SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

• English
• Secondary Education

Neither the plates nor the serving bowl ______on that shelf.

1. go
2. is
3. have
4. goes

Rule:

Subject joined by ór’, ‘nor, either’, ‘neither’ : - according to the nearest subject:

  a) Neither he nor his sister was there.

b) He or his friends are to be blamed.

Based on the same rule add one example of your own.

Excitement, as well as nervousness, ____ the cause of her shaking.

1. are
2. is
3. were
4. has

Rule:

Two singular subjects joined by ‘with, as well as, along with, in addition to’ :  ----  First subject

a) The Prime Minister, with his cabinet colleagues, is supposed to be present.

b) Mr. Prakash as well as his sons is hardworking.

Based on the same rule add one example of your own.

Either Kiana or Casey ______ helping today with stage decorations.

1. is
2. are
3. was
4. were

Rule

Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb.

1) My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.

2) Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.

Based on the same rule add one example of your own.

Five years ___ the maximum sentence for that offense.

1. have
2. are
3. is
4. were

Rule:

Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when considered as a unit.

1) Three miles is too far to walk.

2) Ten dollars is a high price to pay.

Based on the same rule add one example of your own.

The jury ______ divided in their opinion

1. are
2. was
3. has
4. is

Rule:

Collective noun when taken as individual members (jury, committee, team, group, herd) Plural

Collective noun when it is considered one unit. (Jury, committee, family) singular

1) The committee has decided to raise the membership fee.

Based on the same rule add one example of your own.

A lot of the pies _______ disappeared.

1. has
2. is
3. are
4. have

Rule:

With words that indicate portions—e.g., a lot, a majority, some, all—we are guided by the noun after OF. If the noun after of is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.

1) A third of the city is unemployed.

2) A third of the people are unemployed.

Based on the same rule add one example of your own.