Compound Subjects Challenge Quiz

1. What is a compound subject?

A subject with only one noun.

A subject with two or more nouns joined by words like and, or, or nor.

A subject that always needs a singular verb.

A subject that comes after the verb.

A compound subject has two or more nouns joined by and, or, or nor and they share the same verb.

Explanation

A compound subject has two or more nouns joined by and, or, or nor and they share the same verb.

2. Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

The dog and the cat runs fast.

The dog and the cat run fast.

The dog and the cat running fast.

The dog and the cat is running fast.

Dog and cat form a plural subject, so the verb must be the plural form run.

Explanation

Dog and cat form a plural subject, so the verb must be the plural form run.

3. Choose the correct sentence.

Either the teacher or the students is on the bus.

Either the teacher or the students are on the bus.

Either the teacher or the students was on the bus.

Either the teacher or the students be on the bus.

Students is plural and closest to the verb, so the verb must be are.

Explanation

Students is plural and closest to the verb, so the verb must be are.

4. Choose the correct verb: Neither the pencils nor the pen ___ on the table.

Are

Is

Were

Be

Pen is singular and nearest the verb, so the verb should be singular is.

Explanation

Pen is singular and nearest the verb, so the verb should be singular is.

5. When two nouns are joined by and, the subject is usually plural and takes a plural verb.

True

False

A compound subject with and usually acts like a plural subject, so it needs a plural verb.

Explanation

A compound subject with and usually acts like a plural subject, so it needs a plural verb.

6. With or and nor, the verb always agrees with the first subject only.

True

False

With or and nor, the verb agrees with the subject that comes closest to the verb, not always the first one.

Explanation

With or and nor, the verb agrees with the subject that comes closest to the verb, not always the first one.

7. Fix the agreement mistake: The pencils and the marker is on my desk.

Change is to are.

Change pencils to pencil.

Change marker to markers.

Remove and the marker.

Pencils and marker make a plural subject, so the verb should be are, not is.

Explanation

Pencils and marker make a plural subject, so the verb should be are, not is.

8. Fix the agreement mistake: Either my mom or my sisters is driving us.

Change mom to moms.

Change sisters to sister.

Change is to are.

Remove either.

Sisters is plural and nearest the verb, so the verb must be are.

Explanation

Sisters is plural and nearest the verb, so the verb must be are.

9. Which sentences have correct subject-verb agreement with compound subjects?

The boy and the girl are laughing.

The boy and the girl is laughing.

Either the coat or the shoes are in the closet.

Either the coat or the shoes is in the closet.

Neither the cookies nor the cake is left.

A, C, and E match the verb to a plural subject with and or to the subject closest to the verb with or and nor.

Explanation

A, C, and E match the verb to a plural subject with and or to the subject closest to the verb with or and nor.

Submit

10. Which sentences show incorrect subject-verb agreement with compound subjects?

My sister and my brother walks to school.

My sister and my brother walk to school.

Neither the dog nor the cats is here.

Neither the dog nor the cats are here.

Either the plates or the cup are dirty.

A and C use a singular verb where a plural verb is needed with a plural subject or nearest plural noun.

Explanation

A and C use a singular verb where a plural verb is needed with a plural subject or nearest plural noun.

Submit

12. Complete the sentence: My notebook and my folder ___ in my backpack.

Notebook and folder together are plural, so the verb should be are.

Explanation

Notebook and folder together are plural, so the verb should be are.

Submit

13. Complete the sentence: Either the apples or the banana ___ on the counter.

Banana is singular and nearest the verb, so the singular verb is is correct.

Explanation

Banana is singular and nearest the verb, so the singular verb is is correct.

Submit

14. Complete the sentence: Either the coach or the players ___ early.

Players is plural and closest to the verb, so the verb must be are.

Explanation

Players is plural and closest to the verb, so the verb must be are.

Submit

15. This sentence is correct: Neither the books nor the shelf are dusty.

True

False

Shelf is singular and closest to the verb, so the verb should be is instead of are.

Explanation

Shelf is singular and closest to the verb, so the verb should be is instead of are.

16. Choose the correct sentence.

My cousin and my aunt is visiting today.

My cousin and my aunt are visiting today.

My cousin and my aunt were visiting today every day.

My cousin and my aunt visiting today.

Cousin and aunt form a plural subject, so the verb are visiting is correct.

Explanation

Cousin and aunt form a plural subject, so the verb are visiting is correct.

17. Choose the correct verb: Neither the coach nor the players ___ ready for the game.

Is

Are

Was

Be

Players is plural and nearest the verb, so the plural verb are should be used.

Explanation

Players is plural and nearest the verb, so the plural verb are should be used.

18. Choose the correct sentence.

Either the sandwich or the fries are on the tray.

Either the sandwich or the fries is on the tray.

Either the sandwich or the fries was on the tray.

Either the sandwich or the fries be on the tray.

Fries is plural and closest to the verb, so the plural verb are is correct.

Explanation

Fries is plural and closest to the verb, so the plural verb are is correct.

19. In which sentences does the verb correctly match the nearest subject with or or nor?

Either the markers or the pen is dry.

Either the markers or the pen are dry.

Neither the car nor the buses are full.

Neither the car nor the buses is full.

Either the teacher or the students are busy.

In A, C, and E the verb agrees with the subject closest to it, which follows the rule for or and nor.

Explanation

In A, C, and E the verb agrees with the subject closest to it, which follows the rule for or and nor.

Submit

20. Which statement is the best summary of subject-verb agreement with compound subjects?

With and, the subject is always singular; with or and nor, the verb is always plural.

With and, or, and nor, the verb is always singular.

You never change the verb for compound subjects.

Compound subjects with and act like plural subjects, and with or and nor the verb follows the subject closest to it.

Explanation

Compound subjects with and act like plural subjects, and with or and nor the verb follows the subject closest to it.

All-in-One Practice: Compound Subjects Challenge Quiz