Using Subject-Verb Agreement

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Using Subject-Verb Agreement
What is subject-verb agreement? How to fix
problems in agreement Phrases between subjects
and verbs Indefinite pronouns Compound subjects
Subjects after verbs Dont and doesnt Review
A Review B
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What is subject-verb agreement?
Every sentence has a subject and a verb.
Subject
Verb
The dog runs.
The dog runs.
The dog runs.
Subject
Verb
A ship sails.
A ship sails.
A ship sails.
Subject
Verb
Two children play music.
Two children play music.
Two children play music.
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What is subject-verb agreement? Subject
The subject tells whom or what a sentence is
about.
Subject
The balloon is colorful.
The balloon is colorful.
Subject
What are Kim and Brent making?
What are Kim and Brent making?
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What is subject-verb agreement? Verb
A verb expresses an action or a state of being.
Verb
The horses gallop.
The horses gallop.
Action
Verb
State of being
The peaches are ripe.
The peaches are ripe.
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What is subject-verb agreement? Number
Number is the form a word takes to show whether
it is singular or plural.

• A word that refers to one thing is singular.

• A word that refers to more than one is plural.

scientist
goose
she
scientists
geese
they
Singular
Plural
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What is subject-verb agreement? Singular
subjects
A verb should agree in number with its subject.

• Singular subjects take singular verbs.

Singular Verb
Singular Subject
Tabitha rides the train.
Tabitha rides the train.
Tabitha rides the train.
Singular Subject
Singular Verb
He repairs the bicycle.
He repairs the bicycle.
He repairs the bicycle.
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What is subject-verb agreement? Plural subjects

• Plural subjects take plural verbs.

Plural Subject
Plural Verb
The girls ride the train.
The girls ride the train.
The girls ride the train.
Plural Subject
Plural Verb
They repair the bicycle.
They repair the bicycle.
They repair the bicycle.
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What is subject-verb agreement? Plural subjects
Generally, nouns ending in -s are plural, but
verbs ending in -s are singular.
Grammar Guy Says...
Noun
Verb
duck
Singular
quacks
ducks
quack
Plural
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What is subject-verb agreement? Plural subjects
In a verb phrase the first helping verb agrees
with the subject.
Singular Helping Verb
Singular Subject
Verb Phrase
He
is repairing
the bicycle.
is repairing
He
Plural Helping Verb
Plural Subject
Verb Phrase
the bicycle.
are repairing
are repairing
They
They
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What is subject-verb agreement?
Identify the subject of each sentence and tell
whether it is singular or plural. Then, choose
the form of the verb that agrees with the
subject.
1. Firefighters (risks, risk) their lives for
others.
2. The principal (makes, make) announcements each
day.
3. The blue socks (is, are) in the top drawer.
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What is subject-verb agreement?
Identify the subject of each sentence and tell
whether it is singular or plural. Then, choose
the form of the verb that agrees with the
subject.
Subjectplural
1. Firefighters (risks, risk) their lives for
others.
The plural verb risk agrees with the plural
subject firefighters.
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What is subject-verb agreement?
Identify the subject of each sentence and tell
whether it is singular or plural. Then, choose
the form of the verb that agrees with the
subject.
Subjectsingular
2. The principal (makes, make) announcements each
day.
The singular verb makes agrees with the singular
subject principal.
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What is subject-verb agreement?
Identify the subject of each sentence and tell
whether it is singular or plural. Then, choose
the form of the verb that agrees with the
subject.
Subjectplural
3. The blue socks (is, are) in the top drawer.
The subject is socks. The plural verb are agrees
with the plural subject socks.
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What is subject-verb agreement?
On Your Own

• For each sentence, identify the subject, and then
  choose the verb in parentheses that agrees with
  the subject.
• 1. The water (rushes, rush) down the river.
• 2. The bees (buzzes, buzz) around the picnic
  table.
• 3. The photograph (was, were) a gift from my
  cousin.
• At the science fair the winner always
  (receives, receive) a savings bond.
• 5. They (march, marches) in all the parades.

End of Section
15
What is subject-verb agreement?
Answers
For each sentence, identify the subject, and then
choose the verb in parentheses that agrees with
the subject.
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How to fix problems in agreement Phrases
between subjects and verbs
Sometimes a phrase comes between the subject and
the verb.
Phrase
Subject
Verb
Verb
is Coyote.
The hero
of those folk tales
is Coyote.
The number of the subject is usually not changed
by a phrase following the subject.
Subject
Verb
The hero
is Coyote.
of those folk tales
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How to fix problems in agreement Phrase
A phrase is a group of related words that is used
as a single part of speech and that does not
contain both a verb and its subject.
We cleaned up trash at the lake.
Working hard all day, the volunteers made
progress.
My younger brother wanted to come along.
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How to fix problems in agreement Phrases
between subjects and verbs
Subject
Verb
A bag of marbles is on the shelf.
A bag of marbles is on the shelf.
Is agrees with bag, not marbles.
Subject
Verb
The peppers in the garden have grown quickly.
The peppers in the garden have grown quickly.
The helping verb have agrees with peppers, not
garden.
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How to fix problems in agreement Phrases
between subjects and verbs
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
1. The moon over the ocean (is, are) a beautiful
sight.
2. The hands on my watch (glows, glow) in the
dark.
3. Four students from our school (plays, play) in
a band.
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How to fix problems in agreement Phrases
between subjects and verbs
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
1. The moon over the ocean (is, are) a beautiful
sight.
The subject is moon. The singular verb is agrees
with the singular subject moon.
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How to fix problems in agreement Phrases
between subjects and verbs
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
2. The hands on my watch (glows, glow) in the
dark.
The subject is hands. The plural verb glow agrees
with the plural subject hands.
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How to fix problems in agreement Phrases
between subjects and verbs
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
3. Four students from our school (plays, play) in
a band.
The subject is students. The plural verb play
agrees with the plural subject students.
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How to fix problems in agreement Phrases
between subjects and verbs
On Your Own

• For each of the following sentences, choose the
  correct form of the verb in parentheses.
• 1. A tidal wave, despite its name, (is, are) not
  caused by the tides.
• 2. Earthquakes beneath the sea (causes, cause)
  most tidal waves.
• 3. Tidal waves in the open ocean generally (does,
  do) not cause much interest.
• The height of tidal waves there often (remains,
  remain) low.

End of Section
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How to fix problems in agreement Phrases
between subjects and verbs
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the verb in parentheses.
1. A tidal wave, despite its name, (is, are) not
caused by the tides.
2. Earthquakes beneath the sea (causes, cause)
most tidal waves.
3. Tidal waves in the open ocean generally (does,
do) not cause much interest.
4. The height of tidal waves there often
(remains, remain) low.
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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to a person or thing
whose exact identity is unknown.

• Some indefinite pronouns are singular.

• Some are plural.

• Some may be either singular or plural, depending
  on how they are used.

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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
The following indefinite pronouns are singular
Singular indefinite pronouns Singular indefinite pronouns Singular indefinite pronouns Singular indefinite pronouns
anybody either neither one
anyone everybody nobody somebody
anything everyone no one someone
each everything nothing something
Subject
Subject
Verb
Verb
Subject
Verb
Neither of the boys is in my class.
Nothing ever goes on sale at this store.
Everyone on the team dribbles well.
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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
The words one, thing, and body are singular. So
are the indefinite pronouns that contain these
words.
Grammar Guy Says...
One is ready.
Everyone is ready.
Has a thing been learned?
Has anything been learned?
Her body looks healthy.
Nobody looks healthy.
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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
The following indefinite pronouns are plural
Plural indefinite pronouns Plural indefinite pronouns Plural indefinite pronouns Plural indefinite pronouns
both few many several
Verb
Subject
Both of them wear glasses.
Verb
Subject
Few have traveled there.
Subject
Verb
Are many of the tools sharp?
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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
The following indefinite pronouns may be singular
or plural, depending on how they are used
Singular or plural indefinite pronouns Singular or plural indefinite pronouns Singular or plural indefinite pronouns
all more none
any most some
Verb
Subject
Singular when they refer to singular words
Most of the ice has melted.
Subject
Verb
Plural when they refer to plural words
Most of the ice cubes have melted.
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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
1. Many in the crowd (waves, wave) signs.
2. Neither of the radios (works, work) properly.
3. Some of the recipes (calls, call) for fresh
herbs.
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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
1. Many in the crowd (waves, wave) signs.
The indefinite pronoun many is plural and takes a
plural verb.
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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
2. Neither of the radios (works, work) properly.
The indefinite pronoun neither is singular and
takes a singular verb.
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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
3. Some of the recipes (calls, call) for fresh
herbs.
The indefinite pronoun some is plural because
recipes is plural. The plural verb call agrees
with some.
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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
On Your Own

• For each of the following sentences, choose the
  correct form of the verb in parentheses.
• 1. Most of the balloons (has, have) long
  strings.
• 2. Both of these shoes (gives, give) me blisters.
• 3. Someone on the soccer team (needs, need) a new
  uniform.
• Neither of the boys (was, were) wearing a
  helmet.
• 5. None of the house (has, have) been painted yet.

End of Section
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How to fix problems in agreement Indefinite
pronouns
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the verb in parentheses.
1. Most of the balloons (has, have) long strings.
2. Both of these shoes (gives, give) me blisters.
3. Someone on the soccer team (needs, need) a new
uniform.
4. Neither of the boys (was, were) wearing a
helmet.
5. None of the house (has, have) been painted yet.
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How to fix problems in agreement Compound
subjects
A compound subject is two or more subjects that
are joined by a coordinating conjunction and that
have the same verb.

• Subjects joined by and usually take plural verbs.

Red
and
blue
are the schools colors.
Subject 1
Subject 2
Verb
Jana,
and
Kurt,
enjoy skating.
Riley
Verb
Subject 1
Subject 2
Subject 3
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How to fix problems in agreement Coordinating
conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating Conjunctions
and but or nor
for yet so
A coordinating conjunction joins words or groups
of words that are used in the same way.
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How to fix problems in agreement Compound
subjects

• Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a
  singular verb.

bus
nor the
train
stops in our town.
Neither the
Singular
Singular
Verb
Manuel
or
Gina
baby-sits.
On Mondays,
Verb
Singular
Singular
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How to fix problems in agreement Compound
subjects

• Plural subjects joined by or or nor take a plural
  verb.

Curtains
or
artworks
add color to a room.
Verb
Plural
Plural
lemons
nor
limes
were sold there.
Neither
Verb
Plural
Plural
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How to fix problems in agreement Compound
subjects

• When a singular and a plural subject are joined
  by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject
  that is closer to the verb.

Singular
Plural
Verb
flowers
or a
book
usually makes a nice gift.
Either
The verb makes agrees with the nearer subject,
book.
Verb
Singular
Plural
Maria
or her
parents
prepare the lunches.
The verb prepare agrees with the nearer subject,
parents.
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How to fix problems in agreement Compound
subjects
For each of the following sentences, identify
each part of the compound subject. Then, choose
the correct verb form in parentheses.
1. A desert or a jungle (is, are) the setting for
the play.
2. Both my brother and my sister (delivers,
deliver) the morning newspaper.
3. The boss or the workers (has, have) made a
mistake.
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How to fix problems in agreement Compound
subjects
For each of the following sentences, identify
each part of the compound subject. Then, choose
the correct verb form in parentheses.
1. A desert or a jungle (is, are) the setting for
the play.
Two singular subjects joined by or take a
singular verb.
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How to fix problems in agreement Compound
subjects
For each of the following sentences, identify
each part of the compound subject. Then, choose
the correct verb form in parentheses.
2. Both my brother and my sister (delivers,
deliver) the morning newspaper.
Subjects joined by and take a plural verb.
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How to fix problems in agreement Compound
subjects
For each of the following sentences, identify
each part of the compound subject. Then, choose
the correct verb form in parentheses.
3. The boss or the workers (has, have) made a
mistake.
One subject (boss) is singular, and the other
subject (workers) is plural. The verb agrees with
the nearer subject, workers.
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How to fix problems in agreement Compound
subjects
On Your Own
For each of the following sentences, choose the
verb that agrees with the compound
subject. 1. Ants and spiders (has, have) invaded
the backyard. 2. Mandy and her friends (is, are)
going to the movies. 3. A statue or a fountain
(looks, look) good in a park setting. 4. Neither
maples nor elms (grows, grow) well in the valley.
5. Either potatoes or rice (is, are) served with
the chicken.
End of Section
46
How to fix problems in agreement Compound
subjects
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
verb that agrees with the compound subject.
1. Ants and spiders (has, have) invaded the
backyard.
2. Mandy and her friends (is, are) going to the
movies.
3. A statue or a fountain (looks, look) good in a
park setting.
4. Neither maples nor elms (grows, grow) well in
the valley.
5. Either potatoes or rice (is, are) served with
the chicken.
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How to fix problems in agreement Subjects after
verbs
In some sentences the subject comes after the
verb.
Plural Subject
Here
(is, are)
the balloons.
the balloons.
are
When the subject follows the verb . . .
1. Find the subject.
2. Make sure the verb agrees with it.
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How to fix problems in agreement Subjects after
verbs
When the subject follows the verb, rearrange the
sentence in normal order to check for proper
subject-verb agreement.
Grammar Guy Says...
Here
(is, are)
the balloons.
(is, are)
are
The balloons
here.
The balloons
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How to fix problems in agreement Subjects after
verbs
Subjects also appear after verbs in questions.
Plural Subject
Where
(is, are)
the old magazines?
are
the old magazines?
1. Find the subject.
2. Make sure the verb agrees with it.
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How to fix problems in agreement Subjects after
verbs
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject. Be prepared to
explain your answers.
1. There (was, were) several baby rabbits behind
the bush.
2. (Has, Have) your neighbor moved out yet?
3. Where (is, are) the maps for our report?
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How to fix problems in agreement Subjects after
verbs
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject. Be prepared to
explain your answers.
Subject
1. There (was, were) several baby rabbits behind
the bush.
The subject rabbits comes after the verb. Rabbits
is plural, so the correct verb form is were.
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How to fix problems in agreement Subjects after
verbs
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject. Be prepared to
explain your answers.
Subject
2. (Has, Have) your neighbor moved out yet?
The subject neighbor comes after the verb.
Neighbor is singular, so the correct verb form is
has.
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How to fix problems in agreement Subjects after
verbs
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject. Be prepared to
explain your answers.
Subject
3. Where (is, are) the maps for our report?
The subject maps comes after the verb. Maps is
plural, so the correct verb form is are.
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How to fix problems in agreement Subjects after
verbs
On Your Own
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the verb in parentheses. 1.
There (is, are) a new student in my brothers
class. 2. (Was, Were) the fans cheering for the
other team? 3. Where (has, have) Reggie hidden
the gifts? 4. Here (stands, stand) the bravest
heroes among us. 5. There (is, are) several
correct answers to that question.
End of Section
55
How to fix problems in agreement Subjects after
verbs
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the verb in parentheses.
1. There (is, are) a new student in my brothers
class.
2. (Was, Were) the fans cheering for the other
team?
3. Where (has, have) Reggie hidden the gifts?
4. Here (stands, stand) the bravest heroes among
us.
5. There (is, are) several correct answers to
that question.
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How to fix agreement problems Dont and doesnt
The contractions dont and doesnt should agree
with their subjects.
Dont is the contraction of do not. Use it with I
and you and with all plural subjects.
Singular Singular Plural Plural
I dont we dont
you dont you dont
they dont
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How to fix agreement problems Dont and doesnt
Doesnt is the contraction of does not. Use it
with all singular subjects except I and you.
Singular Singular
I dont
you dont

he/she/it doesnt
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How to fix agreement problems Dont and doesnt
Identify the subject in each sentence. Then,
choose the contraction in parentheses that agrees
with the subject.
1. My parents (dont, doesnt) listen to rap
music.
2. This bedroom (dont, doesnt) look very neat.
3. (Dont, Doesnt) he want a ride home?
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How to fix agreement problems Dont and doesnt
Identify the subject in each sentence. Then,
choose the contraction in parentheses that agrees
with the subject.
Subject
1. My parents (dont, doesnt) listen to rap
music.
Parents is plural. Use dont with plural subjects.
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How to fix agreement problems Dont and doesnt
Identify the subject in each sentence. Then,
choose the contraction in parentheses that agrees
with the subject.
Subject
2. This bedroom (dont, doesnt) look very neat.
Bedroom is singular. Use doesnt with singular
subjects.
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How to fix agreement problems Dont and doesnt
Identify the subject in each sentence. Then,
choose the contraction in parentheses that agrees
with the subject.
Subject
3. (Dont, Doesnt) he want a ride home?
He is singular. Use doesnt with singular
subjects.
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How to fix agreement problems Dont and doesnt
On Your Own

• For each of the following sentences, choose the
  correct contraction in parentheses.
• 1. I (dont, doesnt) have any math homework
  tonight.
• 2. (Dont, doesnt) you usually study with Julia?
• 3. That show (dont, doesnt) come on until 900.
  
• My grandparents (dont, doesnt) live near us.
• 5. (Dont, Doesnt) Jerome play the guitar
  anymore?

End of Section
63
How to fix agreement problems Dont and doesnt
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct contraction in parentheses.
1. I (dont, doesnt) have any math homework
tonight.
2. (Dont, doesnt) you usually study with Julia?
3. That show (dont, doesnt) come on until 900.
4. My grandparents (dont, doesnt) live near us.
5. (Dont, Doesnt) Jerome play the guitar
anymore?
64
Review A
Choose the verb form in parentheses that agrees
with the subject.

1. Everyone in her family (prefers, prefer) to drink
   water.

1. Jamal and his parents (enjoys, enjoy) musicals.

1. There (is, are) three baby birds in the nest.

1. Neither the mower nor the weed-eater (works,
   work) well.

5. Industries in the state (includes, include)
farming and mining.
65
Review A
Provide the correct form of the verb in
parentheses.

1. Everyone in her family (prefers, prefer) to drink
   water.

1. Jamal and his parents (enjoys, enjoy) musicals.

1. There (is, are) three baby birds in the nest.

1. Neither the mower nor the weed-eater (works,
   work) well.

5. Industries in the state (includes, include)
farming and mining.
66
Review B
For each of the following sentences, if the
subject and verb do not agree, write the correct
form of the verb. If the verb already agrees with
the subject, write C.

1. This table and this chair were made by hand in
   Mexico.

1. Each of my brothers go to college out of state.

1. Mr. Chang and his class has painted a mural for
   the hall.

1. A tornado or a hurricane is a dangerous storm.

5. Here is the decorations for the dance.
End of Section
67
Review B
For each of the following sentences, if the
subject and verb do not agree, write the correct
form of the verb. If the verb already agrees with
the subject, write C.

1. This table and this chair were made by hand in
   Mexico. C

1. Each of my brothers goes to college out of state.

1. Mr. Chang and his class have painted a mural for
   the hall.

1. A tornado or a hurricane is a dangerous storm. C

5. Here are the decorations for the dance.
68
The End