Subject-Verb Agreement 1
Plants and flowers (is, are) featured on the cover of this book.
are
How (do, does) those new shoes feel?
do
Children relished their snacks happily. Identify the verb used in the sentence.
relished
Neither his father nor his mother (was, were) alive.
was
When subjects are joined by neither…nor (or either…or),
the verb agrees with the closest subject.
Examples:
✔ Neither the teachers nor the principal is attending.
(Closest subject = principal → singular)
✔ Neither the principal nor the teachers are attending.
(Closest subject = teachers → plural)
Why not “were”?
Even though two people are mentioned, the structure is not treating them as a plural group. It’s presenting two separate possibilities — and the verb must match the one nearest to it.
The visitors left after they __________ (to finish) their coffee.
finished
As the comedian leaves the stage, people (applaud, applauds) wildly.
applaud
All these things (was, were) needed.
were
I _________(to play) netball last weekend, but only I _______(to know) where the match_________(to be) day before.
played, knew, was going to be
There were hundreds of gulls circling in the sky. Identify the verbs in the sentence
were, circling
It (seem, seems) like a long distance if you’re walking.
seems
I (wakes up,wake up) early on Sundays.
wake up
Someone stole my purse. Identify whether the verb is present, past, or future tense.
stole-past
Most of the members of the committee generally (decide, decides) on its course of action pretty quickly.
decide
What is one word that can complete the sentence below?
You should remember to look both ways before you _________________ the road.
cross
Having reached the state semifinals, the team (are, is) celebrating its achievements.
is
Team is a collective noun. It is ONE team, so it needs a singular verb.
The flock (lift, lifts) into the air a few birds at a time.
lifts
Flock is a collective noun. It is ONE flock, so it needs a singular verb.
James or Nora [is, are] bringing cupcakes to the birthday party.
is
Remember! With [OR] only look at the subject closest to the verb.
Which sentence uses the word "book" as a verb?
a.We decided to book tickets for the football match.
b.Arin wrote a book review for the school magazine.
c.The scientist’s ideas are explained in his latest book.
d.Book club meets every Wednesday in the library.
a.We decided to book tickets for the football match.
Jo usually_____ (to wake) up early on Saturday morning and________ (to go) swimming before breakfast. Use the appropriate form of the verb in the sentence given.
wakes, goes