subject Verb Agreement - Compound Subjects 2 online exercise for ... - Free Printable

Problem Overview:

The task involves selecting the correct verb form (singular or plural) to agree with the subject in each sentence. This is a classic exercise on subject-verb agreement, particularly focusing on compound subjects (subjects consisting of two or more nouns or pronouns).

Key Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement:

1. Singular Subjects: Use a singular verb.
2. Plural Subjects: Use a plural verb.
3. Compound Subjects:
- If the subjects are joined by "and", they are treated as plural and require a plural verb.
- If the subjects are joined by "or" or "nor", the verb agrees with the subject closer to it (the principle of proximity).
- Phrases like "either...or" and "neither...nor" follow the same rule as "or" and "nor."

Solution:

Let's solve each sentence step by step:

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#### 1. Your hands and feet (contains, contain) nearly half the bones in your entire body.
- Subject: "Your hands and feet" (plural compound subject)
- Verb: Plural form
- Correct Answer: contain

#### 2. Both of my pencils (has, have) an eraser.
- Subject: "Both of my pencils" (plural)
- Verb: Plural form
- Correct Answer: have

#### 3. Phobos and Deimos (is, are) the two moons of Mars.
- Subject: "Phobos and Deimos" (plural compound subject)
- Verb: Plural form
- Correct Answer: are

#### 4. Rain or sleet (is, are) predicted for tomorrow.
- Subject: "Rain or sleet" (singular concept, treated as singular)
- Verb: Singular form
- Correct Answer: is

#### 5. Trumpet or a flute (creates, create) excitement in music.
- Subject: "Trumpet or a flute" (singular concept, treated as singular)
- Verb: Singular form
- Correct Answer: creates

#### 6. The books and the magazine (was, were) placed on the table.
- Subject: "The books and the magazine" (plural compound subject)
- Verb: Plural form
- Correct Answer: were

#### 7. Either Chung or Betsy (sits, sit) at this desk.
- Subject: "Either Chung or Betsy" (singular due to "either...or")
- Verb: Singular form
- Correct Answer: sits

#### 8. Neither Don nor Chris (was, were) chosen as an actor.
- Subject: "Neither Don nor Chris" (singular due to "neither...nor")
- Verb: Singular form
- Correct Answer: was

#### 9. The grandfather clock and the cuckoo clock (chimes, chime) together.
- Subject: "The grandfather clock and the cuckoo clock" (plural compound subject)
- Verb: Plural form
- Correct Answer: chime

#### 10. Apples and oranges (is, are) needed for the fruit salad.
- Subject: "Apples and oranges" (plural compound subject)
- Verb: Plural form
- Correct Answer: are

#### 11. The apples or the grape (was, were) out of the recipe.
- Subject: "The apples or the grape" (singular due to "or," and the closest subject is "grape")
- Verb: Singular form
- Correct Answer: was

#### 12. Either a green mango or oranges (contains, contain) a whole lot of Vitamin C.
- Subject: "Either a green mango or oranges" (singular due to "either...or," and the closest subject is "mango")
- Verb: Singular form
- Correct Answer: contains

#### 13. The girl or the twins (cleans, clean) this room.
- Subject: "The girl or the twins" (plural due to "or," and the closest subject is "twins")
- Verb: Plural form
- Correct Answer: clean

#### 14. A man or a woman (owns, own) that store.
- Subject: "A man or a woman" (singular due to "or," and the closest subject is "woman")
- Verb: Singular form
- Correct Answer: owns

#### 15. A keyboard and a mouse (is, are) needed for class.
- Subject: "A keyboard and a mouse" (plural compound subject)
- Verb: Plural form
- Correct Answer: are

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Final Answers:

1. contain
2. have
3. are
4. is
5. creates
6. were
7. sits
8. was
9. chime
10. are
11. was
12. contains
13. clean
14. owns
15. are

Final Answer:
\boxed{contain, have, are, is, creates, were, sits, was, chime, are, was, contains, clean, owns, are}