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Subject verb agreement with compound subjects
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A lesson in Subject Verb Agreement
Which verb to use with compound subjects
What are compound subjects?
Coordinating conjunctions
When a sentence has two or more subjects, that's called a compound subject.
Coordinating Conjunctions
How are they joined?
A sentence with a compound subject will be joined by a coordinating conjunction like:
and, or, nor, neither
How do you know which verb agreements to use?
Rule 1
Rule 1:
When the subjects are joined by the coordinating conjunction "and" then you use the verb that agrees with the pronoun "they"
Lets look at this...
Examples
REMEMBER: When the subjects are joined by "and," the verb agrees with the pronoun "they."
Joanie and Chachi love each other. NOT "loves each other"
Would this make sense: They loves each other... NO!
When the subjects are joined by "and" use the pronoun "they" to agree with the verb
Try these
Mr. Madison and the students ___________ leaving soon.
The cat and the dog ___________ indoors.
The fork and spoons ___________ to be washed.
take a look...
Mr. Madison and the students are leaving soon.
The cat and the dog stay indoors.
The fork and spoons need to be washed.
Did you get it?
Rule 2
When the subjects are joined by "or" or "neither/nor," the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to the verb.
Rule 2
Remember: When the subjects are joined by "or" or "neither/nor," the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to the verb.
Examples
The piano or the bookcase has to go.
But why is it "has" and not "have"?
Think about the RULE!
Would this make sense:
The bookcase have to go upstairs?
NO!
Remember the rule...
Try these...
The piano or the tables _________ to go.
use: "has"/"have"
Neither the pillows nor the curtains ________the couch.
use: "matches"/"match"
Neither the pillows nor the blanket ________ good
in this room
use: "looks"/ "look"
Take a look...
Did you get it?
The piano or the tables have to go.
Neither the pillows nor the curtains match the couch.
Neither the pillows nor the blanket looks good in this room