How to Master Subject-Verb Agreement for Band 8+ Accuracy

Objective

By the end of this blog, you will:

Understand and apply the core rules of subject–verb agreement.
Identify and correct common agreement errors found in IELTS essays and speaking.
Gain confidence in using advanced sentence structures with accurate grammar control.

🧠 1. Why Subject–Verb Agreement Matters for IELTS

In both IELTS Writing and Speaking, subject–verb agreement falls under Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

Band	Grammar Descriptor
6.0	Makes frequent subject–verb agreement errors.
7.0	Produces mostly accurate sentences, though some slips remain.
8.0+	Demonstrates full control with rare or no errors.

💡 Remember: Even one small “s” mistake (He go instead of He goes) can pull your grammar band down.

📘 2. Basic Rules of Subject–Verb Agreement

✅ Rule 1: Singular subjects take singular verbs.

He plays football every day.
The student studies hard.

✅ Rule 2: Plural subjects take plural verbs.

They play football every day.
The students study hard.

✅ Rule 3: When the subject is “I” or “You”, use the base form.

I work in a bank.
You study at night.

🎯 3. Tricky & Confusing Cases (IELTS Loves These)

Let’s decode the trickiest ones 👇

⚙️ Case 1: “Everyone”, “Each”, “Somebody”, “Anybody” → Singular

❌ Everyone have a phone.
✅ Everyone has a phone.

🧩 IELTS Example:

Each student has their own learning style.

⚙️ Case 2: “The number of…” vs. “A number of…”

The number of students is increasing. ✅
A number of students are studying abroad. ✅

💡 Tip:
“The number” = singular meaning
“A number of” = plural meaning

⚙️ Case 3: Compound Subjects (joined by “and”) → Plural

Ali and Sara work together. ✅
My friend and teacher are here. ✅

❗ Exception: When both nouns refer to the same person or thing → singular

My teacher and mentor is very kind. ✅

⚙️ Case 4: Compound Subjects (joined by “or” / “nor”)

Either the teacher or the students are wrong. ✅
Either the students or the teacher is wrong. ✅

🧩 Rule: Verb agrees with the nearest noun.

⚙️ Case 5: Collective Nouns (team, group, family, government)

The team is winning. ✅
The team are celebrating. ✅ (British style – if focusing on individuals)

💡 IELTS Tip: Both forms accepted; just be consistent in your essay.

⚙️ Case 6: “There is / There are” Structure

There is a book on the table. ✅
There are many books on the table. ✅

Tip: Verb agrees with the noun that follows.

⚙️ Case 7: Intervening Phrases (“with”, “along with”, “as well as”)

The teacher, along with the students, is coming. ✅
My brother, as well as my friends, likes music. ✅

🧠 The subject = first noun, ignore the rest.

⚙️ Case 8: Titles, Subjects, or Quantities as Singular

Mathematics is difficult. ✅
Five thousand rupees is a large sum. ✅
The United States is a powerful country. ✅

⚙️ Case 9: Inverted or Question Sentences

Does he like movies? ✅
What does she want? ✅
Where are my keys? ✅

⚙️ Case 10: Indefinite Pronouns & Uncountables

Much of the information is incorrect. ✅
None of the money has been spent. ✅
Some of the people are missing. ✅

✍️ 4. Examples: Correct vs Incorrect IELTS Sentences

❌ Incorrect	✅ Correct	Explanation
People likes to use social media.	People like to use social media.	Plural subject → plural verb
Each student have a mobile phone.	Each student has a mobile phone.	“Each” is singular
The government are planning new reforms.	The government is planning new reforms.	Use singular for collective noun
A number of students is late.	A number of students are late.	“A number of” = plural meaning
The team are playing well.	The team is playing well.	Keep consistent style (singular form for IELTS)

🧩 5. Practice Activities

Let’s go GOAT GURU Mode with power-packed IELTS grammar drills 💪🐐

Activity A: Choose the Correct Verb Form

Every student (has / have) a dream.
The number of applicants (is / are) increasing.
My friends and I (enjoy / enjoys) playing football.
Neither the teacher nor the students (was / were) satisfied.
The government (is / are) taking serious action.
Mathematics (is / are) my favorite subject.
A pair of shoes (is / are) missing.
Each of the answers (is / are) correct.
Some of the information (is / are) outdated.
Either the principal or the teachers (is / are) responsible.

Activity B: Rewrite Incorrect Sentences

Beginner to Intermediate Level:
Correct the agreement mistakes below:

People enjoys travelling abroad.

2. The team are winning the match.

3. Each student have submitted their essay.

4. A number of tourists is visiting the museum.

5. There are a large crowd outside the hall.

Advance Level:

1. The list of items are on the desk.

2. Neither of the students have finished the assignment.

3. The teacher, along with her assistants, were attending the seminar.

4. Each of the participants were given a certificate.

5. The data shows that many people prefers online shopping.

6. The committee have decided to postpone the meeting until next week.

7. The number of applicants are increasing every year.

8. Mathematics are one of my favorite subjects.

9. The news were shocking to everyone in the office.

10 The team play very well this season.

IELTS Style:

1. People often prefers to live in big cities because of better job opportunities.

2. The government have announced a new policy to reduce carbon emissions.

3. Education systems in many countries provides free schooling up to secondary level.

4. Authorities was criticized for failing to protect citizens during the flood.

5. Children learns more effectively when they are encouraged to ask questions.

6. Global warming and climate change is serious issues that affect millions worldwide.

7. The media play an important role in shaping public opinion, but sometimes it spreads misinformation.

8. A large number of students wants to acquire higher education abroad.

9. The rise of social media platforms have affected the way people communicate.

10 The provision of healthcare and education are considered basic human rights.

Activity C: IELTS Writing Correction Practice

Plural and singular noun forms

Task 2 Prompt: Some people believe governments should spend more on education than the military. Do you agree or disagree?
👉 Write two sentences expressing your opinion, then check for:

Subject–verb agreement
Consistency in number
Plural and singular noun forms

Activity D: IELTS Speaking Drill

Question: Do you think people today rely too much on technology?
🎙️ Try Saying:
“Yes, I believe people rely too much on technology. Everyone has a smartphone, and many people spend hours online every day.”
💡 Record yourself and check if your verbs match your subjects naturally.

Activity E: Guru's Rapid-Fire Fix Round 💥

The team are winning their match.

Fix these quickly:

He go to gym every morning.
My brothers lives abroad.
There is many reasons for pollution.
A number of people was injured.
The team are winning their match.

🧠 6. IELTS Grammar Tip

Agreement errors directly lower your “Grammar Accuracy” score.

Even minor slips like He work or People enjoys can drop your Writing band from 7.5 → 6.5.

✅ Double-check verbs in editing stage.
✅ In Speaking, slow down slightly when using singular subjects to avoid “-s” slips.
✅ Don’t overcomplicate: clear and correct beats long and wrong.

🧩 7. GOAT Technique: “Verb Check Chain” 🐐

Before submitting your essay, use this checklist:

Highlight all verbs.
Circle their subjects.
Ask yourself: “Do they match in number?”
Fix immediately — this habit alone can add +0.5 band.

🧱 8. Lesson Summary Table

Rule	Example (Correct)	IELTS Note
Singular subject → singular verb	The student writes essays.	Always add “-s” for he/she/it
Plural subject → plural verb	The students write essays.	No “-s” for plural
“Each”, “Everyone” → singular	Everyone has goals.	Avoid “have”
Compound with “and” → plural	Ali and Sara work together.	Two subjects = plural
“A number of” → plural	A number of people are waiting.	Don’t confuse with “the number”
“There is/are” → match after	There are many issues.	Match following noun

Homework for Legends

Write 10 IELTS-style sentences using each of these words:
- Everyone, A number of, Neither, Each, The government, The team.
  Check for agreement.
Take one IELTS Writing Task 2 essay.
- Circle every verb and verify it matches its subject.
Practice a 1-minute IELTS Speaking response about technology — focus 100% on agreement accuracy.

💬 “A Band 8 writer doesn’t just write better ideas — they make every subject and verb dance in perfect rhythm.”

Learn About Common Sentence Errors in IELTS Writing Here

Contact Here For Personalized One-on-One Online Classes for IELTS & Language Improvement

Exercises for All 4 Types of Sentence Structures

Practice Conditional Sentences Here