English 10

Lesson 3: Subject Verb Agreement

Rules in Grammar
1. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular.
Example:
The pandemic affects the economic of the country.
SUBJECT pandemic (singular)
VERB affects (singular)

2. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Example:
Many schools implement limited face-to-face classes this month.
SUBJECT schools (plural)
VERB implement (plural)

Activity 1: Making Subjects agree with their verbs.

Directions: Choose the verb in the parentheses that agrees with the subject of each sentence.
Example: He (jog, jogs) two miles every day.
1. A tall tree (stand, stands) in our front yard.
2. The ships (was, were) passing the island.
3. It seems that the baby (grows, grow) an inch everyday.
4. Our blackboards (was, were) all scattered.
5. Candles (is, are) quite expensive.
6. Yesterday the newspaper (was, were) not delivered.
7. His pictures (belongs, belong) in the gallery.
8. Mr. Cody (was, were) reading poems in a dramatic voice.
9. At sunrise the ships (sails, sail) from harbor.
10. At the quarry the noises (is, are) deafening.

3. When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by
“and” use a plural verb.
Example:
The doctoral student and the committee members write every day.

SUBJECT The doctoral student, the committee members (plural)

VERB write (plural)

4. When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must
agree with the subject.
Example:
Interviews are one way to collect data and allow researchers to gain in-depth understanding of
participant.
SUBJECT Interviews (plural)
VERB are , allow (plural)
 5. Intervening words like together with, in addition to, along with, as well as, including and similar
constructions following the subject do not affect the number of the subject.
Example:
The student, as well as the committee members, is excited.
SUBJECT student (singular)
VERB is (singular)
Activity:
Directions: Read the following statements then choose the correct verb to be used to complete the
sentence.

1. The manager, together with his dedicated supervisors, arrived on time for the
conference today.
a) have
b) has
c) had

2. Along with the boys their parents and mentors.

a) is
b) are
c) was

3. My bag, with a lot of good and expensive things inside, stolen last night.
a) was
b) were
c) are

4. That woman, with the red skirt and two puppies, not included in the list of qualified
voters.
a) were
b) are
c) is

5. My friend, together with her peers, passed the defense with an excellent grade.
a) has
b) have
c) had

6. The farmhouse, including the tractor and a pickup, (was, were) damaged by the storm
7. Mary, accompanied by her brother, (go, goes) to the movies at the weekend
8. John along with his cousin often (helps, help) out on his uncle’s farm
9. His father, as well as his uncle, (is, are) retiring at the end of this year
10.The speaker, in addition to the guests, (has, have) arrived
11.The police inspector, together with an assistant, (is, are) now at the crime scene
 6. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by "or" or "nor," use a singular
verb.
Example:
The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.
Activity: Compound subjects
Directions: choose the verb in parentheses that agrees with the subject in each sentence.
Example: Either Kelly or Jim (play, plays) the lead role.
1. The door and the window (is, are) stuck.
2. Neither Mother nor Father (has, have) phoned.
3. The dog or the cats (is, are) always howling.
4. Apples and bananas (has, have) have been my favorite fruits for years.
5. Mary or Louise (belongs, belong) to the bridge club.
6. Each morning Tom or the children (buys, buy) fresh rolls at the bakery.
7. Both the man with the appliances and the plumber (has, have) arrived.
8. My son and daughter (has, have) never been cooperative.
9. Either the children or I (walk, walks) into the town for the mail.
10. Neither Joan nor Allen (like, likes) cereal for breakfast.