Micro-listening
Choose the verb that fits the subject
Why does a singular subject sometimes need a verb ending in s?
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.
Key points
- 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.
Try what you have learned
Listen to a recording, type what you hear, and check your answer.
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Examples
The repair desk opens at nine.
Why it works: One desk takes opens.
2 more examples
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The tools beside the sink belong to Rosa.
Tools is plural; sink does not control belong.
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Each visitor has a ticket.
Each visitor takes the singular form has.
Read the full guide
Try the listening exercise
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.
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One helper carries the heavy bags.
Why it works: Carry changes to carries after one helper.
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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.
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The basket of cables stays under the table.
Why it works: The shorter pattern is the basket stays.
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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 Adapt or adopt: choose the right 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.
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The sewing machine has a broken needle.
Why it works: One machine takes has.
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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.
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Everyone leaves their coat by the entrance.
Why it works: Everyone takes leaves, even with their later in the sentence.
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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.
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There is a clean cloth beside the sink.
Why it works: A clean cloth is singular.
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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.
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Maya and her neighbor are carrying a table.
Why it works: And joins two people into a plural subject.
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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.
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The fan works, but it needs cleaning.
Why it works: Listen for different final sounds in works and needs.
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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.
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The printer doesn't need more paper.
Why it works: Doesn't is followed by need, without s.
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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.
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.
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The box of tools belongs to our neighbor.
Box is the singular subject, so the verb is belongs. Tools describes the contents.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
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Read the transcript
Everyone needs safety glasses near this machine.
Everyone takes needs. Glasses is part of what people need and does not control the verb.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In American English this t sounds like a quick, soft d.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In American English this t sounds like a quick, soft d.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
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Read the transcript
The driver with the two parcels is waiting downstairs. There are three names on the order, but only one person needs to sign.
Driver takes is despite the nearby plural parcels. Three names takes are, and one person takes needs.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
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.
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Read the transcript
Before we open the doors, please check your tables. The tray of small batteries belongs beside the clock display. There are two empty boxes under the welcome desk for broken parts. Each volunteer has a blue badge, and everyone writes their first name on it. Rosa and Malik answer questions at the entrance. Please leave the path clear because one visitor uses a wheelchair.
Tray takes belongs, each volunteer takes has, and everyone takes writes. Rosa and Malik form a plural subject and take answer.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
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Speak for 20-30 seconds to a new coworker about your shared kitchen. Explain where two kinds of supplies are and what each person does after lunch.
Use: choose the verb that fits the subject
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The box of tools belongs to our neighbor.
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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.
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