Name ________________________________ Class ____________________ Date ______________________
GrammarNotes
PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
Lesson 4: Using Subject-Verb Agreement
What is subject-verb agreement?
Identify the subject of each sentence and tell whether it is singular or plural. Then, choose
the form of the verb that agrees with the subject.
1. Firefighters (risks, risk) their lives for others.
2. The principal (makes, make) announcements each day.
3. The blue socks (is, are) in the top drawer.
How to fix problems in agreement: Phrases between subjects and verbs
Identify the subject of each verb in parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb that
agrees with that subject.
1. The moon over the ocean (is, are) a beautiful sight.
2. The hands on my watch (glows, glow) in the dark.
3. Four students from our school (plays, play) in a band.
How to fix problems in agreement: Indefinite pronouns
Identify the subject of each verb in parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb that
agrees with that subject.
1. Many in the crowd (waves, wave) signs.
2. Neither of the radios (works, work) properly.
3. Some of the recipes (calls, call) for fresh herbs.
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
1
Name ________________________________ Class ____________________ Date ______________________
GrammarNotes
PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
Lesson 4: Using Subject-Verb Agreement
How to fix problems in agreement: Compound subjects
For each of the following sentences, identify each part of the compound subject. Then,
choose the correct verb form in parentheses.
1. A desert or a jungle (is, are) the setting for the play.
2. Both my brother and my sister (delivers, deliver) the morning newspaper.
3. The boss or the workers (has, have) made a mistake.
How to fix problems in agreement: Subjects after verbs
Identify the subject of each verb in parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb that
agrees with that subject. Be prepared to explain your answers.
1. There (was, were) several baby rabbits behind the bush.
2. (Has, Have) your neighbor moved out yet?
3. Where (is, are) the maps for our report?
How to fix agreement problems: Don’t and doesn’t
Identify the subject in each sentence. Then, choose the contraction in parentheses that
agrees with the subject.
1. My parents (don’t, doesn’t) listen to rap music.
2. This bedroom (don’t, doesn’t) look very neat.
3. (Don’t, Doesn’t) he want a ride home?
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
2