主谓一致指“人称”和“数”方面的一致关系。对大多数人来说，往往会在掌握主语和随后的谓语动词之间的一致问题上遇到困难。一般情况下，主谓之间的一致关系由以下三个原则的支配： 语法一致原则(grammatical concord) ；意义一致原则(notional concord)； 就近原则 (principle of proximity)。
1. 并列结构作主语时谓语用复数
The reading and writing are very important.
注意： 当主语由and连结时，如果它表示一个单一的概念，即指同一人或同一物时，谓语动词用单数，and 此时连接的两个词前只有一个冠词，共用一个冠词用单数，表示一人兼两职。
The iron and steel industry is very important to our life.
The League secretary and monitor ___ asked to make a speech at the meeting.
A. is B. was C. are D. were
答案B. 注: 先从时态上考虑.这是过去发生的事情应用过去时,先排除A.,C..本题易误选D,因为The League secretary and monitor 好象是两个人,但仔细辨别, monitor 前没有the,在英语中,当一人兼数职时只在第一个职务前加定冠词.后面的职务用and 相连.这样本题主语为一个人,所以应选B.
2. 主谓一致中的就近原则
当there be 句型的主语是一系列事物时,谓语应与最邻近的主语保持一致.
There is a pen, a knife and several books on the desk..
There are twenty boy-students and twenty-three girl-students in the class.
总的来说，在由not only…but also…, not just…but…, or, either…or…, neither…nor…连接主语的句子中及在there be句型中，谓语动词的单复数按就近原则处理，即按与谓语动词最靠近的那个主语来确定谓语动词的单复数形式。如：
Not only John but also I am going to Shanghai next week.
Either you or she is to go.
Here is a pen, a few envelops and some paper for you.
3. 谓语动词与前面的主语一致
当主语后面跟有with, together with, like, except, but, no less than, as well as 等词引起的短语时,谓语动词与前面的主语一致.
The teacher together with some students is visiting the factory.
He as well as I wants to go boating.