Subject/Verb Agreement
(1)
Name __________________________________ Date ________________ Period _____

A verb agrees with its subject in ___________________________________.

The number of a subject is not changed by an ______________________________
________________________________________ between the subject and the verb.
Examples:
a. The descriptions in the poem about Paul Revere almost (makes / make) me forget where I am.
b. Every student who wants to pass Miss Griffin’s class (memorizes / memorize) a few lines of a
poem.
Exercise A ~ Circle the form of the verb in parentheses that agrees with its subject.
1. The capacious houses on my block (has / have) four stories.
2. My favorite collection of poems (is / are) Where the Sidewalk Ends.
3. People in some states (observe / observes) the fourth Friday in September as Native American
Day.
4. The crowd, listening to the storyteller, (was / were) spellbound.
5. The cucumbers in my garden (grow / grows) very quickly.
6. The arbitrary decision of the umpires (was / were) overruled.
7. The depth of some of these lakes (has / have) never been measured.
8. His answers to our question (change / changes) everything.
9. Clarity in writing and speaking (are / is) paramount to success.
10. Those birds flying through the trees (is / are) finches.
11. The book on ancient legends (was / were) interesting.
Exercise B ~ Place an S above the subject of the verb in parentheses. Then circle the form of the verb
in parentheses that agrees with its subject.
1. Koalas in the wild and in captivity (eat / eats) only eucalyptus leaves.
2. The skaters, moving effortlessly, (dance / dances) across the ice.
3. Some lighthouses on the coast (has / have) not been occupied for years.
4. The mean cockroaches in the ramshackle building (laugh / laughs) at Raid!
5. Nell, with her three dogs close behind, (run / runs) through the park every day.
6. The seams in my new coat (has split / have split) after only two days.
7. The postal clerk, hurrying, (place / places) the mail in the wrong place.
8. One of my son’s worst habits (is / are) leaving an assortment of dirty plates on the kitchen
counter every morning.
9. The rust spots on the back of Maria’s car (require / requires) cleaning with a special kind of
polish.
10. The collection of medicine bottles in my bathroom (overflow / overflows) the cabinet shelves.
11. The book that Steve ordered (have / has) arrived at the book store.
12. The water (drip / drips) from the rain spout.
13. The competitive sprinters (dash / dashes) across the finish line.
14. Her plan to eat healthily (was / were) interesting.
15. We (water / waters) all of our plants each week.
16. The new carpets (cover / covers) the floors in the whole house.
17. The ring that I lost on the beach last summer (belong / belongs) to my great-grandmother.
18. My parents (have / has) been thinking about moving to a new house.
19. Every Saturday I (clean / cleans) my room.
20. The dexterous ballet dancers (float / floats) across the stage like angels.
_________________________ INDEPENDENT PRACTICE _________________________
Circle the form of the verb in parentheses that agrees with its subject. On the line before each
sentence, classify each italicized word by writing S for singular or P for plural.
_____ 1. It is amazing that oysters (create / creates) such beautiful pearls.
_____ 2. In the spring, trees (sprout / sprouts) leaves quickly when it rains.
_____ 3. The author whom I’ve chosen for my report (is / are) Amy Tan.
_____ 4. Tomorrow’s championship game (has / have) been rescheduled.
_____ 5. The man who arrived late (look / looks) like my grandfather.
_____ 6. Our local library (offer / offers) a huge selection of best-sellers.
_____ 7. The winner of the grand prize (is / are) the spaniel.
_____ 8. Musicians from our high school (perform / performs) at the end of the show.
_____ 9. Concerned parents (is / are) encouraging their children to wear sunscreen.
_____ 10. The animals that live in the game preserve (is / are) protected from hunters.
Subject/Verb Agreement
(2)
Name ______________________________________ Date __________________ Period _____
Singular Subjects
Singular subjects agree with singular verbs. The following singular indefinite pronouns can function
as subjects of sentences and therefore require singular verbs:
another
anybody
anyone
anything
each
either
everybody
everyone
everything
neither
nobody
no one
one
somebody
someone
something
Examples:
a.
Neither [of the two candidates] (was / were) present.
b.
Each [of these shirts] (cost / costs) twelve dollars.
Exercise A ~ Circle the form of the verb in parentheses that agrees with the subject.
1. Either of the disc jockeys ( have / has ) brought the records.
2. Neither of my sisters ( enjoys / enjoy ) gardening.
3. Neither of my brothers ( have / has ) a car.
4. One of my cousins ( watch / watches ) videos every day.
5. Each of the marchers ( was / were ) carrying a sign.
6. No one passing the store window ( notice / notices ) the sparkling holiday display.
7. In the corner ( stands / stand ) one of the disgruntled suspects.
8. Everybody in Mr. Cooper’s and Mrs. Oliver’s classes ( files / file ) down to the lab.
9. Everyone who eats his or her vegetables ( get / gets ) dessert!
10. Every one of the tantalizing cakes ( is / are ) gone.
11. Nobody ( knows / know ) why the neighbors moved out so quickly.
12. Each of the girls (sing / sings ) well.
13. Each of us ( pull / pulls ) obtrusive weeds in the garden every day.
14. Everyone waiting for the bus in the rain ( was / were ) completely drenched.
15. One of the advantages of learning a foreign language ( is / are ) the ability to read the literature
of that language.
16. Everybody ( is / are ) quite likely to have some trouble with accents, too.
17. Either of my grandparents ( drive / drives ) the car.
18. Anyone who has a ticket ( is / are ) eligible to win a prize.
19. Neither of the plays ( was / were ) very interesting.
20. Someone in the next room ( has / have ) broken the mirror in the hall.
Plural Subjects
Plural subjects agree with plural verbs. The following plural indefinite pronouns can function as
subjects of sentences. They require plural verbs:
both
few
many
several
Examples:
a.
Both [of the maples] [in our front yard] (turn / turns) red in the fall.
b.
Many [of the group] (prefer / prefers) reading to partying.
Exercise B ~ Circle the form of the verb in parentheses that agrees with the subject.
1. Several of the novels written by this author ( is / are ) interesting to young people.
2. Many ( find / finds ) Spanish a useful language to know.
3. Many of my classmates ( like / likes ) to read Greek myths.
4. Several ( prefer / prefers ) the legends of Hercules, the great hero.
5. A few of the students ( stages / stage ) a myth every year.
6. Both of the strongest boys in the class ( wants / want ) to be Hercules.
7. Several, however, ( seems / seem ) to prefer the myths involving the gods and goddesses.
8. Both of the girls with long hair ( want / wants ) to cut it.
9. Many of the boys ( are / is ) hoping to play football this year.
10. Few in our class ( like / likes ) the idea of impersonating Hades, the god of the underworld.
11. Many ( think / thinks ) that living on Mount Olympus would be high adventure.
12. In the storage closet ( is / are ) the decorations for the holiday.
13. Several of the volunteers who have extra time ( have / has ) offered to create sets.
14. Both of my pen pals ( write / writes ) to me regularly.
15. Many in our group ( is / are ) entering the lucrative contest.
Singular or Plural Subjects
The following pronouns may be either singular or plural:
all
any
most
none
some
Note: This is an exception to the first rule you learned about intervening phrases or clauses
because the number of the pronoun must be determined by the phrase/clause following it.
Examples:
a.
Most of the day (is / are) over.
b.
Most of the children (was / were) crying.
Exercise C ~ Circle the form of the verb in parentheses that agrees with its subject.
1. Some of the restaurants featured in our itinerary ( offers / offer ) children’s menus.
2. All of her coworkers ( has / have ) had the same work schedule.
3. ( Is / Are ) any of the pie left on the plate?
4. Most of the applicants on the list ( qualify / qualifies ) for the job.
5. None of the flights seem to ( arrive / arrives ) on time.
6. All of the band members ( want / wants ) to record a hit song.
7. ( Is / Are ) any of the bread stale?
8. Most of the computerized systems in my new job ( is / are ) fun to use.
9. Most of that song, sung repeatedly by many artists, ( is / are ) repetitious.
10. Some of the athletes ( like / likes ) to compete against other schools.
11. All of the airlines ( offer / offers ) a hot dinner on their evening flights.
12. All of the jurors ( agree / agrees ) that the defendant is innocent.
13. Some of the theatre students ( work / works ) backstage.
14. Most of the problem ( stems / stem ) from a lack of resources on the land.
15. Some of the money ( were / was ) used to erect a hospital for children.
______________________________ MIXED PRACTICE ______________________________
1. Everyone in my neighborhood (plan / plans) to join the block association.
2. Both of the coaches (work / works) with us every afternoon after school.
3. Neither of those roads (lead / leads) to our favorite campsite.
4. No one, having great respect for the professor, (want / wants) to contradict him.
5. Some of the baseball cards I have been collecting (is / are ) valuable.
6. Several of the experts (doubt / doubts) the wisdom of taking huge doses of vitamins.
7. None of the dogs (have / has) learned new tricks.
8. Most of the windows in the old house (is / are) broken.
9. Each of the managers participating in the program (hire / hires) students in the summer.
10. Somebody who plays the piano (write / writes) the music for the recital as well.
Subject/Verb Agreement
(3)
Name:
Period:
_______________________________ subjects may cause a problem.
Most subjects joined by and are plural and take plural verbs. (“And” usually means PLUS. + = PLURAL.)
HOWEVER, please note: When a compound subject is considered as a unit, not as two distinct things, it takes a
_______________________________ verb.
Examples:
Kaitlyn and Karl are studying vocabulary words.
Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite lunch.
The president of our class and leader of the committee is helping with the planning.
Practice:
Identify the subjects and the verbs that agree with them.
1. A truck and a sedan (were/was) in the ditch.
2. Macaroni and cheese (are/is) the cafeteria special today.
3. English and science (requires/require) hours of study.
When compound subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Example:
Neither my sister nor my brothers rake the leaves without protesting.
Either gymnastics or drama is my favorite extra curricular activity.
Practice:
1. Either Lucille or Maddie (has/have) a dress like that.
2. Neither Joe nor his friends (want/wants) the job.
3. (Does/ Do) any of the flashlights or the lantern need a new battery?
4. (Is/ Are) the lantern or the flashlights in a place where we can find them?
5. Either the judge or the lawyers (are/is) wrong.
6. Neither the refrigerator nor the stove (have/has) been installed.
7. Her cat and his dogs (is/are) always fighting.
8. Either my horse or hers always (wins/win).
9. Either my mom or the neighbors always (hosts/host) the spring fling in our development.
10. Sunflower seeds or popcorn (makes/make) a delicious snack.
Subject/Verb Agreement
(3)
p. 2
------------------------------------------------------------ Mixed Practice ------------------------------------------------------------
1. Amber and her brother (likes / like) to paint.
2. (Is / Are) macaroni and cheese on today’s lunch menu?
3. Either a ticket or a season pass (allows / allow) us to enter the museum.
4. A robin and her babies (lives / live) in a nearby tree.
5. Neither fruits nor vegetables (was / were) on the table when we arrived.
6. The eminent doctor or the physician’s assistant (is / are) always available to answer your questions.
7. Peanut butter and jelly (is / are) a favorite sandwich for many children.
8. Both children and adults (enjoys / enjoy) the rides at Hershey Park.
9. Either the mailman or the construction workers (is / are) causing the dog to bark like crazy!
10. Because of environmental concerns, many cities and towns no longer (incinerates / incinerate) their garbage.
11. Neither a bouquet of flowers nor a box of chocolates (makes / make) a suitable gift for this occasion.
12. Rice and beans, my sister’s favorite dish, (reminds / remind) her of our native Puerto Rico.
13. Either Franco or his teammates (calls / call) the plays.
14. Do you know if Wesley or Jacob (is / are) going to lead the parade on Saturday?
15. Joann and her husband (needs / need) a ride home from the airport.
What do you remember?
List 3 to 5 things you remember about subject/verb agreement OTHER THAN verbs agreeing with compound
subjects:
1. ________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________________________________
Subject/Verb Agreement (4)
Name:
Period:
______________________________ nouns used as subjects may be either singular or plural.
The noun is singular when it refers to the group as a ____________________________________________ .
The noun is plural when it refers to the individuals in the group acting ______________________________ .
Examples:
The jury (was / were) presenting the verdict to the judge.
The jury (was / were) discussing the case in the jury room.
Practice:
Explain why each of these sentences is correct.
1a. The crowd were fighting for their lives. ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
1b. The crowd was a quiet one. ______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2a. The team were talking over some new plays. _________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2b. The team was the best in the country. _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Some nouns that end in -s look plural but are actually singular.
Examples:
Measles is a common ailment.
World economics has a direct bearing on world peace.
Physics requires a good imagination.
Pediatrics is a branch of medicine dealing with infants and children.
Subject/Verb Agreement (4)
p. 2
Titles of works of art, literature, and music are singular even if they end in –s.
Examples:
The Outsiders is a popular young adult novel.
Great Expectations is a novel you will read in ninth grade.
A Tale of Two Cities is being shown in English today.
Words and phrases that express weights, measures, numbers, amounts of money, and
lengths of time are often treated as singular.
Examples:
Three pounds is the approximate weight of an adult human’s brain.
Five hours was a long time to wait for lunch.
Fifteen dollars is too much to spend on a movie ticket!
Three teaspoons of sugar is too much for me.
Subject/Verb Agreement (5)
Name :
Period:
_______________ and ____________________ must agree with their subjects. Use don’t
with plural subjects and with the pronouns I and you. Use doesn’t with all other subjects.
Examples:
I don’t remember the score.
Ironically, the chief of the firefighters doesn’t like hot weather.
You don’t mean to say that he doesn’t deserve the award, do you?
A verb agrees with its subject and not with its ______________________________________.
Examples:
The best time to visit (is / are) weekday mornings.
Weekday mornings (is / are) the best time to visit.
Practice:
1. The best gift (was/were) the clothes that you sent us.
2. The clothes that you sent us (was/were) the best gift.
3. The biggest problem in gardening (is/are) the weeds.
4. Weeds (is/are) the biggest problem in gardening.
When the subject follows the verb as in sentences beginning with ______________________________ and
_____________________________ and in questions, find the subject and make sure the verb agrees with it.
Examples:
Here is my seat.
There are exciting rides at the fair.
Practice:
Which ones are correct? Why?
↓
1. There’s more cookies in the cookie jar. ________________________________________________________
2. There are fourteen thousand people in my town. ________________________________________________
3. Here’s my umbrella. _______________________________________________________________________
4. Where are my boots? ______________________________________________________________________
5. Here are the CDs I borrowed. _____________________________________________
6. There’s no easy answer to that question. _____________________________________