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Subject-Verb Agreement
A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. Subject-verb
agreement allows only one -s to be added to any subject-verb combination.
If the subjects in the following sentences are changed to the words given in parentheses, how do
the verbs change? In each space provided, write the verb form that agrees with the new subject.
When the verb contains more than one word, write only the first word of the verb string.
1. The tomato seedling grows well in this corner. (seedlings) _________________
2. The stem has doubled in thickness. (stems) _________________
3. The pepper plants are progressing more slowly. (plant) _________________
4. The delicate melon vines do not thrive in a drafty place. (vine) _________________
5. My southern windows offer a perfect environment for sprouts. (window) ______________
______________________________________________________________________________
When a verb includes a past tense form of to be, was goes with all singular subjects except you;
were goes with you and all plural subjects. Write either was or were in the spaces provided.
6. All last year, Dinnell
saving money for a car. _________________
7. The Martoral sisters
offering to sell him theirs. _________________
8. Their car just sitting on the street where it is not doing anyone any good.
_________________
9. I, for one,
happy for him to get a chance at it. _________________
10. The neighborhood kids pleased, too, because Dinnell was always such a pushover about
giving them rides around town. _________________
______________________________________________________________________________
When a modifying phrase or clause separates the subject from its verb, the verb must agree with
the subject and not with any noun in the modifying phrase or clause. For each space, choose the
correct present tense form of the verb to be (is/are).
11. There some advantages to working the night shift. _________________
12. When I get off work in the winter, there still an hour more of darkness. ________________
13. In the air there a fresh smell, and the streets are still. _________________
14. Just as the sun rises, there often a glow in the sky that transforms dingy buildings into
colored palaces. _________________
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15. Because there so few people on the streets at that hour, I can stand and stare without feeling
foolish. _________________
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When a modifying phrase or clause separates the subject from its verb, the verb must agree with
the subject and not with any noun in the modifying phrase or clause. For each space, choose the
correct present tense form of the verb provided in parentheses.
16. A woman who takes most of her classes during the same hours as I do (to love) to box.
_________________
17. The person pictured in all the newspapers for winning the Golden Gloves (to teach) her.
_________________
18. Her parents, worrying about her safety and probably disapproving of the sport as a whole, (to
hope) to convince her to quit. _________________
19. Her friends, however, in the athletic crowd (to encourage) her. _________________
20. In fact, the director of counseling and student affairs, who has worked with her for two years,
(to claim) that boxing has been good for her. _________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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When who, which, or that acts as the subject of the clause it introduces, the verb must agree with
the word that the clause modifies. For each space, choose the correct present tense form of the
verb provided in parentheses.
31. The experiences that (to stick) in our memories are often the surprising ones. ____________
32. A big, special event that (to happen) according to your expectations may fade from your
long-term memory. _________________
33. However, a small, ordinary event that (to take) you by surprise may remain in your mind for
the rest of your life. _________________
34. Scholars who (to study) artificial intelligence believe that surprise is an important factor in
the storage of information. _________________
35. Computer programs, which (to be) fundamentally unable to respond to surprise, reveal a
critical limit in this area. _________________
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When and compounds subjects, the verb must be plural. When or compounds subjects, the verb
should agree with the subject closest to it. For each space, choose the correct present tense form
of the verb provided in parentheses.
36. The sound of the sewing machine and the smell of biscuits (to welcome) Lydia home every
vacation. _________________
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37. Either her sisters or her mother (to rush) out to meet her. _________________
38. In the back shed, Lydia's father and the boys (to hammer) away on their customers' furniture
orders. _________________
39. Often either the women's eagerness or the men's casualness (to irritate)Lydia. ____________
40. This time, however, she and her new friend (to appreciate) the warmth of the family after
their long trip. ________________
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Indefinite Pronouns As Subject
In the space provided after each sentence, type in the subject followed by the verb asked for (in
bold and in parentheses) in the tense called for in each section.
I. Simple present
1. Around the holidays, several of my customers from the fancy part of town __________ (to
ask) me to make marzipan.
2. Anyone who can work with tools __________ (to know) how to fix that mailbox.
3. Neither of the actors __________ (to spend) much time memorizing lines.
4. Everybody in the grandstands __________ (to want) to avoid trouble.
5. Very few of the stones that are in this bag __________ (to increase) in value over the years.
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II. Present Perfect tense--Combine has or have with the past participle (-ed) of the main verb.
6. Nobody in my classes __________ (to work) very hard this week.
7. Instead, many __________ (to bask) in the sudden sweetness of the weather.
8. Matt and Lena are sun-bathing every day, but neither __________ (to try) to swim in the river
yet.
9. The select few who talk often with Matt and Lena __________ (to contradict) the rumor about
their secret marriage.
10. Matt and Lena are stubborn people, and each __________ (to develop) a strong desire to stay
independent.
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In the space provided after each sentence, type in the subject followed by the verb asked for (in
bold and in parentheses) in the simple present tense.
1. All of the bread __________ (to look) moldy.
2. All of the slices __________ (to look) moldy.
3. Some of the bottles __________ (to smell) strange.
4. Some of the milk __________ (to smell) strange.
5. None of the eggs __________ (to show) those tiny cracks.
6. None of the butter __________ (to show) any spoilage.
7. Most of this warehouse __________ (to need) a new refrigeration system.
8. Most of these rooms __________ (to need) new refrigerators.
9. Any of the cosmetics that you find in the drawer __________ (to belong) to the people who
lived here before.
10. Any of the medicine in those drawers __________ (to belong) to the people who just moved
out.
Singular
Either Singular
or Plural*
everyone/everybody
*any
both
anyone/anybody
*all
many
someone/somebody
*some
few
no one/nobody
*most
several
each/much/one
*more
either/neither
*none
Plural
*depend on
Object of Preposition*
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Bonus exercises concerning Indefinite Pronouns
Singular indefinite pronoun subjects require singular verbs. Plural indefinite pronoun subjects
require plural verbs. For each space, choose the correct present tense form of the verb provided
in parentheses.
21. Anybody who ever saw Derek at work (to know) that he can be trusted. ________________
22. And yet several of the people in the head office (to report) that he's dealing in drugs. ______
23. I can't understand why so few of the people on his crew (to seem) to realize that he needs
their help. _________________
24. Everybody who has worked with him over the past few years (to remember) how he used to
stick out his neck to help others. _________________
25. At this point, neither of his supervisors (to want) to file a report. _________________
______________________________________________________________________________
A few indefinite pronoun subjects agree with either singular or plural verbs, depending on the
modifying phrases that follow them. For each space, choose the correct present tense form of
the verb provided in parentheses.
26. All of that ice in the cooler (to show) that you are ready for a great party. _______________
27. Some of your guests (to appear) to have brought fancy casseroles, too. _________________
28. You have a great reputation as a party giver, but surely some of the credit (to belong) to your
gourmet-cook guests. _________________
29. Arranged on the side table, all of those platters (to promise) a grand feast. _______________
30. Yet most of the newcomers (to feel) too shy to dig in. _________________