Agreement means that a subject and its verb must agree with each other in number (singular or plural), or the tenses in the main clause and subordinate clause must agree with each other.

 

Basic rules of subject-verb agreement in number:

• A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.  
• When the subject is an indefinite pronoun or a noun with a quantifier, carefully decide whether you should use a singular or a plural verb. 
• When the subjects in a sentence are joined by conjunctions, a singular or plural verb may be used depending on each particular conjunction.

The computer is 

Each report is 

Either you or he is 

Printers are 

Many companies are 

Neither you nor I am 

Agreement in tense Of main clause and subordinate clause:

• When the main clause is in the present tenses, the subordinate clause may be in various tenses.
• When the main clause is in the past tense, the subordinate clause may be in the past tenses

 

PRACTICE

 

I. Choose one correct option in the parentheses.

1. Holding the conference in our hotel (are, is) advantageous to your company.
2. The requested document (has, have) not yet arrived.
3. Access to this file (are, is) limited to authorized personnel.
4. Each report (contains, contain) information on key economic indicators.
5. That Mr. Smith was absent from work (were, was) surprising.
6. The editor (want, wants) to change the layout of the newspaper.

II. Choose the correct option for each of the following sentences.

7. The firm …………. profit increases with the new marketing strategy.

1. anticipate
2. anticipates
3. are anticipated
4. anticipating

8. Obtaining a good job…………. difficult due to the economic situation.

1. have remained
2. are remaining
3. remain 
4. remains 

9. This chemical …………. only approved for use in animal foods.

1. was
2. were
3. has
4. have

10. Every area manager …………. required to visit all the offices under his management once a week.

1. is
2. are
3. were 
4. have