📚 Detailed Explanation of Using the Correct Subject or Verb with Compound Subjects
When learning about using the correct subject or verb with compound subjects, it’s important to understand what a compound subject is and how it affects the verb in a sentence. A compound subject happens when there are two or more subjects joined together by words like and or or.
🤔 What is a Compound Subject?
A compound subject contains two or more nouns (people, places, things, or ideas) that act as the subject of the sentence. These subjects are often connected by and, or, or nor.
Examples:
- Tom and Jerry are friends.
- My mum or dad is coming to pick me up.
⚖️ Using the Correct Verb with Compound Subjects
1. Compound Subject Joined by and
When two subjects are joined by and, they usually form a plural subject. This means the verb should be plural, which means we use the base form of the verb without an -s or -es.
Examples:
- The cat and dog are playing outside.
- Anna and Jake have finished their homework.
Remember: Use a plural verb because the subject is more than one person or thing.
2. Compound Subject Joined by or or nor
When two subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the part of the subject closest to the verb.
- If the closest subject is singular, use a singular verb.
- If the closest subject is plural, use a plural verb.
Examples:
- Either the teacher or the students are going to lead the game. (Because “students” is plural.)
- Neither the boys nor the girl is ready for the race. (Because “girl” is singular.)
📝 Quick Tips to Remember
- And = plural verb (because it’s more than one subject)
- Or / Nor = verb agrees with the closest subject
✏️ Practice Examples
Choose the correct verb for each compound subject:
- The dogs and cats (is / are) outside.
- Either Paul or Sara (is / are) coming.
- Neither the book nor the pens (is / are) on the table.
- My mum and dad (has / have) arrived.
Answers:
- are
- is
- are
- have
Using the right verb with compound subjects can make your sentences clearer and more interesting. Keep practising, and soon it will become easy! 😊
📝 20 Examination-Style Questions with Answers on Using the Correct Subject or Verb with Compound Subjects
1. Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence:
My brother and sister (is / are) playing football.
Answer: are
Explanation: When two subjects are joined by and, the verb is plural, so we use are.
2. Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence:
Either the teacher or the students (has / have) the answer.
Answer: have
Explanation: When subjects are joined by or, the verb agrees with the closest subject. Students is plural, so use have.
3. Choose the correct verb:
Neither the dog nor the cats (is / are) outside.
Answer: are
Explanation: With neither…nor, the verb agrees with the closest subject (cats is plural) so we use are.
4. Fill in the blank with the correct verb:
Tom and Jerry (runs / run) very fast.
Answer: run
Explanation: Compound subjects joined by and take a plural verb.
5. Choose the correct verb:
The teacher and the principal (was / were) at the meeting.
Answer: were
Explanation: Two subjects joined by and need a plural verb.
6. Complete the sentence with the correct verb:
Either the apples or the banana (is / are) missing.
Answer: is
Explanation: The verb agrees with the closest subject (banana is singular), so use is.
7. Choose the correct verb:
My mum or my dad (does / do) the shopping.
Answer: does
Explanation: The verb agrees with the closest subject (dad is singular), so use does.
8. Fill in the blank:
Neither the boys nor the girl (was / were) late.
Answer: was
Explanation: Verb agrees with the closest subject (girl is singular).
9. Pick the correct verb:
Jack and Jill (is / are) going up the hill.
Answer: are
Explanation: Jack and Jill joined by and form a plural subject.
10. Use the correct verb:
Either the pen or the pencils (is / are) on the desk.
Answer: are
Explanation: The closest subject (pencils) is plural, so use are.
11. Complete the sentence:
The cake and the cookies (was / were) delicious.
Answer: were
Explanation: Two items joined by and take a plural verb.
12. Choose the correct verb:
Neither the cat nor the dogs (wants / want) to go outside.
Answer: want
Explanation: Verb agrees with closest subject (dogs plural), so want.
13. Fill in the blank:
Tom or Jerry (is / are) responsible for the mess.
Answer: is
Explanation: Closest subject Jerry (singular) so use is.
14. Choose the right verb:
Sam and his friends (was / were) very excited.
Answer: were
Explanation: Compound subjects joined by and are plural.
15. Pick the correct verb:
Neither the rain nor the wind (has / have) stopped.
Answer: has
Explanation: Closest subject wind is singular, so use has.
16. Complete the sentence:
The teacher or the students (is / are) answering the questions.
Answer: are
Explanation: Verb agrees with closest subject students (plural).
17. Choose the correct verb:
Bread and butter (is / are) my favourite breakfast.
Answer: is
Explanation: When two nouns joined by and refer to one thing, use singular verb.
18. Fill in the blank:
Neither the boys nor their teacher (is / are) here yet.
Answer: is
Explanation: Verb agrees with closest subject teacher (singular).
19. Pick the right verb:
The books or the pen (was / were) on the table.
Answer: was
Explanation: Closest subject pen is singular.
20. Choose the correct verb:
The sun and the moon (shines / shine) in the sky.
Answer: shine
Explanation: Joined by and = plural subject, so use shine.
These questions help practise using the correct subject or verb with compound subjects. Remember, when subjects are joined by and, we usually use a plural verb. When joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the closest subject. This will help you write clear and grammatically correct sentences! ✍️✅
