Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?

• A. They were brothers.
• B. They is brothers.
• C. They are brothers.
• D. They be brothers.

Answer: (D)

Subject-verb agreement means the verb must reflect the subject’s number. With a plural subject like “they,” you use a plural verb.

Using are in present tense matches the plural subject, so “They are brothers” is correct in standard modern English. It shows the verb agreeing with the plural subject right now.

Another standard, correct option would be “They were brothers” in past tense—the past form “were” also agrees with the plural subject.

The form “They is brothers” uses a singular verb (“is”) with a plural subject, which breaks the agreement rule and sounds incorrect in formal English.

The form “They be brothers” is nonstandard in most contexts; it reflects dialect or archaic/subjunctive usage, not the ordinary present-tense agreement expected in standard written English.

So, the clearest demonstration of correct subject-verb agreement in present-tense standard English is the sentence that uses the plural verb are with the plural subject they. Always match the verb form to the subject’s number to keep agreement clear.