What it is (and why it matters)

• Core rule: Singular subject → singular verb. Plural subject → plural verb.
  • The chart shows… (singular) | The charts show… (plural)
• In IELTS, repeated S–V errors lower Grammatical Range & Accuracy. Fixing them is quick and high-impact.

One-minute decision steps

1. Find the real subject (ignore extra phrases).
2. Decide singular or plural.
3. Pick the verb form that matches the subject (not the nearest noun).
4. If the subject is compound or tricky, apply the rule below.

High-yield rules & examples

1. Basic:
   • The percentage increases. | The percentages increase.
2. ‘And’ = plural (usually):
   • Reading and listening are key skills.
   • Exception: one unit/phrase → singular: Fish and chips is my favorite meal.
3. ‘Or/Nor’ → agree with the nearest subject:
   • Either the students or the teacher is ready.
   • Either the teacher or the students are ready.
4. Indefinite pronouns (singular): each, every, either, neither, anyone, everyone, someone, nobody, everybody → singular verb
   • Each student has a login.
   • Everybody was on time.
5. A number of / The number of:
   • A number of students are absent. (plural meaning)
   • The number of students is rising. (singular subject)
6. Uncountable nouns (singular): information, advice, furniture, traffic, research → singular verb
   • Research shows…
7. Collective nouns: team, government, audience
   • US/informal: treat as singular for unit action: The team is winning.
   • If stressing individuals (BrE style): The team are arguing.
   • In IELTS, be consistent; singular is usually safe in formal writing.
8. Data/Media:
   • Formal: The data show… (plural).
   • Common modern use accepts singular (data shows). Choose a style and stay consistent.
9. Fractions/Percentages of + noun → agree with the noun after of:
   • Fifty percent of the work is done.
   • Fifty percent of the workers are done.
10. Amounts/Distances/Time (as a unit) → singular:

• Five kilometers is a long walk.
• Ten years is a long time.

1. Subjects with “with / along with / as well as / in addition to” don’t change the number:

• The manager, along with two assistants, was present.

1. Prepositional phrases don’t control the verb:

• The rise in smartphone users is significant. (not are)

1. Inverted ‘there is/are’: agree with the real subject after the verb:

• There is a problem. | There are two problems.

1. Relative clauses: verb agrees with the clause’s subject:

• He is one of the students who work hard. (who = students → plural work)
• He is the only student who works hard. (who = student → singular works)

1. Titles/names of works/organizations → singular:

• “The Times” is widely read.
• The United Nations is… (institution treated as a single body)

Before → After (typical fixes)

• ❌ A number of people is waiting.
  ✅ A number of people are waiting.
• ❌ The percentage of cars have risen.
  ✅ The percentage of cars has risen. (subject = percentage)
• ❌ There is several reasons for this.
  ✅ There are several reasons for this.
• ❌ The team are winning the match. (formal AmE)
  ✅ The team is winning the match.
• ❌ Each of the charts show…
  ✅ Each of the charts shows…

IELTS-specific guidance

Writing Task 1

• Match the head noun: The number of visitors increases vs Visitors increase.
• With percentages/fractions, check the noun after of.
• For data/media, pick one style and stick to it throughout.

Writing Task 2

• When listing reasons with and, keep verbs parallel:
  • This policy reduces costs and improves access.

Speaking

• In stories, keep agreement even when you speak fast:
  • My friends were excited; everyone was ready.

Micro-checklist (use before submitting)

1. Underline the main subject of each sentence.
2. Cross out extra phrases (of, with, as well as…).
3. Does the verb match the subject in number?
4. “There is/are” - did you choose the right form for the noun that follows?
5. Lists with and/or - did you apply the right rule?

Quick drills (with answers)

A. Choose the correct verb.

1. The number of applicants (is/are) rising.
2. A number of applicants (is/are) international.
3. Each of the graphs (show/shows) an upward trend.
4. Fifty percent of the population (live/lives) in cities.
5. Fifty percent of the water (is/are) contaminated.
6. Either the manager or the assistants (approve/approves) the request.
7. There (is/are) two key reasons.
8. The data (show/shows) a steady increase.

Answers: 1) is 2) are 3) shows 4) live 5) is 6) approve 7) are 8) show (keep style consistent)

B. Fix the error.

1. The rise in prices are significant. → is
2. Everyone have submitted the form. → has
3. The committee are planning a vote. → is (formal AmE)
4. There is many benefits. → are

Common traps to avoid

• Nearest-noun agreement: the verb follows a nearby plural instead of the true subject.
• Over-pluralising uncountables: researches, informations (use research, information).
• Inconsistency with data/media—pick one style for the whole essay.

Build the habit (5-minute routine)

• Read one paragraph, circle subjects and underline verbs.
• Apply the 1-minute decision steps.
• Fix mismatches and read aloud; correct sound often signals correct form.