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 EXERCISE I: SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

DIRECTIONS: Write a sentence of your own using the word was as the main verb or as a
helping verb. Then write a sentence using the verb were. Make sure the subjects
and verbs in your sentences agree in number.

1. (was)

2. (were)

DIRECTIONS: Write a sentence of your own using the word dont correctly. Then write a
sentence using the word doesnt correctly. Use a different subject in these sentences than the
ones you used in the sentences for was and were above. Make sure the subjects and verbs in
your sentences agree in number.
1. (dont)

2. (doesnt)
 EXERCISE II: SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

DIRECTIONS: Write a new version of each of the following sentences, changing the number of
the sentence. In other words, if the subject in the original sentence is singular,
the subject of the new sentence should be plural. If the subject in the original
sentence is plural, the subject in the new sentence should be singular. Keep all
new sentences in the present tense, and make sure all subjects and verbs agree.

In the original sentences and in the new versions, do all of the following:
1. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
2. Underline all verbs twice.
3. Underline all subjects once.

1. SAMPLE: Most flowers need weekly watering.

A flower needs weekly watering.

2. A cloud appears on the horizon.

3. The leaves rustle overhead.

4. Every morning a truck starts noisily near our house.

5. A start shines brightly in the sky.

6. The metro in Montreal is very quiet.

 7. A careful parent supervises the diet of his children. (HINT: Eliminate the word a and
change four other words in the sentence to plural.)

8. All the students want good grades. (HINT: Eliminate the word all and change three other
words in the sentence to singular)

9. A famous batter breaks the home run record.

10. The risk of getting lung cancer is greater for a smoker. (HINT: Change three words in
the sentence to plural)
 EXERCISE 3: SUBJECTS AND VERBS

DIRECTIONS: In the following sentences, underline the complete subject with one line and the
complete predicate with two lines. In other words, underline every word in the
sentence with either one or two lines.

1. Stars shine.

2. The children sleep in the next room.

3. This creek runs all summer long.

4. The cat went under the house.

5. A beautiful convertible parked in front of our house.

6. This lab opens at eight oclock every morning.

7. The roof of the old barn fell in.

8. The students behaved very rudely during class.

9. The best player on our baseball team lives in a town near the Arkansas-Missouri line.

10. The Razorbacks play again this weekend.

 EXERCISE 4: SUBJECTS AND VERBS

DIRECTIONS: Find the simple subjects and verbs in the following sentences. Follow this
procedure in each sentence:

Find the verb first by changing the time of the sentence (to present, past, future,
present perfect, etc.). Whatever word changes its form is the verb. Underline
the verb with two lines.

Find the simple subject by asking the question Who or What? before the verb.
Whatever word answers this question is the simple subject. Underline the
simple subject with one line.

For example, in the first sentence closed is the verb because it shows past time
and will change to closes (present), is closing (present), will close (future), and
has closed (present perfect). To find the subject, ask who or what closed?
Paula closed. Paula is the subject.

1. EXAMPLE: Paula closed the door to her room.

2. The gray and white striped kitten drank the milk from its bowl.

3. A few students at the college commute from Eureka Springs.

4. Players from area schools competed in the tournament.

5. Several noisy starlings roost in the huge elm in our backyard.

6. A valuable oil painting fell from the wall.

7. The radiator of the car will need new antifreeze in the fall.

8. A large white station wagon stopped in the middle of the road.

9. His father prepares supper early on week nights.

10. The key inside my pocket opens the door to the lab.
 EXERCISE 5: SUBJECTS AND VERBS

DIRECTIONS: The sentences in this exercise all contain verbs of more than one word. When
identifying the verb in a sentence, always include helping verbs if they are
present. Do all of the following to these sentences:

1. Circle all conjunctions.

2. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
3. Underline all parts of all verbs twice.
4. Underline all subjects once.

1. EXAMPLE: A heavy rain must have fallen overnight.

2. Jack has just been elected president of the PBL.

3. Careful people do not make the same mistake twice.

4. Jenny has just finished her spelling test.

5. A person should always listen to both sides of an argument.

6. A skillful receiver would have caught that pass.

7. This store is currently buying, selling, and trading used books.

8. The drama students will be competing for top honors in the state contest.

9. John Wayne has always been a favorite western movie star.

10. Jason has been working in the carpentry shop.

 EXERCISE 5: SUBJECTS AND VERBS

DIRECTIONS: The sentences in this exercise all contain verbs of more than one word. When
identifying the verb in a sentence, always include helping verbs if they are
present. Do all of the following to these sentences:

1. Circle all conjunctions.

2. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
3. Underline all parts of all verbs twice.
4. Underline all subjects once.

1. EXAMPLE: A heavy rain must have fallen overnight.

2. Jack has just been elected president of the PBL.

3. Careful people do not make the same mistake twice.

4. Jenny has just finished her spelling test.

5. A person should always listen to both sides of an argument.

6. A skillful receiver would have caught that pass.

7. This store is currently buying, selling, and trading used books.

8. The drama students will be competing for top honors in the state contest.

9. John Wayne has always been a favorite western movie star.

10. Jason has been working in the carpentry shop.

 EXERCISE II: SINGULAR PRONOUNS AND S-V AGREEMENT

DIRECTIONS: In the following sentences, decide which present tense form (singular or plural)
of the verb in parentheses belongs in the sentence. Then fill in the blank in each
sentence with the correct present form of the verb.

In addition do all the following:

1. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
2. Underline all verbs twice.
3. Underline all subjects once.

1. EXAMPLE: Neither (of us) enjoys large gatherings. (enjoy)

2. Either of them _______________ good company on a trip. (be)

3. Both of you ________________ a tutor in college algebra. (need)

4. Each student _______________ finished with that unit. (be)

5. Either of the desserts _______________ delicious. (taste)

6. Either one of the desserts ______________ delicious. (taste)

7. Almost every college graduate ______________ a good job. (want)

8. Each of the trainees _________________ a question. (ask)

9. Neither of the batteries ________________ a warranty. (have)

10. Every one of the recorders ______________ a new set of headphones. (need)
 EXERCISE 3: SINGULAR PRONOUNS AND S-V AGREEMENT

DIRECTIONS: Write sentences of your own according to the specifications for each numbered
item. Make sure the subject and verb agree in each sentence.

In addition, do all the following:

1. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
2. Underline all verbs twice.
3. Underline all subjects once.

1. (a sentence with each as the subject or as an adjective before the subject, then a
prepositional phrase, and then a verb in present tenseabout seven words)

2. (a sentence with every as an adjective before the subject, then a prepositional phrase, and
then a verb in present tenseabout seven words)

3. (a sentence with neither as the subject or as an adjective before the subject, then a
prepositional phrase, and then a verb in present tenseabout seven words)
 EXERCISE 1: SENTENCES WITH THERE, HERE, AND WHERE

DIRECTIONS: In the following sentences, decide whether the verb is or are belongs in the
sentence. Then fill in the blank in each sentence with the correct verb form.

In addition, do all the following:

1. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
2. Underline all verbs twice.
3. Underline all subjects once.

1. EXAMPLE: There is a toy (on the floor).

2. There ______________ several students in the lab today.

3. Here ______________ the list of requirements for this course.

4. Where _____________ the sheets for this bed?

5. Here _______________ the ticket for the concert.

6. There ______________ a glare on the highway this afternoon.

7. Where _____________ the athletic offices?

8. Here ______________ the student with the late paper.

9. There _____________ a dozen eggs remaining in the refrigerator.

10. There _____________ thirty-six inches in a standard yard.

 EXERCISE II: SENTENCES WITH HERE, THERE, AND WHERE

DIRECTIONS: Write sentences of your own according to the specifications for each numbered
item. Make sure that each sentence has a different subject and that the subject
and verb in each sentence agree.

In addition, do all of the following:

1. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
2. Underline all verbs twice.
3. Underline all subjects once.

1. (a sentence beginning with there is or there are followed by a subject and then a
prepositional phraseabout seven words)

2. (a sentence beginning with here is or here are followed by a subject and then a
prepositional phraseabout seven words)

3. (a sentence beginning with where is or where are followed by a subject and then a
prepositional phraseabout seven words)
 EXERCISE 1: PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES & S-V AGREEMENT

DIRECTIONS: In the following sentences, underline the verb that agrees with the subject.
Dont be fooled by an object of a preposition that might come between the
subject and the verb.

1. The weight of the big trucks (injure, injures) the pavement.

2. One of the cars headlights (is, are) out.

3. The reasons for his dismissal (has, have) not been stated.

4. The footprints in the snow (was, were) the only clue.

5. One of the wheels on the bicycle (squeak, squeaks).

6. The effects of the sunburn (is, are) often quite serious.

7. The trees on the hillside (prevent, prevents) soil erosion.

8. One of the women (remind, reminds) me of my mother.

9. The car with many extras (cost, costs) $25,000.

10. The printing on these sheets (come, comes) out in the wash.
 EXERCISE 2: PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES & S-V AGREEMENT

DIRECTIONS: In each of the following sentences, decide which present tense form (singular or
plural) of the verb in parentheses agrees with the subject of the sentence. Then
fill in the blank in each sentence with the correct present tense form of the verb.

In addition, do all of the following:

1. Circle all coordinate conjunctions.
2. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
3. Underline all verbs twice.
4. Underline all subjects once.

1. EXAMPLE: The back (of the book) is torn and dirty. (be)

2. The presentation of the diplomas ______________ the graduation ceremony. (end)

3. Small attacks of allergy often _______________ to respiratory infections. (lead)

4. The paintings on the wall _____________ the colors of the furniture. (match)

5. Research for cures of diseases _________________ at Mayo Clinic. (continue)

6. The new federal building on the corner of Erie and Walnut streets ___________ very
modern and spacious. (look)

7. A trophy with gold plates on each side ______________ expensive. (be)

8. The accompanist for the Harrison High School choir ____________ beautifully. (play)
 EXERCISE 3: PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES & S-V AGREEMENT

DIRECTIONS: Write sentences of your own according to the specifications for each numbered
item. Make sure the subject and verb agree in each sentence. In addition, do all
of the following:
1. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
2. Underline all verbs twice.
3. Underline all subjects once.

1. (a sentence containing a singular subject followed by prepositional phrase and then a

singular verb in present tenseabout 10 words)

2. (a sentence containing a plural subject followed by a prepositional phrase and then a

plural verb in present tenseabout 10 verbs)
 EXERCISE 1: COMPOUND SUBJECT AND S-V AGREEMENT

DIRECTIONS: In the following sentences, underline the verb that agrees with its subject.
Remember that if a verb showing present time ends in s, it is singular not plural.
Also remember to check each sentence for and, or, and nor before choosing the
verb.

1. The doctor or her assistant (plan, plans) to see you tonight.

2. The doctor and her assistant (plan, plans) to see you tonight.

3. Neither the name nor the address (was, were) legible.

4. Mother or Dad (do, does) the shopping.

5. Neither mud nor snow (stop, stops) my new tractor.

6. A sandwich and a glass of milk (is, are) all I want tonight.

7. Oil or wax (protect, protects) the surface from rust.

8. Neither Bergman nor Lead Hill High (has, have) a pool.

9. The heat, the noise, and the crowd (was, were) too much for my nerves.
 EXERCISE 2: COMPOUND SUBJECTS AND S-V AGREEMENT

DIRECTIONS: In the following sentences, decide which present tense form (singular or plural)
of the verb in parentheses belongs in the sentence. The fill in the blank in each
sentence with the correct present form of the verb.

In addition, do all of the following:

1. Circle all coordinate conjunctions. (NOTE: Neither and nor are considered coordinate
conjunctions the same as and, but, and or. In the sentences containing neither and nor,
circle both words.)
2. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases
3. Underline all verbs twice
4. Underline all subjects once.

1. EXAMPLE: The air and the water are perfect (for swimming). (be)

2. Her voice and her manner ____________ me of Susan. (remind)

3. Bread, crackers, or oatmeal __________ the texture of meat loaf. (improve)

4. The sofa and the loveseat ___________ for $600. (sell)

5. A naturalist or an environmentalist ________________ to the students each year on Earth

Day. (speak)

6. Neither Bob nor his brother _________________ to the dent in Moms car. (admit)

7. Mr. Hall, Mr. Boyd, and Mr. Ezell _____________ a workshop in Chicago every fifteen
years. (attend)

8. Heavy rains and unseasonably cool weather _____________ our gardens in the Ozarks
each year. (postpone)
 9. A doctor or a nurse _____________ the results of medical tests at the county health
office. (interpret)

10. Neither pine nor maple ______________ sturdy enough for cutting blocks. (be)
 EXERCISE 3: COMPOUND SUBJECTS AND S-V AGREEMENT

DIRECTIONS: Write sentences of your own according to the specifications for each numbered
items. Make sure the subject and verb agree in each sentence.

In addition, do the following:

1. Circle all coordinate conjunctions.
2. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
3. Underline all verbs twice.
4. Underline all subjects once.

1. (a sentence with two singular subjects joined by the conjunction and, a verb in present
tense, and a prepositional phraseabout 10 words)

2. (a sentence with two singular subjects joined by the conjunction or, a verb in present
tense, and a prepositional phraseabout 10 words)