Basic rule: The verb must agree with its subject in number and in person.

Number

1. If the subject is singular (there is only one person or thing spoken about), the verb must be singular.

2. If the subject is plural (there is more than one person or thing spoken about), the verb must be plural.

Person

The verb must agree with the subject in person,

Example:

Singular

I study- First Person

You study- Second Person

He/She/It studies- Third Person

Plural

We study- First Person

You study- Second Person

They study- Third Person

Singular Pronouns

anybody, anyone, each, either, everybody, everyone, neither, nobody, no one, one, somebody, someone

Singular/Plural Pronouns

any, all, more, most, none, some

Note: Agreement is always with the number of the part of the subject nearest the verb.

Example: Neither Joe nor I am voting for Frank.

1. Ask yourself, "What is the subject?"

2. Is the subject singular or plural?

3. Don't be fooled by the many exceptions. Rules include the following: agreement of subject and certain irregular verbs; use of singular or plural after "there" at the opening of a sentence; subjects that are plural in form but singular in meaning; and subjects that are singular in form but plural in meaning.

Rule: A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender, and in person

Number- If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun replacing it is singular.

Example: Joe does his homework. (The pronoun his takes the place of Joe. Joe is singular(one person); therefore, the pronoun is singular.)

Gender- If the antecedent is masculine, the pronoun replacing it is masculine. If the antecedent is feminine, the pronoun replacing it is feminine.

Example: Susan does her homework.

Person- Note that both Joe and Susan are in the third person. Therefore, the pronouns replacing each must be in the third person-his, her.

1. Pronouns which appear to be plural but are, in fact, singular. Singular Pronouns-anybody, anyone, each, either, everybody, everyone, neither, nobody, no one, one, somebody, someone. Singular/Plural Pronouns- any all, more, most, none, some.

2. Pronouns with indefinite antecedents. The anecedent must be clear or the sentence rephrased.

3. Pronouns which refer to nouns that appear to be plural but are singular in form. These require a verb in the singular. Example: The team continued its winning streak.