Subject verb agreement exercises

Summary: Ever get "subject/verb agreement" as an error on a paper? This handout will help you understand this common grammar problem. This handout gives you several guidelines to help your subjects and verbs agree. 1. When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb. His friends or the boy runs every day. 4. Doesn't is a contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural subject. The exception to this rule appears in the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you. With these pronouns, the contraction don't should be used. The crew is preparing to dock the ship. This sentence is referring to the individual efforts of each crew member. The Gregg Reference Manual provides excellent explanations of subject-verb agreement (section 10: 1001). 11. Expressions such as with, together with, including, accompanied by, in addition to, or as well do not change the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is too.

Subject and Verb Agreement (Advanced Level) Quiz 1.For each of the following, choose the sentence in which the subjects and verbs have been correctly identified and in which the subjects and verbs agree. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined. A) At the end of the story, they was living happily ever after. B) At the end of the story, they were living happily ever after. C) At the end of the story, they were living happily ever after. D) At the end of the story, they was living happily ever after. 2. A) Al and Eli go to the beach to surf with their friends. B) Al and Eli go to the beach to surf with their friends. C) Al and Eli goes to the beach to surf with their friends. D) Al and Eli goes to the beach to surf with their friends. 3. A) When Al and Eli arrive, they find that their friends has waxed their boards. B) When Al and Eli arrive, they find that their friends has waxed their boards. C) When Al and Eli arrive, they find that their friends have waxed their boards. D) When Al and Eli arrive, they find that their friends have waxed their boards. 4. A) A group of children from that school are not being cooperative. B) A group of children from that school is not being cooperative. C) A group of children from that school is not being cooperative. D) A group of children from that school are not being cooperative. 5. A) Unless our staff members really do cooperate, we will not meet our goals. B) Unless our staff members really do cooperate, we will not meet o...

1. Emily and Greg ( comes, come ) to my house every Friday for lunch. 2. There ( is, are ) time to watch the movie. 3. My friends who are in the band ( wants, want ) me to play a musical instrument. 4. My father or my brothers ( is, are ) coming with me to the ball game. 5. Everyone ( needs, need ) time to relax. 6. That bag of oranges ( looks, look ) fresh. 7. The lacrosse team ( hopes, hope ) to win the tournament next week. 8. Your trousers ( needs, need ) to be cleaned. 9. Some of the books on the shelf ( is, are ) dusty. 10. Even though the students like the class, a few ( thinks, think ) that it is too complicated.

A singular subject must always be matched with a singular verb, and a plural subject must always be matched with a plural verb. See details below for subject verb agreement rules with examples. The verb is affected only when in PRESENT tense, for the THIRD person. Subject Lessons: Subject Exercises: PDF Exercises: Similar Subjects: