1. Get Ready for Class Please!
Put your homework in the purple tray.
Pick up and complete bellringer
Pick up whiteboard materials
Whiteboard
Marker if you need to borrow one
Sock Rag

2. SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT Compound Subjects

3. Compound Subject Joined by AND
Subjects joined by the word AND usually take a plural verb
Our dog and cat get baths in the summer.
Mr. Duffy and his daughter have gone fishing.

4. WATCH OUT
WARNING – A compound subject that names only one person or thing takes a singular verb.
A famous singer and dancer is going to speak at our drama club meeting. [one person is meant]
Macaroni and cheese is my favorite supper. [one dish is meant]

5. Now let’s practice that rule
Now let’s practice that rule. Choose the correct verb from the parentheses to complete the sentence.

6. (Is, Are) the brown bear and the polar bear related?

7. Wind and water (erodes, erode) valuable farmland throughout the United States.

8. My guide and companion in Bolivia (was, were) Pilar.
One person is meant

9. New words and new meanings for old words (is, are) included in a good dictionary.

10. Mrs. Chang and her daughter (rents, rent) an apartment.

11. Compound Subject Joined by OR/NOR
Singular subjects joined by or/nor take a singular verb.
The chief geologist or her assistant is due to arrive tonight. [either one is due not both]
Neither a rabbit nor a mole does that kind of damage. [Neither one does the damage]

12. Compound Subject Joined by OR/NOR
Plural subjects joined by or/nor take a plural verb.
Either mice or squirrels are living in our attic.
Neither the senators nor the representatives want the bill to be voted by the president.

13. Compound Subject Joined by OR/NOR
When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or/nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb.
A book or flowers usually make an appropriate gift. [The verb agrees with the nearer subject, flowers]
Flowers or a book usually makes an appropriate gift. [The verb agrees with the near subject, book]

14. Now let’s practice that rule
Now let’s practice that rule. Choose the correct verb from the parentheses to complete the sentence.

15. Neither pens nor pencils (is, are) needed to make the ballots.

16. Either my aunt or my uncle (is, are) going to drive us.

17. That table or this chair (was, were) made by hand in Portugal.

18. (Has, Have) the sandwiches or other refreshments been served yet?

19. Index cards or a small tablet (is, are) handy for taking notes.

20. Remember our Focus Goal is to be able to recognize and correct errors in subject verb agreement. Let’s Practice Our Proofreading Skills

21. If the sentence is has subject verb agreement write CORRECT on your card. If the sentence does NOT have agreement. Record the correct verb on the card.

22. Iron and calcium needs to be included in a good diet.
Not Correct
Change needs to need
Because AND =plural

23. Mr. Gerbracht and his class has painted a wall-sized map
Not Correct
Change has to have
Because AND =plural

24. One boy or girl take the part of the narrator.
Not Correct
Change take to takes
Because OR joins 2 singular subjects

25. The dentist or her assistants checks my braces.
Not Correct
Change checks to check
Because OR joins to singular and plural subject you have to match the verb to the closest subject assistants

26. Fruit and cheese taste good together.
Correct

27. Tornadoes or hurricanes is dangerous storms.
Not Correct
Change is to are
Because OR joins 2 plural subjects

28. Peanut butter and jelly are my favorite sandwich for lunch.
Not Correct
Change are to is
Because one dish is meant

29. STOP Time to Prove Your Own Knowledge Complete Subject-Verb Agreement Worksheet 3