Just follow the rules...

2. Subjects and verbs must
agree in number. This is the
cornerstone rule that forms
the background of the
concept.

3. The subject and verb
must agree in number
both must be singular,
or both must be plural.

4. The dog growls when he
is angry.
The dogs growl when
they are angry.

5. Don’t get confused by the
words that come between
the subject and verb; they
do not affect agreement.

6. The dog, who is
chewing on my
jeans, is usually very
good.

7. Prepositional
phrases between the
subject and verb usually do
not affect agreement.

8. The colors of the
rainbow are beautiful.

9. . When sentences start with
“there” or “here,” the
subject will always be
placed after the verb, so
care needs to be taken to
identify it correctly.

10. There is a problem with
the balance sheet.
Here are the papers you
requested.

11. Subjects don't always come
before verbs in questions.
Make sure you accurately
identify the subject before
deciding on the proper verb
form to use.

12. Does Lefty usually eat g
rass?
Where are the pieces of
this puzzle?

13. If two subjects are
joined by and, they
typically require a
plural verb form.

14. The cow and the pig are
jumping over the moon.

15. The verb is singular if
the two subjects
separated by and refer
to the same person or
thing.

16. Red beans and rice
is my mom's favorite
dish.

17. If one of the
words each, every, or
no before the subject,
the verb is singular.

18. No smoking or drinking
is allowed.
Every man and woman
is required to check in.

19. If the subjects are both
singular and are
connected by the words or,
nor, neither/nor, either/or,
and not only/but also the
verb is singular.

20. Jessica or Christian is to
blame for the accident.

21.  The only time when the object of the
preposition factors into the decision of
plural or singular verb forms is when
noun and pronoun subjects like some,
half, none, more, all, etc. are followed
by a prepositional phrase. In these
sentences, the object of the preposition
determines the form of the verb.

22. All of the chicken is
gone.
All of the chickens are
gone.

23. The singular verb
form is usually used
for units of
measurement or time.

24. Four quarts of oil
was required to get the
car running.

25. If the subjects are both plural
and are connected by the
words or, nor, neither/nor,
either/or, and not only/but
also, the verb is plural.

26. Dogs and cats are both
available at the pound.

27. If one subject is singular and one
plural and the words are
connected by the words or, nor,
neither/nor, either/or, and not
only/but also, you use the verb
form of the subject that is nearest
the verb.

28. Either the bears or the lion
has escaped from the
zoo.
Neither the lion nor
the bears have escaped
from the zoo.

29. Indefinite pronouns
typically take singular
verbs.

30. Everybody wants to be
loved.
Someone is looking for you.

31. pronouns (few, many,
several, both, all,
some) that always
take the plural form.


32. Few were left alive after the
flood.
Many are called but few are
chosen.

33. If two infinitives are
separated by and they
take the plural form of
the verb.

34. To walk and to chew gum
require great skill.

35. When gerunds are used as
the subject of a sentence, they
take the singular verb form of
the verb; but, when they are
linked by and, they take the
plural form.

36. Standing in the water was a
bad idea.
Swimming in the ocean
and playing drums are my
hobbies.

37. Collective nouns like
herd, senate, class,
crowd, etc. usually take
a singular verb form.

38. The herd is stampeding.
The senate is in session.

39. Titles of books, movies,
novels, etc. are treated
as singular and take a
singular verb.

40. The Burbs is a movie
starring Tom Hanks.

41. Final Rule –
Remember, only the
subject affects the verb!

43. 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.

45.  Sally (run, runs) to the park every day.
 The dogs (bark, barks,) at strangers.
 Ted and Mary (is, are) going to the movies.
 The game (was, were) exciting.
 They (worry, worries) too much.
 She (study, studies) every night.
 Black or white (is, are) your choice.
 That (was, were) incredible.
 Those (is, are) pretty shoes.
 The cat or dog (is, are) in the yard.

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

47. 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.

49.  _C_ They have been waiting a long time.
 _X_ The pen or the pencil are lost.
 _X_ Someone don’t understand.
 _X_ Those has been cheaper in the past.
 _C_ Randy and Juan like sports.
 _C_ These are really special.
 _X_ You rides with me.
 _X_ All children goes to school.
 _C_ Tony likes Mary.
 _C_ That movie was awesome.

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

51. 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.

53.  The girl or her sisters (watch, watches) television
every day.
 Rob (doesn’t, don’t) like sports.
 His classmates (study, studies) before a test.
 One of the cookies (is, are) missing.
 A lady with 10 cats (live, lives) in that big house.
 Mumps (is, are) very serious.
 The committee (decide, decides) when to adjourn.
 Our team (is, are) the best.
 Everybody (enjoy, enjoys) a good song.
 Either (is, are) suitable

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

55. 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.

57.  _C_ Cats and dogs love to run.
 _X_ He don’t like chocolate.
 _X_ Her friends or Sarah excel at volleyball.
 _X_ Each of these have been ruined.
 _C_ Trousers are baggy now.
 _C_ The students, as well as the teacher, are nervous
about the test.
 _X_ The news are on at 10.
 _X_ My family are a lot of fun.
 _C_ Mathematics is hard for many.
 _C_ The director, with all the cast members, works very
hard.

59. 1. Some members of
the teachers’ union
(want, wants) to go on
strike.

60. 2. Jane’s raincoat,
with all the rips and
tears, (provide,
provides) little
protection.

61. 3. There (is, are) a
lot of trees on our
block.

62. 4. Where (is, are)
my keys?

63. 5. In the
background (was,
were) a big yellow
sun.

64. 6. A small black cat
and a large yellow
dog (sit, sits) on the
front stairs.

65. 7. The boss and her
secretary (eat, eats)
lunch at the same
time.

66. 8. For a delicious
salad, fresh
ingredients and a
large bowl (is, are)
essential.

67. 9. Comfortable shoes
and loose-fitting
clothing (was, were)
reccommended by the
instructor.

68. 10. Not only the
students but also the
teacher (was, were)
anxious to finish the
lesson.

69. 11. Neither of those
hats (suit, suits) your
face.

70. 12. Somebody in the
book club always (forget,
forgets) to bring the
book.

71. 13. Something in that
curry (make, makes) me
sneeze.

72. 14. One of those socks
(is, are) lighter than the
other.

73. 15. Everyone (like,
likes) Mary’s key lime
pie.