When we write, we use several different kinds of subjects: singular, understood “you,” plural, and compound. Compound subjects consist of two or more parts (nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases) and can be joined by the conjunctions and, nor, and or.  The subject/verb agreement rules regarding compound subjects can be confusing because, although these particular subjects may have multiple parts, not all compound subjects require a plural verb.

When using the conjunction and to combine the parts of a compound subject, a plural verb is nearly always used because the conjunction and most often adds the items together, making the entire subject plural.

EX: The tiger and the lion were the main attraction at the zoo.

When using the conjunctions or or nor to combine the parts of a compound subject, we should make the verb agree with the part closest to the verb because the conjunctions or and nor seem to indicate a choice and not addition. In other words, the verb could be singular or plural depending on the part closest to the conjunction.

EX: My truck or his car seems to be the best choice for the long trip.

Note: To avoid awkwardness when writing a sentence using a compound subject consisting of a plural part and a singular part, place the plural part closer to the verb if it doesn't change the meaning.

EX: Neither the manager nor the employees were aware that the sale would attract a crowd this large.

Along with our own website, this week we recommend visiting The Emory Writing Center Website. In addition to useful tips regarding other subject/verb agreement issues, this website also offers visitors to practice their subject/verb agreement skills with several exercises.

Test your understanding of compound subject/verb agreement in the following sentences:

1. My best friend’s truck and his boat (remains/remain) his most prized possessions.

2. A check or cash (is/are) accepted at the restaurant.

3. Thankfully, neither the house nor the tree (was/were) affected by the wildfire.

4. For extra money, Mike and Phillip (mends/mend) fences on the ranch during the weekends.

Answers

1. My best friend’s truck and his boat remain his most prized possessions.

2. A check or cash is accepted at the restaurant.

3. Thankfully, neither the house nor the tree was affected by the wildfire.

4. For extra money, Mike and Phillip mend fences on the ranch during the weekends.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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