Agreement of The Verb with
Person and Number
Agreement of The Verb with Person and Number :
The verb must agree with its subject in Number and Person. That is that the verb must be of the same Number and Person as its subject. Thus, if the subject is of the singular number and first person, then the verb must be of the singular number and first person.
1. I am there.
2. I have a pen.
3. I was there.
4. I play tennis.
If the subject is of the singular number and third person, the verb must be of the singular number and third person.
1. She is there.
2. She was there.
3. She has a book.
4. She plays chess.
If the subject is of the plural number and third person, the verb must be of the plural number and third person.
1. They are there.
2. They have books.
3. They were there. 4. They play tennis.
Note : Singular
1. I go.
2. You go.
3. He goes.
4. I am a student.
5. You are a student.
6. He is a student.
Note : Plural
1. We go.
2. You go.
3. They go.
4. You are students.
5. We are students.
6. They are students.
In Modern English, verbs have lost all their inflections for number and person - except in the second and the third person of the singular number.
Inflection : the change in the form of a word to show difference in its meaning or use.
Agreement of The Verb with Person and Number
The Grammar Index
