Download How to fix problems in agreement Compound subjects

How to fix problems in agreement
Compound subjects
A compound subject is two or more subjects
that are joined by a coordinating conjunction and
that have the same verb.
• Subjects joined by and usually take plural verbs.
Red
and
Subject 1
Jana,
blue
are the school’s colors.
Subject 2 Verb
Kurt,
Subject 1 Subject 2
and
Riley
Subject 3
enjoy skating.
Verb
How to fix problems in agreement
Compound subjects
• Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a
singular verb.
Neither the bus
nor the
Singular
On Mondays, Manuel or
Singular
train stops in our town.
Singular Verb
Gina
baby-sits.
Singular
Verb
How to fix problems in agreement
Compound subjects
• Plural subjects joined by or or nor take a plural
verb.
Curtains
or artworks add color to a room.
Plural
Plural
Neither lemons nor
Plural
Verb
limes were sold there.
Plural
Verb
How to fix problems in agreement
Compound subjects
• When a singular and a plural subject are joined
by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject
that is closer to the verb.
Plural
Singular
Verb
Either flowers or a book usually makes a nice gift.
The verb makes agrees with the nearer subject, book.
Singular
Maria or her
Plural
Verb
parents prepare the lunches.
The verb prepare agrees with the nearer subject, parents.
How to fix problems in agreement
Compound subjects
On Your Own
For each of the following sentences, choose the verb that
agrees with the compound subject.
1. Ants and spiders (has, have) invaded the backyard.
2. Mandy and her friends (is, are) going to the movies.
3. A statue or a fountain (looks, look) good in a park setting.
4. Neither maples nor elms (grows, grow) well in the valley.
5. Either potatoes or rice (is, are) served with the chicken.
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How to fix problems in agreement
Subjects after verbs
In some sentences the subject comes after the
verb.
Plural Subject
Here (is,are
are) the
the balloons.
balloons.
When the subject follows the verb . . .
1. Find the subject.
2. Make sure the verb agrees with it.
How to fix problems in agreement
Subjects after verbs
Subjects also appear after verbs in questions.
Plural Subject
Where (is,
are
are) the old magazines?
magazines?
1. Find the subject.
2. Make sure the verb agrees with it.
How to fix problems in agreement
Subjects after verbs
On Your Own
For each of the following sentences, choose the correct form
of the verb in parentheses.
1. There (is, are) a new student in my brother’s class.
2. (Was, Were) the fans cheering for the other team?
3. Where (has, have) Reggie hidden the gifts?
4. Here (stands, stand) the bravest heroes among us.
5. There (is, are) several correct answers to that question.
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