Subject-Verb Agreement Practice

1. The band (play, plays) loudly at the pep rally. Bell Ringer 8/31: Read each sentence. Write the correct verb in parentheses. 1. The band (play, plays) loudly at the pep rally. 2. Neither the coughing muffler nor the squeaky brakes (annoy, annoys) Ruth as much as the broken radio in her old car. Some people usually (get, gets) severe indigestion after eating spicy foods. 4. Each of the athletes (runs, run) effortlessly. 5. Any one of Mrs. Edwards’ students (know, knows) the rules that govern subject-verb agreement.

Bell Ringer 8/28 Write the correct verb in parentheses. The actress, accompanied by her boyfriend, (attends, attend) the benefit. The cook, as well as the waiter, (works, work) hard at the restaurant. The band members, along with their director, (runs, run) onto the field. The leader of the cabinet members (works, work) very hard. College graduates in the field of medicine (gets, get) jobs easily.

Bell Ringer 8/18: Write each sentence Bell Ringer 8/18: Write each sentence. Underline the subject and circle the correct verb in parentheses. The rules in the textbook (is, are) guidelines for using standard English. The sign near the glass doors (explain, explains) the theme of the exhibit. Robert, along with Kimberly and Amanda, (has, have) been nominated for class president. A girl in my neighborhood (play, plays) in the school band.

Bell Ringer 8/19—Read each sentence Bell Ringer 8/19—Read each sentence. Write the correct verb in parentheses. The list of names (is, are) very important. The puppies in the basket (has, have) brown fur. The fan in the crowd (was, were) dancing for the camera. The green areas on the map (indicate, indicates) parks. The eagle’s bright wings (was, were) a beautiful sight.

Bell Ringer 8/21: Read each sentence. Write the correct verb. 1. All of the coats (is, are) on sale. 2. Everything in the produce department (is, are) on sale. 3. The television show, as well as the movie, (begin, begins) at 8 o’clock. 4. Neither my brother nor my friends (has, have) been invited to the party. 5. Some of the people in the crowd (was cheering, were cheering) loudly.

Bell Ringer 8/24: Read each sentence Bell Ringer 8/24: Read each sentence. Write the correct verb in parentheses. From the crowd (come, comes) an ear splitting cheer. The lights twinkling on the water (seem, seems) like stars in the sky. Spaghetti and meatballs (make, makes) a great meal. Every door and window (has, have) been locked. Neither the dogs nor the horse (has, have) been fed. Several of the apples (has, have) bruises.

5. Mashed potatoes and gravy (is, are) my favorite side dish. 6 5. Mashed potatoes and gravy (is, are) my favorite side dish. 6. Neither the cheerleaders nor the mascot (was, were) able to get on the field. 7. Jesse, together with his siblings, (is, are) buying a present for his Mom and Dad’s anniversary. 8. (Are, Is) you coming with us too?

Subjects joined by and A bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit (make, makes) a tasty breakfast. Chocolate chip and wild berry (is, are) my favorite muffin flavors. Both Mom and Dad (is taking, are taking) their stadium seats into the game. A ham and cheese omelet (is, are) my favorite breakfast. The girls and the boys (is, are) voting for homecoming court tomorrow.

Subjects joined by or or nor Neither the fans nor the mic man (is making, are making) a sound during the critical play. Neither Matt nor his clients (was, were) prepared for the day’s workout. Aunt Nikki or my grandmother (calls, call) me every day. Neither the movies nor the CD (is, are) selling.

Beware of prepositional phrases and intervening expressions The president of the members (make, makes) a speech before every meeting. The brochures on the table (contain, contains) important information. Rachel, together with her cousins, (is, are) going on the trip during the holidays. People in the business world (look, looks) carefully at letters of application.

Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns--Singular Each of the athletes (run, runs) effortlessly. Neither one of the women (is, are) ready to start. Somebody on the bus (was, were) whistling. No one in the office (leave, leaves) early.

Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns--Plural Many players on the team (practices, practice) daily. Few of the athletes (has, have) qualified. Several of the runners (is, are) exercising.

Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns, cont. Some of the show (is, are) funny. Some of the entertainers (is, are) funny. None of the music (is, are) catchy. None of the songs (is, are) catchy.

Bell Ringer 9/2: Write the sentence and circle the correct verb. A ham and cheese omelet (is, are) my favorite breakfast. Neither the movies nor the CD (is, are) selling. Both seniors and juniors (votes, vote) today. My Aunt Kim or my grandmother (calls, call) me every day. The pieces of bacon and sausage (is, are) too salty to eat.

Practice # 3, cont. Every one of the students (needs, need) to study. All of the students (needs, need) to study. Each one of my pets (has, have) won a ribbon. Both of my pets (has, have) won a ribbon. One of the members on my team (was, were) knocking on my door. Few of my friends (has, have) been to Europe.

Practice # 3, cont. Neither one of the twins (is, are) home. Both of the twins (is, are) home. Many of my relatives (is, are) coming to the reunion. The job (takes, take) up a lot of her spare time. Final exams (is, are) the last hurdle before graduation. The dog, as well as the cat (needs, need) a good bath.

Practice # 3, cont. Soup and salad (makes, make) a tasty lunch. All of the students in the school (is wearing, are wearing) orange today. A box of warm coats (was, were) delivered this morning. Nikki, along with her parents, (invites, invite) you to her graduation party. Some of the houses in the neighborhood (needs, need) paint.

The committee (believe, believes) that waiting until everyone arrives is more important than starting on time. Each family member always (bring, brings) a dessert for the Thanksgiving meal. Neither the lights nor the water (work, works) in the new house. Statistics (require, requires) so much homework that poor Kim is always up all night. Patience and compassion, in addition to a car, (make, makes)everyone want Jordan as a friend.

Bell Ringer 9/9: Write each sentence Bell Ringer 9/9: Write each sentence. Choose the correct verb for each sentence. 1. Our dog Babe, together with her seven puppies, (has, have) chewed all the stuffing out of the sofa cushions. 2. This weekend, a Great White shark, as well as a school of barracuda, (is, are) terrorizing the tourists at Daytona Beach. 3. Where is the bowl of soup and the platter of brownies that Madison (has, have) made for Elizabeth’s housewarming party? 4. Here (is, are) the fifty-dollar bill that I promised for pet sitting Bo-Bo, my Jack Russell terrier, this weekend. 5. Neither one of my two older brothers (invest, invests) money wisely.

6. Every piece of popcorn and dropped chocolate on the theater floor (has, have) stuck in the treads of Larry’s new running shoes. 7. All that Susan wants this semester (is, are) a wink from the cute guy who sits next to her in algebra class. 8. All that the cute guy wants this semester (is, are) the correct answers from Susan's algebra quiz. 9. Now that the cute guy has found a way to cheat, mathematics no longer (cause, causes) him problems in school. 10. Mike (is, are) one of those students who never brings a pen with him to writing class.