Compound Subject-Verb Agreement

Front

What is a compound subject in grammar?

Back

A compound subject consists of two or more subjects that share the same verb and are joined by a conjunction (e.g., 'and' or 'or').

Front

How does a compound subject affect verb agreement?

Back

The verb must agree with the compound subject based on whether the subjects are joined by 'and' (plural) or 'or' (singular or plural depending on the closest subject).

Front

In the sentence 'Your cabbage salad and homemade bread ____ even better than I remember,' what is the correct verb form?

Back

The correct verb form is 'taste' because 'cabbage salad and homemade bread' is a compound subject that is plural.

Front

What is the rule for verb agreement when using 'either...or' with a compound subject?

Back

When using 'either...or,' the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to it.

Front

In the sentence 'Either Alice or her assistant ____ to Singapore,' which subject determines the verb form?

Back

The subject 'assistant' determines the verb form, so the correct verb is 'flies'.

Front

What is the difference between a singular and plural subject in terms of verb agreement?

Back

A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Front

In the sentence 'Whenever Karen and Carson ____ the bells,' what is the correct verb form?

Back

The correct verb form is 'hear' because 'Karen and Carson' is a compound subject that is plural.

Front

What happens to the verb when a compound subject is connected by 'and'?

Back

When a compound subject is connected by 'and,' the verb is typically plural.

Front

In the sentence 'When we take our three dogs to the park, our black lab or our golden retriever usually ____ the ball,' what is the correct verb form?

Back

The correct verb form is 'fetches' because 'black lab or golden retriever' is a compound subject and 'retriever' is singular.

Front

What is the rule for using 'neither...nor' with a compound subject?

Back

With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to it.