Include vs. Includes – Which is Correct?

The choice between “include” and “includes” hinges entirely on subject-verb agreement. Both are correct forms of the verb “to include,” but “include” is used with plural subjects and pronouns like “I,” “you,” “we,” and “they,” while “includes” is used with singular subjects and pronouns like “he,” “she,” and “it.”

Include or Includes – Which is Correct?

Both “include” and “includes” are grammatically correct, active forms of the verb “to include.” The distinction lies in their application based on the subject of the sentence. This is a fundamental rule of English grammar known as subject-verb agreement.

Use “include” when the subject is plural (e.g., “The documents,” “Many items”) or when the subject is one of the pronouns: I, you, we, or they. This is the base form of the verb.

Use “includes” when the subject is singular (e.g., “The package,” “The report”) or when the subject is one of the third-person singular pronouns: he, she, or it. The “-s” ending signifies the third-person singular present tense.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember whether to use “include” or “includes,” think about the “S” for “Singular.”

• If your subject is Singular, your verb often needs an “S” (e.g., “The list includes…”).
• If your subject is Plural, the verb typically does not need an “S” (e.g., “The lists include…”).

This simple trick will guide you in most present tense scenarios, ensuring your subjects and verbs agree.

These same principles of subject-verb agreement are crucial when considering other common verb pairs, such as Choose vs. Chooses.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Include	Verb	To have as part of a whole; to contain. (Used with plural subjects or I/you/we/they)	The ingredients include flour and sugar.
Includes	Verb	To have as part of a whole; to contain. (Used with singular subjects or he/she/it)	This recipe includes a secret spice.

How to Use Include

“Include” is the base form of the verb, used when the subject is plural or one of the pronouns I, you, we, or they. It denotes the act of making something part of a larger whole, encompassing or containing it. This form is common in both formal and casual contexts, often found in lists, descriptions, and instructions where multiple items are involved.

Example 1: The presentation slides include detailed charts and graphs for the quarterly review.

Example 2: We include a complimentary dessert with every main course ordered on Tuesdays.

Example 3: If you include all the necessary information, your application will be processed quickly.

What are the different forms of Include?

As a regular verb, “include” follows standard conjugation patterns:

• Base Form (Present Simple, plural/I/you/we/they): include (e.g., “They include”)
• Third-Person Singular Present Simple: includes (e.g., “She includes”)
• Past Simple: included (e.g., “He included”)
• Past Participle: included (e.g., “It has included”)
• Present Participle/Gerund: including (e.g., “Including all options”)

Etymology of the word Include

The word “include” traces its origins back to the Latin verb includere, which means “to shut in, to enclose, to contain.” This Latin term is formed from in- (meaning “in, into”) and claudere (meaning “to shut”). It entered English in the late 14th century, maintaining its core meaning of encompassing or containing something within boundaries or as part of a larger entity.

How to Use Includes

“Includes” is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb “to include.” It is used when the subject is singular (e.g., “The book,” “The price”) or one of the third-person singular pronouns: he, she, or it. This form emphasizes that a single entity or item contains, comprises, or makes something else a part of itself. It is widely used in descriptions, specifications, and factual statements.

Example 1: The software package includes a one-year subscription to premium features.

Example 2: Sarah’s job description includes managing client relations and project coordination.

Example 3: The total cost includes shipping and handling fees, so there are no hidden charges.

What are the different forms of Includes?

“Includes” is itself a specific form of the verb “to include” – the third-person singular present simple tense. The other forms of the verb are: “include” (base form), “included” (past simple and past participle), and “including” (present participle/gerund).

Etymology of the word Includes

As “includes” is a conjugated form of “include,” its etymology is identical. It derives from the Latin includere, meaning “to shut in, to enclose, to contain,” formed from in- (“in, into”) and claudere (“to shut”). The “-s” ending is a grammatical inflection added in English to denote the third-person singular present tense, a pattern established over centuries of language evolution.

Related Concepts

Understanding the broader grammatical concepts related to verbs and sentence structure can clarify why “include” and “includes” are used differently.

• Subject-Verb Agreement: This is the fundamental rule dictating that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. “Include” and “includes” are a prime example of this rule in action.
• Verb Conjugation: This refers to the process of changing a verb’s form to reflect person (first, second, third), number (singular, plural), tense (present, past, future), mood, and voice. “Include” and “includes” represent different conjugations of the same verb in the present tense.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “The digital deluxe edition of the game includes exclusive in-game items and a bonus soundtrack.” — (Video Game News Article, June 2026)
• “Her new novel, which received critical acclaim, will include a preface written by a renowned literary critic.” — (Book Review, The New York Times, 2024)
• “The comprehensive disaster preparedness plan includes evacuation routes, emergency contact information, and supply checklists for every household.” — (Local Government Bulletin, 2025)
• “To truly understand the culture, you must include the local traditions and festivals in your itinerary.” — (Travel Guide, 2023)
• “What the mind includes, the heart often embraces.” — (Proverbial saying, adapted for context)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The new museum exhibit ________ artifacts from ancient civilizations.
2. My responsibilities at work ________ daily reports and client meetings.
3. Each student’s portfolio ________ a reflective essay and several creative pieces.
4. We always ________ fresh vegetables in our stir-fry recipes.
5. The travel package ________ flights, accommodation, and a guided city tour.

Answer Key

1. includes
2. include
3. includes
4. include
5. includes

Include Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Comprise	To consist of; to be made up of.
Contain	To have or hold (something) within.
Encompass	To surround and have or hold within; to cover a wide range of subjects.
Incorporate	To take in or contain (something) as part of a whole; to combine.
Embrace	To accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically. (Can also mean to contain or include broadly)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “include” be used in the past tense?
Yes, the past tense form of “include” is “included.” For example, “Yesterday’s agenda included a discussion on the budget.”

Question 2: Is “including” related to “include” and “includes”?
Yes, “including” is the present participle form of the verb “to include.” It often functions as a preposition meaning “containing as part of a group” or “such as.” For example, “All employees, including new hires, must attend the training.”

Question 3: How do I know if a collective noun takes “include” or “includes”?
Collective nouns (like “team,” “family,” “committee”) can be tricky. If the collective noun is acting as a single unit, use “includes” (e.g., “The team includes three new members”). If the members of the collective noun are acting individually, use “include” (e.g., “The team members include diverse skill sets”). In most formal contexts, treating collective nouns as singular is preferred.

Conclusion

The distinction between “include” and “includes” is a classic example of subject-verb agreement in English grammar. While both are correct forms of the same verb, “include” is used with plural subjects and the pronouns I, you, we, and they, whereas “includes” is reserved for singular subjects and the pronouns he, she, and it. Mastering this difference ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing and speech. A strong grasp of subject-verb agreement is crucial for maintaining a professional and credible image in all forms of communication.