A subject and verb must agree in person and number. Singular subjects need singular verbs and singular verbs end with an –s in the present form. S = sing V = sing Ex. A senator serves for six years.
Plural subjects need plural verbs and plural verbs do not end with an –s in the present form S = plural V = plural Ex. Two senators from each state serve in Congress.
A subject and verb must agree in person and number. When a sentence starts with there and a form of the verb be (is, are, was, were), the subject follows the verb. The form of be MUST agree with the subject. V=sing S=sing Ex. There was an English colony in Massachusetts. V=plural S=plural Ex. There were several children on board the Mayflower.
If the subject is in the 3 rd person and it is singular, use doesn’t. S= 3 rd, sing Ex. Alice doesn’t get up early.
For all other 3 rd person singular and plural subjects, use don’t. S= 1 st, sing Ex. I don’t have an alarm clock S=2 nd, sing/pl Ex. You don’t have to wake me up, however. S= 3 rd,pl Ex. The children don’t get up early.
Use are and were with the subject you, whether you is singular or plural. S= sing Ex. You are always late, Jennifer. S= pl Ex. You are late again, Jennifer and Carla.
Compound subjects connected by the word and usually requires a verb that agrees with a plural subject. S S V=Pl Ex. England and France were allies in World War I.