Common mistake Agreement error: Non-third person/past tense verb with 'he/she/it' or a pronoun

Agreement error: Non-third person/past tense verb with 'he/she/it' or a pronoun

One of the most common grammatical mistakes is the agreement error between a non-third person or past tense verb and the pronouns 'he', 'she', 'it', or a singular noun.

Here are some examples of this type of mistake:

Incorrect: He go to the store every day.
Correct: He goes to the store every day.
Incorrect: She have a cat named Lucy.
Correct: She has a cat named Lucy.
Incorrect: It was many people outside.
Correct: There were many people outside.

As you can see, the incorrect examples use a non-third person verb form or a past tense verb with pronouns or a singular noun that require a different verb form. The correct examples use the appropriate forms for agreement.

Using 'he', 'she', or 'it'

When using the pronouns 'he', 'she', or 'it', you should use the third person singular verb form. This means you add an 's' to the base form of most verbs:

He goes to the gym every morning.
She loves to read books.
It eats carrots for breakfast.

Using singular nouns

When using a singular noun, you also need to use a third person singular verb form:

The dog barks loudly at night.
The cat sleeps on the windowsill.
The car drives fast on the highway.

Remember, singular nouns and the pronouns 'he', 'she', and 'it' require a third person singular verb form for agreement.

It's important to proofread your writing to catch these agreement errors. A great tool to help you with grammar and spelling is Linguix grammar checker. It can help you identify and correct these mistakes, ensuring your writing is clear and error-free.

Agreement error: Non-third person/past tense verb with 'he/she/it' or a pronoun mistake examples

Incorrect:
He walk to the building every day.

Correct:
He walks|walked to the building every day.
Incorrect:
He going crazy.

Correct:
He goes|went crazy.
Incorrect:
I hope he go away.

Correct:
I hope he goes|went away.
Incorrect:
She really thought he make it finally.

Correct:
She really thought he makes|made it finally.
Incorrect:
She really thought somebody make it finally.

Correct:
She really thought somebody makes|made it finally.
Incorrect:
She say Larry and Beverly left today, so we can park in their driveway and be sneaky.

Correct:
She says|said Larry and Beverly left today, so we can park in their driveway and be sneaky.
Incorrect:
Mary didn't do everything she say she did.

Correct:
Mary didn't do everything she says|said she did.
Incorrect:
He always walk to the building.

Correct:
He always walks|walked to the building.
Incorrect:
Somebody usually enter the building.

Correct:
Somebody usually enters|entered the building.
Incorrect:
He forward the mail.

Correct:
He forwards|forwarded the mail.
Incorrect:
He order him to do it.

Correct:
He orders|ordered him to do it.
Incorrect:
He look big and fast and gets yardages running in the interior.

Correct:
He looks|looked big and fast and gets yardages running in the interior.
Correct:
He always walks to the building.
Correct:
He always walked to the building.
Incorrect:
He really don't like it.

Correct:
He really does|didn't like it.
Correct:
He then summons them.
Correct:
Here'd he go?
Correct:
She needn't bother with that.
Correct:
Why's he being lazy?
Correct:
... and to everybody actually writing about this topic, I just want to say...
Correct:
If you know of anyone please have them call me.
Correct:
If you notice anybody please ask them to move to the safety area.
Correct:
Somebody really realizing her problems would not judge her so harshly.
Correct:
Please tell everyone about going to the park.
Correct:
He walks to the building every day.
Correct:
He cannot hear you.
Correct:
Make someone investigate this incident.
Correct:
Does he or she react to that?
Correct:
Please everyone review as Michael would like to send an executable copy tomorrow morning to RM.
Correct:
She came in through the back door lest she be seen.
Incorrect:
Somebody enter the building.

Correct:
Somebody enters|entered the building.
Correct:
His medics insist he rest for several more months.
Correct:
I'm the one who suggested she sell her Kabyle dress.
Correct:
He stole out of the house without anyone seeing him.
Correct:
He walked to the building.
Correct:
I find it hard to understand how anyone seeking a position in public life could demonstrate...
Correct:
He was busy, he said, in having someone submit to a monkey-gland operation.
Correct:
What's he going to do?
Incorrect:
Everybody hate to hear bad news.

Correct:
Everybody hates|hated to hear bad news.
Incorrect:
Nobody move?

Correct:
Nobody moves|moved?
Correct:
Nobody move!
Correct:
I demanded that he stop phoning me.
Correct:
Please tell someone about Harry.
Correct:
-Is he going to tell the truth?
Correct:
The bride came into the room, with everyone staring at her.
Correct:
Only supply information that you are comfortable with anyone seeing.
Incorrect:
Everybody liking my new suit.

Correct:
Everybody likes|liked my new suit.
Correct:
Both you and he are eligible for up to five years in federal prison.
Correct:
You as well as he are diligent.
Correct:
This is a good book for anyone wishing to learn English.
Correct:
Nobody having any question, he ended the lecture.
Correct:
I don't want anyone touching my car.
Correct:
Anybody touching my car will get a black eye!
Correct:
Can you ask anyone regarding the new concept?
Correct:
Somebody considering the new job must think about these:
Correct:
His parents as well as he are very kind to me.
Correct:
The girl noticed someone go out of the door.
Correct:
The alarm sent everyone rushing out of the room.
Correct:
Will everybody talking please just listen for a moment?
Correct:
... and not someone possessing legal responsibility for the process of its...
Correct:
... and anyone possessing information is asked to contact the police.
Correct:
Where are Carl and Laura?
Correct:
We will also need the bio of anyone planning on attending these meetings.
Correct:
When are Carl, Joseph and Laura back?
Correct:
Somebody help me please!
Correct:
What'd she say?
Correct:
I had heard phrases like that all the time in ads, but it was weird hearing someone say them in real life.
Correct:
Somebody say something.
Correct:
Everyone listen up!
Correct:
Anyone else having to deal with that problem?
Correct:
Anyone going to the concert?
Correct:
If anyone needs help or has any doubt you can talk to me.
Correct:
He then summons them.
Correct:
I'm letting everyone know exactly what happened.
Correct:
She wasn't letting anyone see the doctor.
Correct:
How to help someone having a heart attack.
Correct:
But letting everybody hear about your problems is rather indiscreet.
Correct:
He stated, "[T]he Act of Congress which prohibited a citizen from holding and owning slaves".
Correct:
I would say that is probably someone using dirty clothes.
Correct:
I would say that was probably someone doing the dirty work.
Correct:
... but rather, the photograph showed somebody cleaning dirty clothes.
Correct:
To everybody writing on this forum, thank you...
Correct:
To everybody actually writing on this forum, thank you!
Correct:
... and because almost everybody writing on this rather unusual topic thinks that they have an answer...
Correct:
... we note that almost everybody writing on this topic divided Germany into two groups.
Correct:
Virtually everybody writing on this topic divides Germany into two groups.
Correct:
Please keep confidential and if I've missed anyone please forward along.
Correct:
Someone please nominate yourself to format each paper in the same manner and have them all put together in one binder nice and pretty.
Correct:
If I have missed anyone please pass the information on.
Correct:
Someone please invent a mescal tequila and habanero cocktail called “Tire Fire”.
Correct:
If this is not the case, someone please speak up.
Correct:
Everyone please be present…
Correct:
If this is not acceptable to anyone please reply with substitutes.
Correct:
If you need to speak to someone immediately please contact Ramona Perkins at X58465.
Correct:
Without anyone quite realizing it, FERC was sailing into uncharted waters.
Correct:
Somebody really realizing her problems would not judge her so harshly.
Correct:
Please tell someone about water baptism.
Correct:
I want to tell everyone about water baptism.
Correct:
I talked with someone about water baptism.
Correct:
They did that in order to make someone feel bad.
Correct:
He lets everyone believe that they are safe.
Correct:
My jokes didn't make anyone laugh.
Correct:
They make everybody feel good and everybody likes to be around them.
Correct:
We will provide lunch for everyone so get to me the names of who is committed so I can plan.
Correct:
As a man lives, so shall he die.
Correct:
...hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.
Correct:
... her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.
Correct:
Why doesn't anybody answer?
Correct:
She no longer scuba dives as she once did.
Correct:
Anybody want a beer?
Correct:
Jenny and he actually going at this time makes a lot of sense.
Correct:
Somebody call an ambulance!
Correct:
Everyone have a good summer.
Correct:
Everyone review the language quickly and provide comments.

Incorrect:
He don't like fish.

Correct:
He doesn't|didn't like fish.
Incorrect:
At her party, everybody don't like the music.

Correct:
At her party, everybody doesn't|didn't like the music.
Incorrect:
At my party, nobody don't like the music.

Correct:
At my party, nobody doesn't|didn't like the music.
Incorrect:
It don't work correctly.

Correct:
It doesn't|didn't work correctly.
Correct:
He doesn't like fish.
Correct:
She didn't like fish when she was young, but she likes it now.
Incorrect:
He really don't like it.

Correct:
He really doesn't|didn't like it.
Correct:
He really doesn't like it.
Correct:
He really didn't like it.
Correct:
If we expect the negative, we will usually receive it so don't listen to the world's negative talk.
Correct:
I don't like it therefore don't expect me to buy it.
Correct:
They don't know about it thus don't listen to them.
Correct:
She doesn't know anyone therefore don't expect her to go to the party.

Incorrect:
Someone else walk to the building.

Correct:
Someone else walks|walked to the building.
Incorrect:
Somebody else enter the building.

Correct:
Somebody else enters|entered the building.
Correct:
Nobody else walks to the building.
Correct:
Nobody walked to the building.
Correct:
They did not meet with anyone else while in Germany.
Correct:
Annie was uncomfortable with anyone else being in charge.
Correct:
God has given you too much money when you have someone else tend your vegetable garden.
Correct:
... and anyone else finding the work too difficult must tell the manager.
Incorrect:
Someone else always walk to the building.

Correct:
Someone else always walks|walked to the building.
Incorrect:
Somebody else usually enter the building.

Correct:
Somebody else usually enters|entered the building.
Correct:
Nobody else usually walks to the building.
Correct:
Somebody else occasionally walked to the building.
Correct:
... Cromwell, had banished "makers", or anyone else demonstrating "knacks" (an ability to perform seemingly ...
Correct:
If I need to run this by someone else please let me know.
Correct:
Tom has a reputation of never letting anyone else say anything.
Correct:
Had a terrific time with Su, Laura, and Mother, and wish I could get Mother with someone else while I'm having to work.

Correct:
She recommended that he walk to the building.
Incorrect:
She recommended that he walking to the building.

Correct:
She recommended that he walk to the building.
Correct:
He walked to the building.

Incorrect:
Ann walk to the building.

Correct:
Ann walks|walked to the building.
Incorrect:
Peter walk to the building.

Correct:
Peter walks|walked to the building.
Incorrect:
Microsoft speak to the customers.

Correct:
Microsoft speaks|spoke to the customers.
Incorrect:
Harry speak to the customers.

Correct:
Harry speaks|spoke to the customers.
Incorrect:
Art provide a means to express the...

Correct:
Art provides|provided a means to express the...
Incorrect:
I expect Enron sign up exclusive agreements with LNG suppliers.

Correct:
I expect Enron signs|signed up exclusive agreements with LNG suppliers.
Correct:
Bill walks to the building.
Correct:
Guinness walked to the building.
Correct:
Roosevelt and Hoover speak each other's lines.
Correct:
He lets Google know that we have ...
Correct:
- Right click on the item.
Correct:
We don't know what the old law and the Patriot Act have in common.
Correct:
See screenshot below.
Correct:
Turkey breast with bacon
Correct:
Peace be with you.
Correct:
We should increase LanguageTool cache to handle larger files
Correct:
Boys are at higher risk for autism than girls.
Correct:
In reply, he said he was too old for this.
Correct:
I can see Bill looking through the window.
Correct:
Please join me in wishing Teri well in her new career.
Correct:
We wish Jeff well in his new endeavor.
Correct:
Ah yes the wonderful world.
Correct:
May be of interest from a licensing perspective.
Correct:
I liked Tom better before he got married.
Correct:
The group briefed EPA staff from the Administrator's office.
Correct:
Accordingly, we will be coordinating with SoCalGas and FERC's ADR group to explore possible ADR procedures.
Correct:
Hell, Steven summons a gigantic ...
Correct:
What does abbreviation DNA stand for?
Correct:
Please let his TL know about this.
Correct:
Cook rice for dinner.
Correct:
Amazon.com, Citibank join for credit Amazon.com introduced the Amazon Credit Account, the online equivalent of a department store credit card.
Correct:
Richard J. Hughes made his Morris County debut in his bid for the Democratic gubernatorial elections.
Correct:
... last night got its seven-concert Beethoven cycle at Carnegie Hall off to a good start.
Correct:
... and through knowing Him better to become happier and more effective people.
Correct:
The library and Medical Center are to the north.
Correct:
The present Federal program of vocational education began in 1917.
Correct:
Before 2009, it was the only Philippine company to do so.
Correct:
The Ugaritic tablets from the fourteenth century BC preserve the alphabet in two sequences.
Correct:
He rebounded from his Wimbledon defeat by winning the US Open.
Correct:
The amendment became part of the Republican / Unionist platform in the election of 1864.
Correct:
The amendment became part of the Republican/Unionist platform in the election of 1864.
Correct:
Facebook tries to explain their practices in ways that make Facebook look like the good guy.
Correct:
The initials USA stand for the United States of America.
Correct:
The couple has been falling out over what TV program to watch for over a week.
Correct:
God grant that you come home safe and sound.
Correct:
God bless the United States of America.
Correct:
Ask people to help.
Correct:
Gantt chart that shows data
Correct:
… by Muslims, including "Subhan-Allah" (Holiness be to God).
Correct:
… by Muslims, including “Subhan-Allah” (Holiness be to God).
Correct:
We elected Jeffrey captain of our team.
Correct:
FBI file on Albert Einstein
Correct:
… to reproduce the statistics of a Bose–Einstein gas by considering a box.
Correct:
The oil sands of Alberta, Canada are a similar material.
Correct:
... Lumet led a successful campaign to have Kurosawa receive an Oscar nomination for Best Director that year...
Correct:
...small bodies database Current down-loadable ASCII table of orbit data and absolute...
Correct:
Add your Google calendar to your mobile phone.
Correct:
...1802 – William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, see a "long belt" of daffodils, inspiring the former ...
Correct:
The people of Antigua \u0026amp; Barbuda enjoy a more-than-90% literacy rate.
Correct:
... gave Spider-Man a new profession, having Parker teach at his former high school.
Correct:
Many provinces of the Anglican Communion ordain both women and men as deacons.
Correct:
All provinces of the Anglican Communion consist of dioceses, each under the jurisdiction of a ...
Correct:
Recommendations concerning Units (HTML version of the IAU Style Manual)
Correct:
I created a PO Box address by mistake.
Correct:
I Google stuff before I say it
Correct:
Energy use in California.
Correct:
Milne extract in the Guardian
Correct:
Asteraceae have a cosmopolitan distribution, and are found...
Correct:
...are made in Adelaide at the General Motors Holden plant in Elizabeth.
Correct:
England are the current holders after winning the Ashes in ...
Correct:
May contain an occasional shell fragment.
Correct:
He said: "Good luck to you"
Correct:
Johnson \u0026amp; Trump are both English-speaking leaders.
Correct:
YouTube channel for cooking videos.
Correct:
He was required to put Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal into law.
Correct:
Jake: So explain to me why you are unhappy.
Correct:
You can expect a new Chrome release every six weeks.
Correct:
You can expect the newer LanguageTool release every six weeks.
Correct:
You can expect the new LanguageTool release after three weeks.
Correct:
Beta decay either increases or decreases the atomic number of the nucleus by one.
Correct:
Elevations in the Lesser Caucasus vary between...
Correct:
Please move your May bill to June.
Correct:
1802 – William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy see a "long belt" of daffodils...
Correct:
Online Athens guide with news and events
Correct:
... also is available on the Alumni Association Web site at 10.
Correct:
Foreign Investment Advisory Service launches updated Web site For more information, please contact FIAS at [email protected].
Correct:
More information is available through NRDC's Web site at www.nrdc.org.
Correct:
Chevron Corp. The people who market Houston say this is not just a local problem.
Correct:
Going lower into the deep.
Correct:
Gouda cheese per 100g
Correct:
BBC article on Wallace and Indonesia's efforts to honour him
Correct:
We might also assist Enron sign up exclusive agreements with LNG suppliers.
Correct:
"Harry get up!" I yelled.
Correct:
Similar to the Tropicana acquisition, this strategic move gave PepsiCo leverage against Coca-Cola, owner of Powerade.
Correct:
The position offered no salary, but it gave Coolidge experience in the political world.
Correct:
The Ajanta Caves (Ajiṇṭhā leni; Marathi: अजिंठा लेणी) in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE.
Correct:
Didn't Tom go to Mary's house?
Correct:
They have asked that we get GE sign off on the attached documents.
Correct:
Begin travel on Saturday, March 16 and return Monday, March 18 or Tuesday, March 19, 2002.
Correct:
Web exhibit at the American Institute of Physics.
Correct:
Mama, Papa, and big sister Monica are all doing well.
Correct:
... some areas supplying the Pacific Northwest are under some pressure.
Correct:
How many kids named Tom are in your class?
Correct:
Peace be upon you.
Correct:
Can an omnipotent God create a stone so heavy that even He may not lift it?
Correct:
Cardinals governing a particular Church retain that church.
Correct:
The thick clouds which cover Venus cause a "greenhouse effect".
Correct:
Several armored units of the modern United States Army retain the designation of "Armoured cavalry".
Correct:
The United States Navy, the Russian Navy, and the Peruvian Navy are the only remaining navies which operate cruisers.
Correct:
Although the waters surrounding the Dominican Republic abound with fish, the fishing industry is comparatively undeveloped, and fish for local consumption are imported.

Incorrect:
Have she bought a ticket?

Correct:
Has she bought a ticket?
Incorrect:
Are he or Tom really happy?

Correct:
Is he or Tom really happy?
Correct:
Has anyone done this?
Correct:
Are he and Tom really happy?

Incorrect:
Have Mary bought a ticket?

Correct:
Has Mary bought a ticket?
Correct:
Has Jack done this?
Correct:
Are NASA images really taken from space?
Correct:
Are Adrian and John related to each other?
Correct:
Have Mary or John been to Darmstadt?
Correct:
Have Mary \u0026amp; Jane finished the work?
Correct:
Are NASA publicity test images really taken from space?
Correct:
Have Faith in God.
Correct:
Have US export restrictions catalysed a new wave of investment in self-sufficiency?

Incorrect:
When have he bought a ticket?

Correct:
When has he bought a ticket?
Correct:
Why has anyone done this?

Incorrect:
When have Mary bought a ticket?

Correct:
When has Mary bought a ticket?
Incorrect:
What are Albert’s option?

Correct:
What is Albert’s option?
Correct:
Why has Mary done this?
Correct:
Which are Taro's?
Correct:
What are Simon and his girlfriend doing?
Correct:
How are Victor and Carl related?
Correct:
Why have Janet and John gone to Hull?
Correct:
What are TCS competitors?
Correct:
How are Theodore and Jimbo related?
Correct:
What are Albert’s options?
Correct:
What are Polonius’ options?
Correct:
Why have Albert’s real options been restricted?
Correct:
How have Polonius’ important tests been compromised?
Correct:
What are Polonius' and King Claudius' plans for spying?
Correct:
What are Polonius' and King Claudius' usual plans for spying?
Correct:
What have Polonius' and the team's plans for spying got to do with me?
Correct:
How have Polonius and the team's unnecessary tests helped us?
Correct:
How are DNA sequence and DNA material working?
Correct:
How are Chris Evans \u0026amp; Jennifer Aniston?
Correct:
How are DNA test sequences important?
Correct:
How are DNA test sequence or DNA material working?
Correct:
How are Chris John Jones \u0026amp; Jennifer Aniston related?

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