1. Agreement- Compound Subjects
Writing Lab
Agreement- Compound Subjects

2. Compound Subject Joined by “And”
Compound subjects joined by and usually require plural verbs.
Example: Books and films are available at the library.
Example: Jasmine and Rita forget to take their lab tests each week.
Example: A pencil and notebook paper are needed to take the exam.

3. Compound Subjects as a Single Idea
Sometimes a compound subject stands for a single idea or concept. Then, the compound subject requires a singular verb.
Example: Love and Rockets is my favorite band.
Example: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is my favorite fairy tale.
Example: Thelma and Louise stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis.

4. Compound Subjects Joined by Or, Nor, Either…Or, Neither…Nor
Compound subjects joined by or, nor, either…or, or neither…nor may be singular or plural depending on the subject that is closer to the verb.
Example: Carrie or Will takes the mail to the post office everyday.
Example: Neither Domingo nor Miguel plays the banjo.
Example: Either John or his children are going to Canada next week.

5. That’s all, folks!
This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series
Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon
To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson