What it is…  Subject-verb agreement means:  If the subject is plural, then the verb needs to be plural  If the subject is singular, then the verb needs to be singular

Singular subjects take singular verbs  He / washes the dishes  A girl in my neighborhood / plays in the band.

Plural subjects take plural verbs  They / have been washing the dishes  Several girls in my neighborhood / were playing in the band.

 Compound subjects: 2 or more subjects having the same verb  My pen pal and best friend / are my cousin  Broccoli and melted cheese / make a tasty dish. Subjects joined by and take a plural verb

 Neither the coach nor the principal / is happy with the team’s performance.  Either the boys or their sisters / take the garbage out. Subjects joined by or or nor take singular verbs

When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb.  Neither the children or their mother / was ready for the trip.  Neither the mother or her children / were ready for the trip.

Cheat Sheet  1. A singular subject will need a verb that ends with “s”  2. A plural subject will need a verb that does NOT end with “s”

Practice  You (come, comes) with me.  The girl and her friends (talk, talks) frequently.  Neither the spices nor the pepper plant (grows, grow) well here.  Usually the beginning speech (last, lasts) ten minutes.  The leader with his followers (have, has) the power to influence many people.  Out of the jungle (step, steps) three lions.  The committee (are, is) disagreeing on the procedure.  Few of them (were, was) interested in our project.  Civics (is, are) taught in eighth grade.  Everyone (need, needs) some attention sometime.