Subject and Verb Agreement

Compound Subjects 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.

 

Compound subjects joined by “and” require a plural verb.

            The sheets and the blankets are in the closet.

            Tests and answer sheets were distributed.

 

When parts of a compound subject are joined by “or” or “nor”, the verb agrees with the part nearer to it.

            Neither my bathrobe nor my slippers were packed.

            Neither my slippers nor my bathrobe was packed.

 

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

 

  1. Judy and her sister (want, wants) to borrow a wrench.
  2. Either a teacher or two parents (ride, rides) on each bus.
  3. A book and some papers (was, were) left in the desk.
  4. Rest and fruit juices (is, are) good for anyone who has the flu.
  5. The crewmembers and the pilot (was, were) not injured.
  6. Either my aunt or my grandparents (drive, drives) me home.
  7. Both beagles and basset hounds (howl, howls) a lot.
  8. Neither the players nor the coach (has, have) left the locker room yet.
  9. Either Laurie or Mike (take, takes) the garbage out after dinner.
  10. Both Sandi and Bob (take, takes) the school bus.
  11. Math and science (is, are) Angelo’s hardest subjects.
  12. Either the film or the negatives (was, were) damaged.
  13. Bonnie and her sisters (is, are) giving a party.
  14. Neither a parent nor a child (need, needs) a special pass to enter.
  15. The daily newspaper and the television announcers (tell, tells) about the election results.
  16. Chuck and Richie (hasn’t, haven’t) turned in their equipment yet.
  17. Either Ms. Meade or her assistants (has, have) the papers.
  18. Neither milk nor eggs (was, were) on sale.
  19. Both potato chips and pretzels (has, have) a high salt content.
  20. Our group leader and some volunteers always (bring, brings) refreshments.