Common Mistakes
Subject-verb agreement errors
Identify the subject first, then match the verb — ignore interrupting phrases.
Why this happens
Writers often match the verb to the nearest noun instead of the true subject, especially when a long phrase sits between them. Collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and compound subjects with or/nor also blur what counts as singular or plural. The fix is always the same habit: name the subject first, then choose the verb.
See it in a sentence
IncorrectThe committee have approved the revised draft.
CorrectThe committee has approved the revised draft.
Teaching note: Treat committee as one unit taking a singular verb when it acts together.
IncorrectThe list of ideas are on your desk.
CorrectThe list of ideas is on your desk.
Teaching note: Subject is list (singular), not ideas — ignore the prepositional phrase in the middle.
IncorrectEveryone in the teams were ready.
CorrectEveryone in the teams was ready.
Teaching note: Everyone is singular; teams only adds detail and does not make the verb plural.
More examples
The team is ready to present, but the team are arguing among themselves.
Collective nouns: use is when the group acts as one unit; are when you mean the individuals inside it.
Everyone is responsible for proofreading their own section.
Indefinite pronouns like everyone, each, and nobody are singular — use is, not are.
Neither the manager nor the employees are available this afternoon.
With neither/nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject — employees is plural, so use are.
The box of tools is on the shelf beside the workbench.
Subject is box (singular), not tools — ignore the interrupting prepositional phrase of tools.
Quick check
Each of the reports need a summary paragraph before Friday.
Show the fix
Each of the reports needs a summary paragraph before Friday. Each is the subject and is singular, so use needs — not reports.
Practice this topic in Wrytesmart
Open the grammar workspace to complete interactive exercises for subject-verb agreement errors. You will spot errors, fill blanks, and transform sentences — always with teaching notes that explain the principle, not just the correction.
Master subject-verb agreement errors in context
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