Subject-Verb Agreement

Everyone (has/have) done his or her homework.

• has

• have

Answer explanation

“Everyone” is a singular subject. Other singular indefinite pronouns are: anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, every, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, somebody, someone, something.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1D

CCSS.L.3.1A

Each of the students (is/are) responsible for doing his or her work.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

Since “Every” and “Each” are both indefinite pronouns, they take singular verbs.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Either my father or my brothers (is/are) going to sell the car.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

If a sentence has two subjects connected by or/nor, either/or, or neither/nor, the verb must agree with the second subject (the subject closer to the verb). However, if a sentence begins with “neither” or “either” without the “or/nor” combination, the verb is singular.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Neither my sisters nor my mother (is/are) going to sell the house.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

If a sentence has two subjects connected by or/nor, either/or, or neither/nor, the verb must agree with the second subject (the subject closer to the verb). However, if a sentence begins with “neither” or “either” without the “or/nor” combination, the verb is singular.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

The samples on the tray in the lab (need/needs) testing.

• need

• needs

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Mary and John usually (plays/play) together.

• play

• plays

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1E

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

Both of the dogs (has/have) collars.

• has

• have

Answer explanation

Since “Both” and “Several” are plural indefinite pronouns, they take the plural verbs “have” and “are.”

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Neither the dogs nor the cat (is/are) very hungry.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

If a sentence has two subjects connected by or/nor, either/or, or neither/nor, the verb must agree with the second subject (the subject closer to the verb). However, if a sentence begins with “neither” or “either” without the “or/nor” combination, the verb is singular.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Either the girls or the boy (walk/walks) in the evening.

• walk

• walks

Answer explanation

If a sentence has two subjects connected by or/nor, either/or, or neither/nor, the verb must agree with the second subject (the subject closer to the verb). However, if a sentence begins with “neither” or “either” without the “or/nor” combination, the verb is singular.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Either the boy or the girls (walk/walks) in the evening.

• walk

• walks

Answer explanation

If a sentence has two subjects connected by or/nor, either/or, or neither/nor, the verb must agree with the second subject (the subject closer to the verb). However, if a sentence begins with “neither” or “either” without the “or/nor” combination, the verb is singular.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F