Use the correct subject or verb – with compound subjects
Key Notes :
A compound subject is made up of two subjects joined by the conjunction and or or.
Mark and Amanda This week or next week
When a compound subject is joined by and, it is treated as plural, so use a plural verb. Plural verbs usually do not end in -s, -es, or -ies.
Jen and Andy go to the beach in the summer.
When a compound subject is joined by or, it can be treated as singular or plural. Use a verb that agrees with the subject closest to the verb.
If the subject closest to the verb is singular, use a singular verb. Singular verbs end in -s, -es, or -ies.
My parents or Emily brings me soup when I’m sick.
If the subject closest to the verb is plural, use a plural verb. Plural verbs usually do not end in -s, -es, or -ies.Emily or my parents bring me soup when I’m sick.
Learn with an example
👉 Complete the sentence with the best verb.
A car or a bus ______ travellers to the airport three times a day.
- carries
- carry
- Look at the subject, a car or a bus. It is a compound subject joined by the conjunction or.
- The subject closest to the verb is a bus. It is a plural subject, so it goes with a plural verb. Plural verbs usually do not end in -s, -es, or -ies.
- a car or a bus carries
- Therefore, the best verb to complete the sentence is carries.
👉 Complete the sentence with the best subject.
______carries travellers to the airport three times a day.
- The hotel’s buses
- A car or a bus
- Look at the verb, carries. It is a singular verb.
- Now look at the answer choices.
- The hotel’s buses is a plural subject, so it should be used with a plural verb.
- the hotel’s buses carry
- A car or a bus is a compound subject joined by the conjunction or.
- The subject closest to the verb is a bus. It is a plural subject, so it should be used with a plural verb.
- a car or a bus carries
- Therefore, the best subject to complete the sentence is a car or a bus.
👉 Complete the sentence with the best verb.
A bright red bird _____ on the fence.
- rests
- rest
- Look at the subject, a bright red bird. It is singular, so use a singular verb. Singular verbs end in -s, -es, or -ies.
- a bright red bird rests
- Therefore, the best verb to complete the sentence is rests.
Let’s practice!🖊️