Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, ensuring that verbs correctly match their subjects in number. While singular and plural subjects are relatively straightforward, compound subjects – those joined by conjunctions like ‘and,’ ‘or,’ and ‘nor’ – can present unique challenges.
Mastering subject-verb agreement with compound subjects is crucial for clear and effective communication, both in writing and speaking. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying the rules of subject-verb agreement with compound subjects, suitable for learners of all levels who wish to refine their grammar skills and enhance their fluency.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Compound Subjects
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Compound Subjects
- Examples of Compound Subjects in Sentences
- Usage Rules for Compound Subjects
- Common Mistakes with Compound Subjects
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Subject-Verb Agreement
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Compound Subjects
A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction, usually ‘and,’ ‘or,’ or ‘nor.’ These subjects share the same verb in a sentence. The verb must agree in number with the compound subject. Determining whether the verb should be singular or plural depends on the specific conjunction used and the nature of the subjects themselves. Understanding the rules governing compound subjects is essential for maintaining grammatical accuracy.
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure of a sentence with a compound subject follows this pattern: Subject 1 + Conjunction + Subject 2 + Verb + Rest of the Sentence. The key is to identify the subjects and the conjunction correctly to determine the appropriate verb form. For instance, in the sentence “John and Mary are going to the park,” ‘John’ and ‘Mary’ are the subjects, ‘and’ is the conjunction, and ‘are’ is the verb. The verb agrees with the plural compound subject.
Types of Compound Subjects
Subjects Joined by ‘And’
When subjects are joined by ‘and,’ they generally create a plural compound subject. This means the verb should be in its plural form.
This is the most common scenario and the rule most learners encounter first. However, there are exceptions, particularly when the subjects refer to a single entity or idea.
Subjects Joined by ‘Or’ or ‘Nor’
When subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor,’ the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. This rule is known as the proximity rule. This rule can be tricky, especially when one subject is singular and the other is plural. The proximity rule helps resolve these conflicts.
Subjects Joined by ‘Either/Or’ or ‘Neither/Nor’
Similar to ‘or’ and ‘nor,’ when subjects are joined by ‘either/or’ or ‘neither/nor,’ the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb. These correlative conjunctions function similarly to ‘or’ and ‘nor’ in determining verb agreement.
Collective Nouns as Compound Subjects
Collective nouns, such as ‘team,’ ‘family,’ or ‘committee,’ can act as compound subjects. Their verb agreement depends on whether they are acting as a single unit (singular verb) or as individual members (plural verb).
This requires careful consideration of the sentence’s meaning.
Examples of Compound Subjects in Sentences
The following tables provide numerous examples of sentences with compound subjects, categorized by the conjunction used. Each table includes a variety of sentence structures to illustrate the rules and exceptions.
Table 1: Examples with Subjects Joined by ‘And’
This table showcases sentences where subjects are joined by the conjunction “and.” Note that in most cases, this results in a plural verb form.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| John and Mary are going to the store. | ‘John’ and ‘Mary’ are two distinct subjects, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The dog and the cat play together in the yard. | Two separate animals performing the action, requiring the plural verb ‘play.’ |
| Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich. | ‘Peanut butter and jelly’ is considered a single unit (a sandwich), hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| My brother and I are planning a trip. | ‘My brother’ and ‘I’ are two individuals, so the plural verb ‘are’ is used. |
| The president and CEO is addressing the employees. | If the president and CEO is the same person, the singular verb ‘is’ is correct. |
| Pizza and beer are a great combination. | ‘Pizza and beer’ are considered a combination, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The book and the pen are on the table. | Two separate items located on the table, necessitating the plural verb ‘are’. |
| Her sister and her friend are coming to the party. | Two individuals attending the party, thus requiring the plural verb ‘are’. |
| The singer and the dancer are performing tonight. | Two distinct performers, so the plural verb ‘are’ is used. |
| Rice and beans is a common dish in many cultures. | ‘Rice and beans’ can be considered a single dish, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The teacher and the student are working on the project together. | Two distinct individuals collaborating, requiring the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| My mom and dad are always there for me. | Two individuals providing support, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The car and the motorcycle need to be repaired. | Two separate vehicles needing repair, necessitating the plural verb ‘need.’ |
| Coffee and donuts are a classic breakfast combination. | ‘Coffee and donuts’ are considered a combination, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The actor and the director are collaborating on the film. | Two distinct individuals working together, requiring the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| Love and compassion are essential qualities. | Two distinct qualities, thus requiring the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The house and the garden are well-maintained. | Two separate areas being maintained, necessitating the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| My aunt and uncle are visiting us next week. | Two individuals coming to visit, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The sun and the moon are celestial bodies. | Two distinct celestial bodies, requiring the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| Honesty and integrity are important values. | Two separate values, thus requiring the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| Bread and butter is often served as a starter. | ‘Bread and butter’ can be considered a single item, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The bride and groom are dancing the night away. | Two individuals celebrating, thus requiring the plural verb ‘are’. |
| The author and the illustrator are signing books. | Two separate individuals, therefore using the plural form ‘are’. |
Table 2: Examples with Subjects Joined by ‘Or’ or ‘Nor’
This table illustrates sentences where subjects are joined by “or” or “nor.” The verb agreement depends on the subject closest to the verb.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| John or Mary is going to the store. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘Mary,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the dog nor the cats are allowed on the couch. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘cats,’ the subject closest to it. |
| The manager or the employees are responsible. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ’employees,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither she nor I am going to the party. | The verb ‘am’ agrees with ‘I,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the students or the teacher is presenting. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘teacher,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the rain nor the snow is stopping us. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘snow,’ the subject closest to it. |
| The book or the magazines are on the shelf. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘magazines,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the parents nor the child wants to leave. | The verb ‘wants’ agrees with ‘child,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the car or the bus is the best option. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘bus,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the players nor the coach was happy with the result. | The verb ‘was’ agrees with ‘coach,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the cake or the cookies are for dessert. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘cookies,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the pen nor the pencils are working. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘pencils,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the movie or the show is starting soon. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘show,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the flowers nor the vase is suitable. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘vase,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the apples or the orange is on the table. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘orange,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the lights nor the fan is working properly. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘fan,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the music or the lyrics are the problem. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘lyrics,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the singer nor the band is performing. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘band,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the play or the actors are to blame. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘actors,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the question nor the answers are correct. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘answers,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the cat or the dogs are making noise. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘dogs,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the students nor the professor knows the answer. | The verb ‘knows’ agrees with ‘professor,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the book or the notes are helpful. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘notes,’ the subject closest to it. |
Table 3: Examples with ‘Either/Or’ and ‘Neither/Nor’
This table provides additional examples using the correlative conjunctions “either/or” and “neither/nor,” further illustrating the proximity rule.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Either the students or the teacher is responsible. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘teacher,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the players nor the coach was happy. | The verb ‘was’ agrees with ‘coach,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the cat or the dogs are making noise. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘dogs,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the book nor the papers are organized. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘papers,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the movie or the shows are entertaining. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘shows,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the rain nor the clouds are a good sign. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘clouds,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the bread or the rolls are for dinner. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘rolls,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the salt nor the pepper is necessary. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘pepper,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the car or the trucks are available. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘trucks,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the questions nor the answer is correct. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘answer,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the supervisor or the workers are going to be there. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘workers,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the computer nor the printers are working. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘printers,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the principal or the teachers are informed. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘teachers,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the novel nor the magazines are interesting. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘magazines,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the singer or the musicians are performing soon. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘musicians,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the weather nor the roads are safe for travel. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘roads,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the juice or the soda is on the table. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘soda,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the laptop nor the tablets are charged. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘tablets,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the manager or the staff is attending the meeting. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘staff,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the director nor the actors are ready. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘actors,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the lights or the generator is needed. | The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘generator,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Neither the lock nor the keys are in the drawer. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘keys,’ the subject closest to it. |
| Either the parents or the children are invited. | The verb ‘are’ agrees with ‘children,’ the subject closest to it. |
Table 4: Examples with Collective Nouns
This table illustrates how collective nouns can function as compound subjects, requiring either a singular or plural verb depending on the context.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The team is playing well tonight. | ‘Team’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The team are arguing about their strategies. | ‘Team’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The family is united in their decision. | ‘Family’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The family are disagreeing on the vacation plans. | ‘Family’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The committee is meeting next week. | ‘Committee’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The committee are divided on the issue. | ‘Committee’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The audience is enjoying the performance. | ‘Audience’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The audience are clapping enthusiastically. | ‘Audience’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The staff is dedicated to their work. | ‘Staff’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The staff are taking different approaches. | ‘Staff’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The jury is delivering its verdict. | ‘Jury’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The jury are unable to agree on a verdict. | ‘Jury’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The class is studying for the exam. | ‘Class’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The class are presenting their projects. | ‘Class’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The government is implementing new policies. | ‘Government’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The government are debating the bill. | ‘Government’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The band is playing a concert. | ‘Band’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The band are tuning their instruments. | ‘Band’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The board is making a decision. | ‘Board’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The board are expressing different opinions. | ‘Board’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
| The congregation is singing hymns. | ‘Congregation’ is acting as a single unit, hence the singular verb ‘is.’ |
| The congregation are greeting each other. | ‘Congregation’ members are acting individually, hence the plural verb ‘are.’ |
Usage Rules for Compound Subjects
General Rules
The primary rule is that subjects joined by ‘and’ usually take a plural verb. Subjects joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ take a verb that agrees with the subject closest to it.
These rules provide a solid foundation for understanding subject-verb agreement with compound subjects.
When using ‘either/or’ and ‘neither/nor,’ the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. This is a consistent application of the proximity rule.
Remember to pay close attention to the order of the subjects.
Exceptions to the Rules
There are exceptions to the ‘and’ rule. If the subjects joined by ‘and’ refer to a single entity or idea, a singular verb is used.
For example, “Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish.” Here, ‘macaroni and cheese’ is considered one dish.
Another exception occurs when the compound subject is preceded by ‘each’ or ‘every.’ In these cases, the verb should be singular. For example, “Each student and teacher is required to attend.”
Special Cases
Titles of books, movies, or songs, even if they contain ‘and,’ usually take a singular verb. For example, “Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel.” The title as a whole is considered a single unit.
Expressions of time, money, or measurement, when considered as a unit, also take a singular verb. For example, “Five dollars and fifty cents is all I have.”
Common Mistakes with Compound Subjects
One common mistake is using a singular verb with subjects joined by ‘and’ when they are clearly separate entities. For example, the incorrect sentence “John and Mary is going to the store” should be “John and Mary are going to the store.”
Another frequent error is failing to apply the proximity rule correctly with ‘or’ and ‘nor.’ For example, the incorrect sentence “Neither the students nor the teacher were present” should be “Neither the students nor the teacher was present.”
A third mistake is using a plural verb with collective nouns when they are acting as a single unit. For example, the incorrect sentence “The team are playing well” should be “The team is playing well” if the team is acting as a cohesive unit.
Table 5: Common Mistakes and Corrections
This table highlights common errors in subject-verb agreement with compound subjects and provides the correct versions.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| John and Mary is going to the store. | John and Mary are going to the store. | Subjects joined by ‘and’ generally take a plural verb. |
| Neither the students nor the teacher were present. | Neither the students nor the teacher was present. | Verb agrees with the subject closest to it (‘teacher’). |
| The team are playing well. | The team is playing well. | ‘Team’ acting as a single unit takes a singular verb. |
| Peanut butter and jelly are my favorite sandwich. | Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich. | ‘Peanut butter and jelly’ is considered a single item. |
| Either the book or the papers is on the table. | Either the book or the papers are on the table. | Verb agrees with the subject closest to it (‘papers’). |
| My brother and me is going to the movies. | My brother and I are going to the movies. | Correct pronoun usage (‘I’ instead of ‘me’) and plural verb. |
| Neither the dog nor the cats was fed. | Neither the dog nor the cats were fed. | Verb agrees with the subject closest to it (‘cats’). |
| Every student and teacher are required to attend. | Every student and teacher is required to attend. | ‘Every’ before the compound subject makes the verb singular. |
| The committee are divided on the issue. | The committee is divided on the issue. | ‘Committee’ acting as a single unit takes a singular verb. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of subject-verb agreement with compound subjects by completing the following exercises. Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.
Exercise 1: Choose the correct verb (is/are).
Table 6: Practice Exercise 1
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. John and Mary _______ going to the park. | are |
| 2. Either the cat or the dogs _______ making noise. | are |
| 3. Peanut butter and jelly _______ my favorite sandwich. | is |
| 4. The team _______ playing well tonight. | is |
| 5. Neither the students nor the teacher _______ present. | was |
| 6. My brother and I _______ planning a trip. | are |
| 7. The book and the pen _______ on the table. | are |
| 8. The family _______ united in their decision. | is |
| 9. Rice and beans _______ a common dish. | is |
| 10. The singer and the dancer _______ performing tonight. | are |
Exercise 2: Choose the correct verb (has/have).
Table 7: Practice Exercise 2
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. John and Mary _______ finished their homework. | have |
| 2. Either the cat or the dogs _______ eaten the food. | have |
| 3. The team _______ won the championship. | has |
| 4. The committee _______ made a decision. | has |
| 5. Neither the students nor the teacher _______ arrived yet. | has |
| 6. My brother and I _______ seen that movie. | have |
| 7. The book and the pen _______ been moved. | have |
| 8. The family _______ planned their vacation. | has |
| 9. Rice and beans _______ been cooked. | has |
| 10. The singer and the dancer _______ rehearsed the performance. | have |
Exercise 3: Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb (be).
Table 8: Practice Exercise 3
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. John and Mary _______ going to the store tomorrow. | are |
| 2. Either the cat or the dogs _______ responsible for the mess. | are |
| 3. Peanut butter and jelly _______ a delicious snack. | is |
| 4. The team _______ practicing hard for the game. | is |
| 5. Neither the students nor the teacher _______ happy with the results. | is |
| 6. My brother and I _______ excited about the trip. | are |
| 7. The book and the pen _______ on my desk. | are |
| 8. The family _______ planning a reunion. | is |
| 9. Rice and beans _______ a staple in many cuisines. | is |
| 10. The singer and the dancer _______ ready to perform. | are |
Advanced Topics in Subject-Verb Agreement
For advanced learners, it’s important to consider sentences with intervening phrases. These are phrases that come between the subject and the verb and can sometimes obscure the correct subject-verb agreement.
For example, “The quality of the apples and oranges is excellent.” The verb ‘is’ agrees with ‘quality,’ not ‘apples and oranges.’ Recognizing and ignoring these intervening phrases is crucial.
Another advanced topic involves understanding the nuances of collective nouns in different contexts. The choice between singular and plural verbs depends on whether the collective noun is acting as a single unit or as individual members.
This requires a careful analysis of the sentence’s meaning and intent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is a compound subject?
A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction, usually ‘and,’ ‘or,’ or ‘nor,’ that share the same verb in a sentence.
Q2: What is the basic rule for subjects joined by ‘and’?
Generally, subjects joined by ‘and’ take a plural verb. For example, “John and Mary are going to the store.”
Q3: What happens when subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’?
When subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor,’ the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. This is known as the proximity rule.
For example, “Either the students or the teacher is responsible.”
Q4: Are there exceptions to the ‘and’ rule?
Yes, if the subjects joined by ‘and’ refer to a single entity or idea, a singular verb is used. For example, “Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.”
Q5: How do collective nouns affect subject-verb agreement?
Collective nouns can take either a singular or plural verb, depending on whether they are acting as a single unit or as individual members. For example, “The team is playing well” (single unit) vs.
“The team are arguing” (individual members).
Q6: What is the proximity rule?
The proximity rule states that when subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor,’ the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Q7: How do ‘either/or’ and ‘neither/nor’ affect subject-verb agreement?
With ‘either/or’ and ‘neither/nor,’ the verb agrees with the subject closest to it, following the same proximity rule as ‘or’ and ‘nor.’
Q8: What is the most common mistake with compound subjects?
One of the most common mistakes is using a singular verb with subjects joined by ‘and’ when they are clearly separate entities.
Conclusion
Mastering subject-verb agreement with compound subjects is essential for clear and accurate communication in English. By understanding the basic rules, exceptions, and special cases, learners can significantly improve their grammar skills.
Remember to pay close attention to the conjunctions used, the proximity rule, and the nature of collective nouns. Practice these concepts regularly to reinforce your understanding and avoid common mistakes.
With diligent study and consistent effort, you can confidently navigate the complexities of subject-verb agreement with compound subjects.