1.

Choose the correct form of the verb for the following sentence: Pete's
stomach ________ when it is empty.
(A) growls

(B) growl

2. Choose the correct form of the verb for the following sentence: Brown bears
_________ thick fur only in the cold winter months.
(A) has

(B) have

3. Identify the subject and verb of the following sentence as either singular or
plural: Not many vegetables are high in calories.
(A) singular subject and verb

(B) plural subject and verb

4. Identify the subject and verb of the following sentence as either singular or
plural: Is Bianca trying out for the part of the duchess?
(A) singular subject and verb

(B) plural subject and verb

5. Choose the correct verb to complete the following sentence: Either two
nickels or one dime ________ in the parking meter.
(A) works

(B) work

6. Choose the correct verb to complete the following sentence: Carol and her
cousins _________ every afternoon.
(A) exercise

(B) exercises

7. Choose the correct verb to complete the following sentence: The owner of
those CDs _________ them back.
(A) wants

(B) want

8. Choose the correct verb to complete the following sentence: The inventor
of the gadgets __________ a patent.
(A) demand

(B) demands

9. Choose the correct verb to complete the following sentence: Where

________ your new dartboard?
(A) are

(B) is

10. Choose the correct verb to complete the following sentence: In the back of
the room ___________ three stacks of books.
(A) was

(B) Were
1. Someone at the stables _________ the horses every
morning. (1 point)
grooms

groom

2. Both of my pencils ________ an eraser (1 point)

has

have

3. The books and the magazine ________ placed on the

table. (1 point)
was

were

4. Any of those nail ______ fine. (1 point)

is

are

5. Neither the lion tamer nor the clowns _________ signing any
autographs tonight. (1 point)
is

are

6. Either string beans or broccili ______ my favorite

vegetable. (1 point)
is

are

7. Each of the Girl Scouts _______ a community service

project. (1 point)
does

do

8. Trumpets or a flute ______excitement in music. (1 point)

creates

create

9. Several of the field hockey players also _______ to the track

team. (1 point)
belongs

belong

10. Most of the newspaper _______ wet. (1 point)

is

are

11. Gold coins and silver bars _____ found in the sunken pirate
ship. (1 point)
was

were

12. Some of the forest _________ patches of poison ivy. (1 point)

has

have

13. Everybody at the fourth of july parade _____ carrying an

American flag. (1 point)
was

were

14. _________ he have the directions? (1 point)

 Doesn't

Don't

15. All of the guests _____ gone to the concert in the

park. (1 point)
has

had

16. Your hands and feet _________ nearly half the bones in your
body. (1 point)
contains

contain

17. Rain or sleet ______ predicted for tomorrow. (1 point)

is

are

18. Phobos and Deimos _______ the two moons of

Mars. (1 point)
is

are

19. Few of the apartments _________ ever vacant at this time of

year. (1 point)
is

are

20. My mother and my sister__________ watch TV except for the

evening news. (1 point)
doesn't

don't

21.
Subject Verb Agreement

Pre Test

1. We (is, are) going to go to the movies today after school.

a. is b. are

2. The tables (was, were) loaded down with food during the holidays.

a. was b. were

3. Several of the children (was, were) painting the wall with their fingers.

a. was b. were

4. Some of the cake (was, were) left on the table.

a. was b. were
5. Some of the boxes (was, were) opened and thrown in the trash.

a. was b. were

6. Nobody near the trees (likes, like) the new game that they are playing.

a. likes b. like

7. Few of the apples (is, are) still hanging on the tree.

a. is b. are

8. James and Sally (is, are) going to find the new book.

a. is b. are

9. Tilda (seems, seem) to think that Tom was not at home.

a. seems b. seem

10. J.J. (is, are) the neighbor's really sweet dog.

After each sentence select the verb form that will best fit in the blank. The explanation will describe the process of
arriving at the correct choice for that sentence. If you choose the correct response, it might still be a good idea to
consult the explanation, to see if your understanding of the verb choice is the same as ours.

1. Carlos is the only one of those students who __________ lived up to the potential described in the yearbook.

has

have

The explanation, please!

Responses:

2. The International Club, as well as the Choral Society and the Rowing Club, __________ to submit a new constitution.

need

needs

The explanation, please!

Responses:
3. One of my best friends _____________ an extra on Seinfeld this week.

are

is

The explanation, please!

Responses:

4. Not only the students but also their instructor ________ been called to the principal's office.

have

has

The explanation, please!

Responses:

5. Most of the milk _____ gone bad. Six gallons of milk _______ still in the refrigerator.

has ---- are

have ---- is

The explanation, please!

Responses:

6. Each and every student and instructor in this building __________ for a new facility by next year.

hope

hopes

The explanation, please!

Responses:

7. The students and instructors each ________for a new facility by next year.

hopes

hope

The explanation, please!

Responses:

8. Rice and beans, my favorite dish, __________ me of my native Puerto Rico.

remind

reminds

The explanation, please!

Responses:

9. A large number of voters still ___________ along straight-party lines.

votes

vote

The explanation, please!

Responses:

10. Four years _______ a long time to spend away from your friends and family.

are

is

The explanation, please!

Responses:

11. Politics __________ sometimes a dirty business.

are

is

The explanation, please!

Responses:

12. To an outsider, the economics of this country ________ to be in disarray.

seem

seems

Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #1

This quiz will cover simple subjects, compound subjects using “and” or “or” that connect singular subjects, and verbs
that agree with them.

A. Directions: Underline the correct verb in these sentences.

1. Sally (run, runs) to the park every day.

2. The dogs (bark, barks,) at strangers.

3. Ted and Mary (is, are) going to the movies.

4. The game (was, were) exciting.

5. They (worry, worries) too much.

6. She (study, studies) every night.

7. Black or white (is, are) your choice.

8. That (was, were) incredible.

9. Those (is, are) pretty shoes.

10. The cat or dog (is, are) in the yard.

B. Directions: Put a C if the sentence is correct, an X if it is not correct.

1. ___ They have been waiting a long time.

2. ___ The pen or the pencil are lost.

 3. ___ Someone don’t understand.

4. ___ Those has been cheaper in the past.

5. ___ Randy and Juan like sports.

6. ___ These are really special.

7. ___ You rides with me.

8. ___ All of them goes to school.

9. ___ Tony likes Mary.

10. ___ That movie was awesome.

Answers:
A.
1. Sally (run, runs) to the park every day.
2. The dogs (bark, barks,) at strangers.
3. Ted and Mary (is, are) going to the movies.
4. The game (was, were) exciting.
5. They (worry, worries) too much.
6. She (study, studies) every night.
7. Black or white (is, are) your choice.
8. That (was, were) incredible.
9. Those (is, are) pretty shoes.
10. The cat or dog (is, are) in the yard.
B.
1. _C_ They have been waiting a long time.
2. _X_ The pen or the pencil are lost.
3. _X_ Someone don’t understand.
4. _X_ Those has been cheaper in the past.
5. _C_ Randy and Juan like sports.
6. _C_ These are really special.
7. _X_ You rides with me.
8. _X_ All children goes to school.
9. _C_ Tony likes Mary.
10. _C_ That movie was awesome.

Subject Verb Agreement: Quiz #2

This quiz covers compound subjects with one singular and one plural noun or pronoun, complex
sentences, and special nouns that can be confusing, like collective and nouns that end with an “s” that are
singular.
A. Directions: Underline the correct verb in these sentences.
1. The girl or her sisters (watch, watches) television every day.
2. Rob (doesn’t, don’t) like sports.
3. His classmates (study, studies) before a test.
4. One of the cookies (is, are) missing.
5. A lady with 10 cats (live, lives) in that big house.
6. Mumps (is, are) very serious.
7. The committee (decide, decides) when to adjourn.
8. Our team (is, are) the best.
9. Everybody (enjoy, enjoys) a good song.
10. Either (is, are) suitable.
B. Directions: Put a C if the sentence is correct, an X if it is not correct.
1. ___ Cats and dogs love to run.
2. ___ He don’t like chocolate.
3. ___ Her friends or Sarah excel at volleyball.
4. ___ Each of these have been ruined.
5. ___ Trousers are baggy now.
6. ___ The students, as well as the teacher, are nervous about the test.
7. ___ The news are on at 10.
8. ___ My family are a lot of fun.
9. ___ Mathematics is hard for many.
10. ___ The director, with all the cast members, works very hard.
Answers:
A.
1. The girl or her sisters (watch, watches) television every day.
2. Rob (doesn’t, don’t) like sports.
3. His classmates (study, studies) before a test.
4. One of the cookies (is, are) missing.
5. A lady with 10 cats (live, lives) in that big house.
6. Mumps (is, are) very serious.
7. The committee (decide, decides) when to adjourn.
8. Our team (is, are) the best.
9. Everybody (enjoy, enjoys) a good song.
10. Either (is, are) suitable.
B.
1. _C_ Cats and dogs love to run.
2. _X_ He don’t like chocolate.
3. _X_ Her friends or Sarah excel at volleyball.
4. _X_ Each of these have been ruined.
5. _C_ Trousers are baggy now.
6. _C_ The students, as well as the teacher, are nervous about the test.
7. _X_ The news are on at 10.
8. _X_ My family are a lot of fun.
9. _C_ Mathematics is hard for many.
10. _C_ The director, with all the cast members, works very hard.

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
RULES FOR SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
RULE 1 – A verb agrees with its subject in number.
Singular subjects take singular verbs:
The car stays in the garage.
The flower smells good.
There is an old saying: “Opposites attract.” The rule for singular and plural verbs is just the opposite
of
the rule for singular and plural nouns. Remember this when you match subjects and verbs. You might
guess that stays and smells are plural verbs because they end in s. They aren’t. Both stays and
smells are
singular verbs.
RULE 2 – The number of the subject (singular or plural) is not changed by words that come between
the
subject and the verb.
One of the eggs is broken. Of the eggs is a prepositional phrase. The subject one and the verb is
are both singular. Mentally omit the prepositional phrase to make the subject verb-agreement
easier to make.
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT EXERCISE 1
Direction: Circle the correct verb in each of the sentences below. Check your answers on the
following
page.
1. Your friend (talk-talks) too much.
2. The man with the roses (look-looks) like your brother.
3. The women in the pool (swim-swims) well.
4. Bill (drive-drives) a cab.
5. The football players (run-runs) five miles every day.
6. That red-haired lady in the fur hat (live-lives) across the street.
7. He (cook-cooks) dinner for his family.
8. The boys (walk-walks) to school every day.
9. The weather on the coast (appear-appears) to be good this weekend.
10. The center on the basketball team (bounce-bounces) the ball too high.
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2
ANSWERS TO SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT EXERCISE I
1. talks
2. looks
3. swim
4. drives
5. run
6. lives
7. cooks
8. walk
9. appears
10. bounces
IT’S YOUR TURN
Directions: Write four sentences of your own illustrating the first two subject-verb agreement rules.
_________________________________________________________________________
RULE 1 _________________________________________________________________________

RULE 2 _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
RULES FOR SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
RULE 3 – Some subjects always take a singular verb even though the meaning may seem plural.
These subjects always take singular verbs:
each someone
either anyone
neither nobody
one somebody
no one anybody
everyone everybody
Someone in the game was (not were) hurt.
Neither of the men is (not are) working.
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3
 RULE 4 – The following words may be singular or plural, depending upon their use in a sentence,
some,
any, all, most.
Most of the news is good. (singular)
Most of the flowers were yellow. (plural)
All of the pizza was gone. (singular)
All of the children were late. (plural)
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT EXERCISE II
Directions: Circle the correct verb in the sentences below. Check your answers on the bottom of this
page.
1. Each of the girls (look-looks) good on skis.
2. Everybody (was-were) asked to remain quiet.
3. Neither of the men (is-are) here yet.
4. (Is-Are) each of the girls ready to leave?
5. Several of the sheep (is-are) sick.
6. Some members of the faculty (is-are) present.
7. Nobody in the class (has-have) the answer.
8. Each of the girls (observe-observes) all the regulations.
9. All of the milk (is-are) gone.
10. Most of the seats (was-were) taken.
ANSWERS TO SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT EXERCISE II
1. looks
2. was
3. is
4. is
5. are
6. are
7. has
8. observes
9
4
9. is
10. were
IT’S YOUR TURN
Directions: Write four sentences of your own illustrating rules 3 and 4.
_________________________________________________________________________
Rule 3 _________________________________________________________________________
Rule 4 _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
RULES FOR SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
RULE 5 – Subjects joined by and are plural. Subjects joined by or or Nor take a verb that agrees with
the last subject.
Bob and George are leaving.
Neither Bob nor George is leaving.
Neither Bob nor his friends are leaving.
RULE 6 – There and here are never subjects. In sentences that begin with these words, the subject
is
usually found later on in the sentence.
There were five books on the shelf. (were, agrees with the subject book)
Here is the report you wanted. (Is agrees with subject report)
RULE 7 – Collective nouns may be singular or plural, depending on their use in the sentence.
A collective noun is a noun used to name a whole group. Following are some common examples:
army crowd orchestra
audience flock public
class group swarm
club herd team
committee jury troop
United States
The orchestra is playing a hit song. (Orchestra is considered as one unit—singular.)
The orchestra were asked to give their musical backgrounds. (Orchestra is considered as separate
individuals—plural)
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5
ANSWERS TO SUBJECT-VERB EXERCISE III
Directions: Circle the correct verb in each of the sentences below. Check your answers at the bottom
of
this page.
1. Margo and her parents (visit-visits) each other often.
2. Either the cups or the glasses (are-is) in the dishwasher.
3. Vern and Fred (need-needs) a ride to work.
4. There (is-are) a dog, a cat, and a bird in the garage.
5. Neither Matt nor his brothers (was-were) at the party.
6. Here into the main ring of the circus (come-comes) the trained elephants.
7. Either the workers or the boss (deliver-delivers) the merchandise.
8. The committee (work-works) hard for better schools.
9. There (is-are) many things to do before the holidays.
10. The jury (was-were) polled for their verdicts.
11. Here (is-are) the nails you need for the projects.
12. Either Joyce or Ellen (was-were) here.
13. The United States (is-are) a country of contrast.
14. A magazine and a book (was-were) lying on the floor.
15. The family (is-are) occupied with their individual problems.
ANSWERS TO SUBJECT-VERB EXERCISE III
1. visit
2. are
3. need
4. are
5. were
6. come
9
6
7. delivers
8. works
9. are
10. were
11. are
12. was
13. is
14. were
15. are
IT’S YOUR TURN
Direction: Write 6 sentences of your own illustrating rules 5, 6, and 7.
_________________________________________________________________________
RULE 5 _________________________________________________________________________
RULE 6 _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
RULE 7 _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
RULES FOR SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
RULE 8 – Expressions of time, money, measurement, and weight are usually singular when the
amount
is considered one unit.
Five dollars is (not are) too much to ask.
Ten days is (not are) not nearly enough time.
On occasion, however these terms are used in the plural sense:
There were thirty minutes to countdown.
RULE 9 – Some nouns, while plural in form, are actually singular in meaning.
Mathematics is (not are) an easy subject for some people.
9
7
Physics is (not are) taught by Prof, Baldwin.
mumps home economics social studies economics
measles calisthenics statistics civics
physics gymnastics phonics news
acrobatics aesthetics thesis mathematics
RULE 10 – Don’t and Doesn’t must agree with the subject. Use doesn’t after he, she, it.
Doesn’t he (not don’t) know how to sail?
They don’t (not doesn’t) make movies like that anymore.
SUBJECT-VERB EXERCISE IV
Directions: Circle the correct verb in each of the sentences below.
1. Mumps (is-are) one of the most uncomfortable diseases.
2. One hundred dollars (is-are) not a lot of money to some people.
3. She (doesn’t-don’t) look very well today.
4. Twenty minutes (is-are) the amount of time it takes me to get home from work.
5. It (doesn’t-don’t) seem so cold today.
6. Gymnastics (is-are) easy for Angela.
7. Interesting news (is-are) what sells our paper.
8. A pound of cookies (cost-costs) about a dollar.
9. They (doesn’t-don’t) think they’ll win the game tonight.
10. He (don’t-doesn’t) speak very well.
ANSWERS TO SUBJECT-VERB EXERCISE IV
1. is
2. is
3. doesn’t
4. is
5. doesn’t
6. is
9
8
7. is
8. costs
9. don’t
10. doesn’t
IT’S YOUR TURN
Direction: Write six sentences of your own illustrating rules 8, 9, and 10.
_________________________________________________________________________
RULE 8 _________________________________________________________________________
RULE 9 _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
RULE 10 _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
PROGRESS CHECK ON SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Directions: Write the correct verb in the blank to the left of each sentence. See the instructor for
answers.
1._________________ Everybody (was-were) asked to be quiet.
2._________________ In a marathon, few of the starters (finishes-finish) the race.
3._________________ Sixty days (is-are) not enough time to complete the project.
4._________________ All of the workers (is-are) receiving their bonus.
5._________________ On our street (is-are) many tall trees.
6._________________ It (don’t-doesn’t) make any difference.
7._________________ The value of cars and motorcycles (has-have) increased.
8._________________ The principal and her husband (is-are) honored guests.
9._________________ Either the pitcher or the base runners (was-were) caught napping.
10._________________ One of my friends (believe-believes) in E.S.P.
11._________________ Have you ever heard the expression, “No new (is-are) good news?”
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9
12._________________ There (was-were) several dents in the car.
13._________________ Louise (doesn’t-don’t) want to drive that long distance.
14._________________ Either Luis or Horace (pay-pays) the bills in our house.
15._________________ A boy and a girl (were-was) here to see you.
16._________________ The box of apples (is-are) on the porch.
17._________________ Some of the job applicants (is-are) expected to pass the difficult screening
test.
18._________________ The army (is-are) conducting maneuvers in March.
19._________________ Here (come-comes) the family now.
20._________________ Neither of us (is-are) going to work.
21._________________ (Doesn’t-Don’t) they know when to quit?
22._________________ Thirty minutes (is-are) the time limit for the test.
23._________________ Measles (is-are) a disease most children experience.
24._________________ The class (is-are) turning in their registration forms today.
25._________________ Beyond the mountains (is-are) a fertile valley.