THE EXAMS POINTSubject–verb agreement: find the real subject
Begin at the centre. Explore a branch, explain its connection, then test your recall. Tap any branch heading to fold or expand it.
In recall mode, focus or tap a branch to reveal its explanation. Branches group related ideas; they do not imply a chronological sequence.
Subject–verb agreement: find the real subject
01 · Head of the subject
Ignore distracting prepositional phrases when identifying the head noun.
02 · Singular subject
Usually takes a singular finite verb in the present simple: She writes.
03 · Plural subject
Usually takes a plural form: They write.
04 · Indefinite pronouns
Words such as everyone and each normally take singular agreement.
05 · Meaning and context
Collective nouns and coordinated subjects can require contextual judgement.
Connect the branches
Match the finite verb to the grammatical subject, not merely to the nearest noun.
Avoid the exam trap
The books on the table are here: table is not the subject.
Test yourself: Which is correct: Each of the students is/are ready?
Each of the students is ready. The head each is singular.
A concise revision aid with simplified connections. It supports the full chapter and primary references; it does not replace them.