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