Subject/Verb Agreement
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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
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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. ________________________________________________________________________________