CA Standard – WC 1.2: Verbs agree with compound subjects

 Third – person singular verbs end in s  Third – person plural verbs do not OPPOSITE of nouns that form their plurals

SingularPlural likes (Ashlyn likes to dance) like (They like to dance) plays (Dylan plays soccer) play (We play soccer) has (Cameron has a book) have (Jill and Jenna have books)

 Compound subject refers to 2 or more subjects that share the same verb

 connected by conjunctions: and, or, nor

 When a compound subject is connected by and the verb that follows is usually PLURAL

 If the parts of the compound subject are thought of as ONE person or thing, the subject is considered singular and takes a singular verb

 When 2 singular subjects are joined by or or nor, use a singular verb

 If 2 plural subjects are joined with or or nor, use a plural verb

 Compound subject is made up of 1 singular and 1 plural subject joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject closer to it

1. Neither adults nor a child (is/are) permitted to touch anything in the White House. 2. The Senate and the House of Representatives (meet/ meets) in the Capitol Building. 3. The East Room and the State Dining Room (is/are) also open to tours. 4. Corned beef and cabbage (is/are) a dish the cafeteria sometimes serves. 5. Uniformed police and Secret Service agents (patrol/ patrols) the White House.