to one person or thing. Common singular pronouns include I, he, she, and it.
- I am ready.
- He plays soccer.
- She reads every day.
- It looks fun.
The pronouns he, she, and it usually use verbs that end in -s.
Plural pronouns
Plural pronouns refer to more than one person or thing. Common plural pronouns include we and they.
- We are excited.
- They play outside.
- We have homework.
Plural pronouns usually use verbs without an -s ending.
Special verb forms
Some verbs change their form depending on the pronoun. The verbs be and have are common examples.
- I am happy.
- He is my friend.
- They are my friends.
- She has a pencil.
- We have crayons.
Memorizing these special forms can help you avoid common mistakes.
Checking pronoun-verb agreement
You can check pronoun-verb agreement by reading the sentence aloud and listening for what sounds correct.
- She are happy. (incorrect)
- She is happy. (correct)
- They runs fast. (incorrect)
- They run fast. (correct)
If the sentence sounds wrong, check whether the verb matches the pronoun.