Agreement with Or Nor Quiz

1. What is the main rule for subject-verb agreement when subjects are joined by or or nor?

The verb always agrees with the first subject.

The verb always agrees with the longest subject.

The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

The verb is always plural.

A subject with two nouns joined by and is usually plural, so it takes a plural verb.

Explanation

A subject with two nouns joined by and is usually plural, so it takes a plural verb.

2. Choose the correct sentence.

Either the cat or the dogs is hungry.

Either the cat or the dogs are hungry.

Either the cats or the dog are hungry.

Either the cats or the dog are hungrys.

The dog and the cat is a plural subject, so it needs the plural verb are playing.

Explanation

The dog and the cat is a plural subject, so it needs the plural verb are playing.

3. Choose the correct verb: Either the students or the teacher ___ in the classroom.

Are

Is

Were

Be

Teacher and principal make a plural subject, so the plural verb walk is correct.

Explanation

Teacher and principal make a plural subject, so the plural verb walk is correct.

4. Choose the correct sentence.

Neither the pencil nor the markers is on the desk.

Neither the pencil nor the markers are on the desk.

Neither the pencils nor the marker are on the desk.

Neither the pencils nor the marker is on the desk.

The boy and the girl is a compound subject with two nouns, so it needs a plural verb.

Explanation

The boy and the girl is a compound subject with two nouns, so it needs a plural verb.

5. Choose the correct verb: Neither the chairs nor the table ___ clean.

Are

Is

Were

Been

Sister and brother make a plural subject, so are is the correct plural verb.

Explanation

Sister and brother make a plural subject, so are is the correct plural verb.

6. When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject that is closer to it.

True

False

Two nouns joined by and count as more than one, so the subject is usually plural.

Explanation

Two nouns joined by and count as more than one, so the subject is usually plural.

7. The sentence Either the boy or the girls is happy is correct.

True

False

The cat and the dog are two animals together, so the subject is plural, not singular.

Explanation

The cat and the dog are two animals together, so the subject is plural, not singular.

8. The sentence Neither the cookies nor the cake is left is correct.

True

False

Pencil and eraser form a plural subject, so the plural verb are matches correctly.

Explanation

Pencil and eraser form a plural subject, so the plural verb are matches correctly.

9. When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb is always plural.

True

False

B and D use plural verbs eat and are to match the plural subjects joined by and.

Explanation

B and D use plural verbs eat and are to match the plural subjects joined by and.

10. Which sentences use correct subject-verb agreement with or or nor?

Either my brother or my sisters are coming.

Either my brothers or my sister is coming.

Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.

Neither the teachers nor the student are ready.

Either the cat or the dog are sleeping.

B and D use singular verbs with plural subjects, so the agreement is incorrect.

Explanation

B and D use singular verbs with plural subjects, so the agreement is incorrect.

Submit

11. Which sentences have incorrect subject-verb agreement with or or nor?

Either the bus or the cars are early.

Either the bus or the cars is early.

Neither the apples nor the banana are ripe.

Neither the apples nor the banana is ripe.

Either the boys or the girl is here.

Boy and girl form a plural subject, so the plural verb are is needed.

Explanation

Boy and girl form a plural subject, so the plural verb are is needed.

Submit

12. Complete the sentence: Either the pencils or the pen ___ on the desk.

Backpack and lunchbox make a plural subject, so we use the verb are.

Explanation

Backpack and lunchbox make a plural subject, so we use the verb are.

Submit

13. Complete the sentence: Either the teacher or the students ___ the game.

Plates and cups are more than one thing together, so the verb are is correct.

Explanation

Plates and cups are more than one thing together, so the verb are is correct.

Submit

14. Complete the sentence: Neither the dogs nor the cat ___ outside.

Mom and Dad form a plural subject, so we use the plural verb cook.

Explanation

Mom and Dad form a plural subject, so we use the plural verb cook.

Submit

15. Complete the sentence: Neither the sandwich nor the chips ___ in the lunchbox.

He and I are two people, so the plural verb are matches the compound subject.

Explanation

He and I are two people, so the plural verb are matches the compound subject.

Submit

16. Choose the correct sentence.

Either the principal or the teachers is speaking at the assembly.

Either the principal or the teachers are speaking at the assembly.

Either the principal or the teachers was speaking at the assembly.

Either the principal or the teachers be speaking at the assembly.

Teacher and students make a plural subject, so we use the plural verb explain.

Explanation

Teacher and students make a plural subject, so we use the plural verb explain.

17. Choose the correct verb: Neither my mom nor my cousins ___ late.

Is

Are

Was

Be

Lily and Max are two people, so the plural verb ride agrees with the plural subject.

Explanation

Lily and Max are two people, so the plural verb ride agrees with the plural subject.

18. Choose the correct sentence.

Either the shoes or the dress are on sale.

Either the shoes or the dress is on sale.

Either the shoes or the dress were on sale.

Either the shoes or the dress be on sale.

Book and pencil together are plural, so the verb should be are, not is.

Explanation

Book and pencil together are plural, so the verb should be are, not is.

19. In which sentences is the verb correctly matched to the nearest subject?

Either the cookies or the pie is ready.

Either the cookie or the pies is ready.

Neither the cat nor the dogs are noisy.

Neither the cats nor the dog are noisy.

Either the markers or the pen are missing.

A, C, and E each have two nouns joined by and, so they are plural subjects.

Explanation

A, C, and E each have two nouns joined by and, so they are plural subjects.

Submit

20. Which summary of subject-verb agreement with or and nor is correct?

Always make the verb singular.

Always make the verb plural.

Make the verb agree with the subject closest to it.

Ignore the subjects and choose any verb form.

When two nouns are joined by and, they usually make a plural subject that needs a plural verb.

Explanation

When two nouns are joined by and, they usually make a plural subject that needs a plural verb.

Proximity Rule: Subject-Verb Agreement with Or and Nor Quiz