Name: Date:

Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement

Practice

To fix subject-verb agreement with compound subjects, identify whether the

subjects joined by and, or, or nor are singular or plural. Then, use one of the following
methods.

If the subjects joined are plural, use a plural verb.

If the subjects are singular and joined by and, use a plural verb.
If the subjects are singular and joined by or or nor, use a singular verb.
Example: A swimming lesson or a tennis lesson is good exercise.
If the singular and plural subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the closer
subject.
Example: Concert tickets or a fancy dinner is a great gift.
Neither the roast nor the potatoes are cooking.

Circle the correct singular or plural form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Two dogs and a cat (lives, live) in that house.

2. They (is, are) always playing together.

3. Neither the dogs nor the cat (likes, like) strangers.

4. Mr. Terry and one dog (takes, take) long walks.

5. Either Mr. Terry or his housekeeper (feeds, feed) the animals.

6. Neither the cat nor the dogs (strays, stray) from home.

7. Both cats and dogs (is, are) easy to care for.

8. Juan and his sisters (wants, want) to put on a pet show.

9. Neither his parents nor the neighbors (objects, object).

10. Both Cindy and Maria (has, have) agreed to help.

11. Two boxers and a cat (is, are) entered already.

12. Either the twins or Jamie (has, have) entered a snake.

13. Either a blue ribbon or some treats (is, are) to be first prize.

14. I (know, knows) it will be a good pet show.

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 Name: Date:

Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement

Assess

A Circle the correct singular or plural form of the verb in parentheses.

1. The cherry tree and the maple tree (has, have) been cut down.

2. The road to the right or the one straight ahead (leads, lead) home.

3. Soldiers or police officers (was, were) blocking the roadways.

4. Carol and her sister (is, are) hiking in Argentina.

5. The Thomases or the Millers (is, are) taking us in their car.

6. They and the Barbers (lives, live) across the street from the library.

7. The girls and boys (takes, take) turns collecting the classroom assignments.

8. Neither the cake nor the ice cream (has, have) been served yet.

9. A pencil or a pen (is, are) necessary to take the test.

10. Both Joe and Michael (is, are) interested in fishing.

B Circle the correct singular or plural form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Either Dad or Mom (picks, pick) us up after school.

2. An apple or a pear (tastes, taste) good with cheese.

3. Billy or his sister (cooks, cook) dinner every night.

4. Every suit and jacket in the store (is, are) on sale.

5. Neither the book nor the magazine (has, have) the information.

6. Neither Rachel nor her sisters (is, are) able to come to the party.

7. The house next door and one around the corner (is, are) painted yellow.

8. Both Sarah and Eileen (drives, drive) to the mountains on weekends.

9. Either Karen or the boys (takes, take) the dog for a walk every day.

10. The leaves and the grass trimmings (has, have) to be raked today.

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