Subject/Verb Agreement
(3)
Name __________________________________ Date ________________ Period _____
Compound Subjects
Compound subjects joined by and usually take plural verbs.
Example:
Kaitlyn and Karl are studying vocabulary words.
Exercise A: Identify the subjects and the verbs that agree with them.
1. A truck and a sedan (were / was) in the ditch.
2. English and science (requires / require) hours of study.
3. In the morning, Eve and Karen (jog / jogs) two miles before breakfast.
4. Felicity and her brothers (is / are) at school all day.
5. Career counselors and employers (match / matches) people with jobs.
6. Tom and Dan (run / runs) the mile.
7. Apples and bananas (is / are) healthy for us.
8. On the other hand, structure and order (suit / suits) people with good
organizational ability.
9. My father and the mechanic (is / are) discussing the bill.
10. Richie and I (want / wants) to join the photography club at school.
When the parts of a compound subject are joined by or or nor, the verb should agree
with the part closest to it.
Examples:
a. Neither my sister nor my brother mows the lawn without protesting.
b. Either the man or his friends were taking pictures.
Exercise B: Identify the subjects and the verbs that agree with them.
1. Either Lucille or Maddie (has / have) a tawdry dress like that.
2. Either the judge or the lawyers (are / is) wrong.
3. Neither Joe nor Evan (want / wants) the tedious job.
4. Neither Tyler nor they (believes / believe) that story.
5. Her cat or his dogs (is / are) in the show.
6. Either my mom or the neighbors always (host / hosts) the spring fling.
7. My uncle or my grandparents (plan / plans) to drive me there on time.
8. Popcorn or sunflower seeds (make / makes) a delicious snack.
9. Sunflower seeds or popcorn (make / makes) a delicious snack.
10. Neither the television nor the radio (work / works) properly.
_____________________________ MIXED PRACTICE _____________________________
1. Amber and her brother (like / likes) to paint.
2. Macaroni and cheese (is / are) the cafeteria special today.
3. Either a ticket or a pass (allow / allows) you to enter the museum.
4. A robin and her babies (live / lives) in a nearby tree.
5. Neither fruits nor vegetables (was / were) on the table when we arrived.
6. The articulate doctor or the physician’s assistant (is / are) available to answer your
questions.
7. Peanut butter and jelly (is / are) a favorite sandwich for many young people.
8. Children and adults (enjoy / enjoys) the rides at Hershey Park.
9. Either the mailman or the construction workers (is / are) causing Spot to bark like
crazy!
10. Because of environmental concerns, many cities and towns no longer (incinerate /
incinerates) their garbage.
11. Neither a bouquet of flowers nor a box of candy (make / makes) a suitable gift for
this occasion.
12. Rice and beans, my favorite dish, (remind / reminds) me of my native Puerto
Rico.
13. Either Franco or his teammates (call / calls) the plays.
14. Either Wesley or Jacob (is / are) going to lead the parade on Saturday.
15. Jonathan and his partners (need / needs) some help with their project.