Micro-listening
Choose the verb that fits the subject
How do I choose the correct present-tense verb?
Choose the present-tense verb that agrees with the subject, not the nearest noun. With most verbs, singular subjects usually take works, while plural subjects take work; be and other common verbs have their own forms. Everyone and each stay singular. For example, 'The packet of forms arrives today.' After does or doesn't, use the base verb.
Key points
- Find the subject before choosing the verb.
- Extra words between subject and verb can mislead you.
- Everyone and each take singular verb forms.
- There is and there are depend on the following noun.
This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.
At a glance
| Form | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular subject + verb-s | Most present-tense verbs with one subject | The notice appears here. |
| Plural subject + base verb | Most present-tense verbs with plural subjects | The notices appear here. |
| Everyone or each + singular verb | These subjects remain grammatically singular | Each member receives a badge. |
| There is | Introduce one person or thing | There is a key nearby. |
| There are | Introduce two or more things | There are four keys nearby. |
| Does or doesn't + base verb | Questions and negatives with singular subjects | Does the motor turn? |
Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
The full explanation
Subject-verb agreement means choosing a verb form that matches its subject. With most verbs in present-tense statements, he, she, it, and a singular noun take an ending such as s: the machine works. Plural nouns use the base form: the machines work.
The repair desk opens at nine.
Why it works: One desk takes opens.
2 more examples
-
The tools beside the sink belong to Rosa.
Tools is plural; sink does not control belong.
-
Each visitor has a ticket.
Each visitor takes the singular form has.
Read the full guide
Choose the form for one person or several
Start with a small decision: does the subject name one person or thing, or more than one? At the repair event, a helper checks tickets and helpers check tickets. In present-tense statements, most verbs add s for he, she, it, or one named person or thing. I and you use the base form, even when they refer to one person.
-
One helper carries the heavy bags.
Why it works: Carry changes to carries after one helper.
-
You carry the light bags.
Why it works: You takes carry, whether it means one person or several.
Your turn
Which sentence describes several helpers correctly?
Answer: The helpers carry the bags.
Show the answer
Answer: The helpers carry the bags.
Helpers is plural, so use carry.
Keep the subject when extra words appear
A description can sit between the subject and its verb. In the sentence about a basket of cables, basket names the thing you are describing; of cables tells you what it contains. Temporarily remove that phrase and read the shorter sentence. This also helps with descriptions of location, such as beside the door. Check the subject again before restoring the extra words.
-
The basket of cables stays under the table.
Why it works: The shorter pattern is the basket stays.
-
The lamps beside the door need new bulbs.
Why it works: Lamps controls need, although door is closer.
You can practise this again in Said or Told: Choose the Right Verb and Verbs followed by infinitives: choose the next verb.
Your turn
Complete the sentence: The bag of spare parts ___ upstairs.
Answer: is
Show the answer
Answer: is
Bag is the singular subject; spare parts describes its contents.
Choose is, are, has, or have
Some common verbs do not follow the simple pattern of adding s. Use is and has with he, she, it, or a singular noun. Use are and have with plural nouns, we, and they. You also takes are and have. I takes am and have. Learn these as short pairs so that you can recognize them quickly in spoken updates.
-
The sewing machine has a broken needle.
Why it works: One machine takes has.
-
The spare needles are in a small tin.
Why it works: Needles is plural, so use are.
Your turn
Which sentence correctly describes one person?
Answer: I am ready to help.
Show the answer
Answer: I am ready to help.
The correct present-tense form of be with I is am.
Use a singular verb with everyone and each
Everyone describes all the people in a group, but it takes a singular verb. Each also takes a singular verb when it is the subject, including in each of the visitors. Compare these with all the visitors, which is plural. Someone, somebody, and nobody follow the singular pattern too. A later word such as their does not change the verb choice.
-
Everyone leaves their coat by the entrance.
Why it works: Everyone takes leaves, even with their later in the sentence.
-
Each of the visitors has a number.
Why it works: Each controls has; visitors belongs to the extra phrase.
Your turn
Choose the correct sentence about all the visitors.
Answer: Everyone needs a number.
Show the answer
Answer: Everyone needs a number.
Everyone takes the singular forms needs and is.
Look after there to choose is or are
Use there is or there are to introduce something, such as equipment in a room. The noun that guides your choice comes after the verb: there is a stool; there are three stools. You may hear there's before plural nouns in casual conversation. Recognize that usage when listening, but choose there are with plural nouns in these exercises and in careful writing.
-
There is a clean cloth beside the sink.
Why it works: A clean cloth is singular.
-
There are two empty seats near the window.
Why it works: Two empty seats needs are.
Your turn
Complete this written notice: There ___ three spare chairs outside.
Answer: are
Show the answer
Answer: are
The notice introduces three chairs, so the plural form are fits.
Distinguish and from with
When and joins two different people as the subject, use a plural verb. With works differently: it adds information about who accompanies the main person. Along with follows the same pattern. This distinction can help you understand who a message mainly describes. Find the main subject before deciding whether the second person also controls the verb.
-
Maya and her neighbor are carrying a table.
Why it works: And joins two people into a plural subject.
-
Maya, along with her neighbor, is carrying a table.
Why it works: Maya remains the singular subject.
Your turn
Complete the sentence: Ben and his sister ___ the welcome desk.
Answer: run
Show the answer
Answer: run
Ben and his sister are two people joined by and, so use run.
Listen for endings and shortened forms
Small verb sounds can be easy to miss. The ending in works sounds like s, while the ending in needs sounds like z. Is and are may be quiet in a spoken sentence. In she's ready, she's means she is. Listen once for the whole message, then listen again for the subject and verb. Use grammar to check what you heard.
-
The fan works, but it needs cleaning.
Why it works: Listen for different final sounds in works and needs.
-
She's ready to collect her radio.
Why it works: She's expands to she is before ready.
Your turn
What does she's mean in She's ready to collect her radio?
Answer: She is
Show the answer
Answer: She is
Ready describes her state, so the full form here is she is.
Check questions and negative sentences in writing
When checking a written question or negative sentence, look for does or doesn't. These forms already show the singular choice, so the main verb keeps its base form: does the lamp work, not does the lamp works. Plural subjects use do or don't. After can, both singular and plural subjects use the base form. Check these patterns separately from ordinary positive statements.
-
The printer doesn't need more paper.
Why it works: Doesn't is followed by need, without s.
-
Can these scissors cut thick fabric?
Why it works: After can, use the base form cut.
Your turn
Which question is ready to send?
Answer: Does the clock need a battery?
Show the answer
Answer: Does the clock need a battery?
One clock takes does, and the main verb stays in the base form need.
Common mistakes
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
-
Not this:
The row of chairs need cleaning.Say: The row of chairs needs cleaning.
Row is the singular subject; of chairs is extra description.
-
Not this:
Each of the machines have a label.Say: Each of the machines has a label.
Each takes a singular verb, despite the plural noun machines.
-
Not this:
There is two messages on the screen.Say: There are two messages on the screen.
The noun after there is plural, so use are.
-
Not this:
Does the kettle boils quickly?Say: Does the kettle boil quickly?
Does already marks the singular form; the main verb stays in the base form.
Use it naturally
How people really use “Each visitor has”
Neutral Fine almost anywhere, at work or with friends.
Words it often goes with
- has a ticketEach visitor has a ticket for the museum.
- has a lockerEach visitor has a locker for personal items.
- has a mapEach visitor has a map of the building.
Questions about "Choose the verb that fits the subject"
Why does a singular subject sometimes need a verb ending in s?
The s on a noun and the s on a verb do different jobs. A noun often adds s to mean more than one. Most present-tense verbs add s with he, she, it, or a singular noun in a positive statement. Compare the subject and verb as a pair.
The driver waits outside.
The drivers wait outside.
Can I use their after everyone?
Yes. Their can refer back to everyone without identifying anyone's gender. Everyone still takes a singular verb in the present tense. Check the verb directly connected to everyone, even when their appears later.
Everyone keeps their ticket until the end.
Do each of the boxes and all the boxes take the same verb?
No. Each of the boxes takes a singular verb because each considers the boxes one at a time. All the boxes takes a plural verb. The nearby word boxes does not make each plural.
Each of the boxes has a label.
All the boxes have labels.
Why is there no s on work after does?
Does already marks the singular subject in a present-tense question or negative sentence. The following main verb uses its base form. The same rule applies after doesn't, the shortened form of does not.
Does the heater work at night?
The heater doesn't work at night.
Does this singular and plural difference also happen in the past?
Most past-tense verbs keep the same form with singular and plural subjects. Be is a useful exception: he, she, it, and singular nouns usually take was, while plural nouns, we, they, and you take were. I usually takes was.
The visitor arrived early.
The visitors arrived early.
The visitors were tired.
Before you go
Remember this
Match the verb to the subject, not simply to the nearest noun. Check everyone and each as singular forms, and look after there for the noun. With does or doesn't, use the base form of the main verb.
Stage 2 of 5
Listen
Hear it in real sentences, from short to long, and write what you hear.
0 of 4 done
Listening 1 of 4
Listening 2 of 4
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
0:00
Practice complete
You listened closely.
Your result is saved in this browser.
Keep your progress. Your practice is saved on this device only. Create a free account to keep it everywhere.
Create a free accountThat was today's free lesson. Tomorrow you get another one. Want more today? See membership.
Create a free SubLearn account to keep this progress across devices.
Save my progressStage 3 of 5
Speak
Say it with the speaker, then use it in your own answer.
Shadow
Say it along with the speaker
Play the line slowly, then speak at the same time as the speaker. Copy the rhythm, not just the words.
Your turn
Say it your way
Speak for 30 to 60 seconds from memory about a photo museum you help run. Tell a friend what each visitor receives, where people can see the photos, and who owns the camera beside the entrance.
Use: Each visitor has There are belongs
Take ten seconds to think, then answer out loud without looking at the lesson. Speak for the time shown in the task above. Nothing is sent unless you ask for feedback.
0:00
Hear how someone else might say it
I help at a small photo museum on Saturdays. Each visitor has a map that shows the different rooms. There are two rooms downstairs and one upstairs. The photos near the entrance show our town a hundred years ago. My favorite picture shows the old market. The camera beside the entrance belongs to my grandfather. It still works, but we keep it behind glass. Everyone enjoys looking at it. My friend Sara and her brother answer questions, and I sell postcards.
Try once more and answer this: Which photo do you like best?
Stage 4 of 5
Write
Use what you've learned to write about your day or week, then write a message.
Write
Put it in your own words
- I used “Each visitor has”.
- It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
- I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.
Write your own response
Choose a situation and write 30–50 words of your own. In this activity, you decide what to say rather than copy the words in a recording.
Check your own writing
Read one possible response
Use these checks to revise your message. Grammar and meaning are not automatically graded. Each task keeps its own draft in this browser tab.
You finished the free part of this lesson
- Understand
- Listen
- Speak
- Write
- CheckPart of membership
Worth another look
With a free account, the lessons you finish come back for review to help you remember them.Create a free account
Stage 5 of 5 · Part of membership
Check
New clips without hints.
Listening tests are included with membership. Try the free dictation first, then decide whether to continue.
Listening 1 of 2 Part of membership
Listening 2 of 2 Part of membership
Follow MicroEnglish
Find lesson updates, short videos and quick quizzes. Pick the app you already use.
Questions & comments
Ask about this lesson, share an example, or help another learner.
Example
Memory tip
Goes with
Related forms
Not to be confused with
In this lesson
This word isn't in our dictionary. Check the spelling, or try another form of the word.
We couldn't load this word. Try again.
