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Grammar Tutorials
Subject Verb Agreement Back to Exercise Menu

Introduction to Exercise 1 - Basic rules
Grammar Explanation

Change the verb form to agree with the subjects in the following three cases:
•  When using the present tense, add –s to the verb if the subject of the sentence is or can be replaced by he, she, or it. If not, just use the simple form.
  • Example: Bob works at his school; he does research for the chemistry department.
  • Example: His colleagues like him.
•  When using the BE verb alone or as a helping verb, use am/was if the subject is I; use is/was if the subject is or can be replaced by he, she, or it; use are/were if the subject is or can be replaced by we, they, or you.
  • Example:  The candidate is popular, but his positions on most issues are unclear.
  • Example: When he was a school principal, some of his policies were controversial.
•  When using the HAVE verb alone or as a helping verb, use has if the subject is or can be replaced with he, she, or it; use have if the subject is or can be replaced by I, you, we, or they.
  • Example: Jane has no idea why the meetings have been cancelled.
PDF Download Grammar Explanation (PDF)
What You Will Do

Each of the following passages contain nine mistakes with subject-verb agreement. Click on the word or phrase that contains the mistake. When you click, a box will appear. Type the correct word or phrase in this box and then click the INSERT button. When you have finished making all the corrections, click DONE to compare WHAT YOU WROTE with WHAT WE WROTE.
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