Subject-Verb Agreement – Compound Subject
The word “compound” means “made up of two or more parts.” Two or more words can
be compounded or linked by joining them with any of three words: and, or, and nor.
apples
oranges
apples and oranges
Compound nouns can function as a “compound subject.” In some instances, a
compound subject poses special problems for the subject-verb agreement rule (+s, -s).
dog cat bird
dog, cat, or bird
The camper sees a bear.
The ranger sees a bear.
ranger = singular noun (no “s”)
sees = singular verb (“s”)
camper = singular noun (no “s”)
sees = singular verb (“s”)
However, instead of using two sentences (as above), we may choose to give the above information in one
sentence. This sentence makes use of a compound subject (two subject nouns joined by and), illustrating
a new rule about subject-verb agreement.
Although each part of the compound subject is singular (ranger and camper), taken together (joined
by and), each one becomes a part of a plural structure and, therefore, must take a plural verb (see) to
agree in the sentence.
The ranger and camper see the bear.
RULE #1 – Two or more singular (or plural) subjects joined by and act as a plural compound subject and
take a plural verb (singular + singular = plural).
They see the bear.
You can check the verb by substituting the pronoun they for the compound subject.
RULE #2 – Two or more SINGULAR subjects joined by or (or nor) act as a singular compound
subject and, therefore, take a singular verb to agree.
The ranger or the camper sees the bear.
Or and nor as joiners work somewhat differently from and. While the word and seems to ADD things
together, or and nor do not. They suggest (or imply) a CHOICE. This sentence makes use of a compound
subject (two subject nouns joined together by or) and therefore, requires a singular verb to agree with it.
Note: Two or more plural subjects joined by or (or nor) would
naturally take a plural verb to agree.
The rangers or the campers see the bear.
However, or and nor can pose a more difficult problem. What if one part of the compound subject
is singular and the other part is plural?
Solution:
1. If the individual parts of the compound subject are joined by and,
always use a plural verb.
The ranger and the campers see the bear.
The rangers and the camper see the bear.
2. If the individual parts of the compound subject are joined by or or nor, use the verb form (singular or
plural) which will agree with the subject closer to the verb.
The ranger or the campers see the bear.
The rangers or the camper sees the bear.
The rangers, the explorers, or the camper sees the bear.
https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/moduleSVAGR.htm
Name _______________________________
Subject - Verb Agreement - Exercise 4
Part I
Directions: Each sentence below contains a compound subject. Circle the correct verb from the
parentheses to agree with the compound subject.
1. Both Democrats and Republicans (is, are) electing a new leader.
2. Neither threats nor hostile action (scares, scare) the enemy.
3. The actors and the director (understands, understand) the lighting problems.
4. The surfer or the swimmers (is, are) responsible for the littered beach.
5. A good diet and a realistic exercise plan (combines, combine) to help one lose weight.
Part II
Directions: This group of sentences contains a mixture of correct and incorrect subject-verb
combinations. Read each sentence carefully. If the subject and verb agree, write "correct" in
the space provided below. If the subject and verb do not agree, cross out the incorrect verb
and write the correct form of the verb in the space provided.
6. A sweet potato and some carrots provides Vitamin A, important for healthy eyes.
7. The eyes or the skin is often adversely affected by a lack of Vitamin A.
8. Neither bleach nor dyes really helps unhealthy hair look better.
9. Ripe tomatoes, leafy Brussels sprouts, and a handy orange is rich in Vitamin C.
10. Unfortunately for the sedentary, neither diet nor vitamins alone provide sufficient fuel for good
health.