October 4th, 2010 
Admin Question by BUTCH666: I am confused with subject/verb agreement. Can a person say, “If one do not know the answer, …”?
Can I say, “If one do not know the answer,….” or must I say, “If one does not know the answer,…” I realize the subject and verb have to agree, but some say, “If I were a bird,”…. the subject and verb do not agree here.
Best answer:
Answer by Vinnie B
Vinny B probly sayin shiot that way – tht why evreyone complagning on him. Life go on tho.
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The correct way would be… “If one does not know the answer”
The English language has a lot of contradictions!
You must say “one does”.
“If I were a bird” is a different situation–”were” is the correct subjunctive form of “to be”, although many people just use the simple past to express that idea. (If I was a bird)
Ordinarily, a singular noun uses the singular form of the
verb, but there are times when we let people slide on that.
Especially if “wrong” sounds more poetical…
Say it both ways, you’ll get my meaning.
does not is correct