Composition Mini-Lesson #11

AGREEMENT: COMPOUND SUBJECTS

UWF Writing Lab’s 101 Grammar Mini-Lesson Series

Compound subjects joined by and usually require plural verbs.

Example: Books and films are available at the library.

Sometimes a compound subject stands for a single idea or concept. Then, the compound subject requires a singular verb.

Example: Love and Rockets is my favorite band.

Compound subjects joined by or, nor, either…or, or neither…nor may be singular or plural depending on the subject that is closer to the verb.

Example: Carrie or Will takes the mail to the post office everyday.

Either John or his children are going to Canada next week.

In the following sentences, choose the correct verb form.

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ( is / are ) my favorite fairy tale.

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is my favorite fairy tale.

• Neither Domingo nor Miguel ( play / plays ) the banjo.

• Neither Domingo nor Miguel plays the banjo.

• Carmen or I ( goes / go ) to the faculty meeting each month.

• Carmen or I go to the faculty meeting each month.

In the following sentences, choose the correct verb form.

• Jasmine and Rita ( forgets / forget ) to take their lab tests each week.

• Jasmine and Rita forget to take their lab tests each week.

• Thelma and Louise ( stars / star ) Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, but Jennifer and I fondly ( remembers / remember ) Brad Pitt’s role in that movie.

• Thelma and Louise stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, but Jennifer and I fondly remember Brad Pitt’s role in that movie.

• A pencil and notebook paper ( is / are ) needed to take the exam.

• A pencil and notebook paper are needed to take the exam.