Identify and correct verb agreement with compound subjects
Key notes :
✅ Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects
What is a Compound Subject? 🤔
A compound subject has two or more subjects joined together.
- They are usually joined by and, or, or nor.
Examples:
- Ravi and Sita 👩🦰👨🦱 play football every Sunday. ⚽
- Either the teacher or the students 👩🏫👨🎓 are responsible for cleaning the classroom. 🧹
Verb Agreement Rules with Compound Subjects 📝
A. Subjects joined by AND ➕
- Usually take a plural verb.
Example: - My brother and sister are coming to the party. 🎉
Tip: If the two subjects refer to the same person or thing, use a singular verb.
- Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich. 🥪
B. Subjects joined by OR / NOR 🤔
- The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Example:
- Either the boys or the girl is going to win the prize. 🏆
- Neither the girl nor the boys are ready. ✅
Special Cases 🌟
- Singular + Plural Subjects
Verb agrees with the nearest subject.
- Either the teacher or the students are responsible. 👩🏫👨🎓
- Collective Nouns
Words like team, family, group may take singular or plural verbs depending on meaning.
- The team is winning the match. 🏅 (acting as one unit)
- The team are arguing among themselves. 🤼 (individual members acting separately)
How to Correct Verb Agreement Errors ✏️❌✅
Step 1: Identify the compound subject.
Step 2: Check the joining word (and, or, nor).
Step 3: Match the verb number (singular/plural) according to rules.
Incorrect:
- Ravi or Sita are going to the mall. ❌
Correct: - Ravi or Sita is going to the mall. ✅
Incorrect:
- My friend and cousin is coming today. ❌
Correct: - My friend and cousin are coming today. ✅
Quick Tips & Tricks 💡
- AND → usually plural verb.
- OR / NOR → verb agrees with nearest subject.
- Watch out for singular ideas joined by AND → use singular verb.
- Read aloud → helps spot agreement errors. 🗣️
✨ Remember: Correct verb agreement makes your sentences smooth, clear, and grammatically correct! ✅✏️
let’s practice!🖊️
