Subject and Verb Agreement

Agreement in Number sheet 1

A verb must agree in number with its subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Most problems occur when the wrong word is assumed to be the subject. Remember, the subject is never found in a prepositional phrase. Watch out for phrases that lie between the verb and the subject.

One of my gloves is torn.

Phrases beginning with the words: with, along with, together with, including, as well as, and in addition to, are not part of the subject.

Verbs ending in “s” are singular.

Directions: Write the subject. Select the verb that agrees with the subject in number.

1. The snow on the sidewalks (is, are) melting.
2. One of the telephones (is, are) out of order.
3. Several of the tomato plants (is, are) bearing fruit.
4. The coach, along with all the players, (was, were) interviewed on television.
5. The nurses at Dr. Stone’s office always (seem, seems) pleasant.
6. The artwork on the gallery walls (is, are) priceless.
7. My wallet, as well as my bus tokens, (was, were) stolen.
8. Each of my brothers (want, wants) to borrow my bicycle.
9. John, with his two friends, (are, is) using my football.
10. The students in our school (like, likes) our principal.
11. Not one of the field trip buses (has, have) arrived yet.
12. A plate of sandwiches (is, are) on the table for you and Rebecca.
13. Chicago, together with its suburbs, (extend, extends) more than twenty miles along the lake shore.
14. Nether of the contestants (play, plays) fair.
15. An energy source from the seas (is, are) being developed.
16. Every one of the babies (were, was) crying.
17. My allowance, together with my birthday money, (is, are) just enough to buy new boots.
18. The books in the locker (are, is) due at the library.
19. The windows on the second floor (was, were) locked.
20. The fir, as well as the holly bush, (stays, stay) green.