Unit 25: Subject and Verb Agreement

Understanding the Basics

A verb must agree with its subject in number. This means a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Basic Rule:
SingularSubject (one person/thing) → Add -s or -es to the verb (in present tense).
Example: The dog barks. He runs.

Plural Subject (more than one) → Do not add -s to the verb.
Example: The dogs bark. They run.

Irregular Verbs: The verb be changes forms: am, is, are, was, were. Have becomes has (singular) and have (plural). Do becomes does (singular) and do (plural) [1, 2].

Advanced Rules: Intervening Phrases and Compound Subjects

Intervening Phrases: Do not be confused by words that come between the subject and the verb. Prepositional phrases (starting with of, in, on, with) do not change the subject [3, 4].

Example: The box of chocolates is heavy. (The subject is box, not chocolates).

CompoundSubjects:

  • Subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb: Ben and Libby are going.
  • Subjects joined by or, either…or, or neither…nor take the verb that agrees with the subject closer to it: Neither the teacher nor the students are here.

Exercise 1: Basic Agreement (Multiple Choice)

Circle the correct verb to complete each sentence.

1. Jack and Donna (was / were) surprised they won the race.
2. Tigers (is / are) beautiful animals.
3. July (is / are) our hottest month in this city.
4. Destiny (love / loves) to sew.
5. Rafts and inner tubes (is /are) available to rent.
6. Neither of the two ovens (is / are) working.
7. There (is / are) no good reason to sit back.
8. The principal (decide / decides) what happens next.

Exercise 2: Intervening Phrases

Cross out the phrase between the subject and verb. Then circle the correct verb.

1. The box of chocolate candies (is / are) for my aunt.
2. The book about dogs (tell / tells) how to build a dog house.
3. The bag of diamonds (is / are) the clue to the mystery.
4. Certain states, including Oregon, (welcome / welcomes) tourists.
5. The bowl of flowers (make / makes) a beautiful centerpiece.
6. The foreman, as well as the other workers, (is / are) leaving early.
7. The advice of three physical therapists (was / were) in the report.
8. The results in the green notebook (shows / show) the problem.

Exercise 3: Indefinite Pronouns

Remember: words like each,everyone, nobody are singular. Words like both, few, many are plural. Choose the correct verb [7, 8].

  1. Everyone in the choir (practice / practices) after school.
  2. Someone (must / musts) really love me.
  3. Neither of us (are / is) going to the party this weekend.
  4. Nobody (likes / like) a cheater.
  5. Each of you (have / has) taken this exam.
  6. Everybody in the class (pass / passes) in the homework on time.
  7. Neither of you (were / was) at the assembly this morning.
  8. Both of the apples (was / were) ripe.

Exercise 4: Compound Subjects

Choose the correct verb form for these compound subjects [9, 10].

1. Lilly and Noah (has / have) decided to take their lambs to the fair.
2. (Do / Does) Chris and Abby plan to stay overnight?
3. Neither my sisters nor my brother (is / are) interested in raising sheep.
4. Either one sheep or two small goats (fit / fits) in this stall.
5. Zeb or Andrea (groom/ grooms) the lamb before the event.
6. Seven white sheep and one black sheep (is / are) entering the arena.
7. A mechanic and an engineer (is / are) both coming.
8. Neither Pablo nor Luisa (has / have) a motor scooter.

Exercise 5: Correcting Errors

Find the error in each sentence and rewrite the sentence correctly.

  1. Meghan and Leena was making cookies in the kitchen.
    _______________________________________________________
  2. Cesar have a lot of homework tonight.
    _______________________________________________________
  3. You and I am going to practice, right?
    _______________________________________________________
  4. The band play downtown every weekend.
    _______________________________________________________
  5. One of the boys were late for the game.
    _______________________________________________________
  6. Many a chair, table, and sofa were destroyed.
    _______________________________________________________
  7. Twelve Angry Men remain popular among movie fans.
    _______________________________________________________
  8. Politics are always widely publicized.
    _______________________________________________________

Exercise 6: Gap Fill

Fill in the blank with the correct present tense form of the verb in parentheses [12, 13].

  1. My uncle ____________ (paint) his gate every year.
  2. One of the banjo’s strings ____________ (be) broken.
  3. None of the musical instruments ____________ (belong) to the school.
  4. Neither the drummers nor the pianist ____________ (play) in this piece.
  5. Both Alison and Mercedes ____________ (have) practiced the solo part.
  6. Few of the choirmembers ____________ (play) a musical instrument.
  7. The audience ____________ (stand) and ____________ (sing) the anthem.
  8. Every band member and choir member ____________ (is) onstage.
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