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

  • 3rd Grade
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Quizzes Created: 8157 | Total Attempts: 9,566,648
| Questions: 20 | Updated: Jan 6, 2026
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1. What is the main rule for subject-verb agreement when subjects are joined by or or nor?

Explanation

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

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About This Quiz
Proximity Rule: Subject-Verb Agreement With Or And Nor Quiz - Quiz

Compound subjects joined by or or nor follow a different agreement pattern. In this agreement with or nor quiz, you’ll focus on the proximity rule, where the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. You’ll analyze sentence structure, identify the controlling subject, and apply correct verb forms. Each question... see morehelps eliminate confusion and builds confidence in handling these tricky constructions.
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2. Choose the correct sentence.

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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4. Choose the correct sentence.

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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16. Choose the correct sentence.

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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18. Choose the correct sentence.

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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What is the main rule for subject-verb agreement when subjects are...
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose the correct verb: Either the students or the teacher ___ in the...
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose the correct verb: Neither the chairs nor the table ___ clean.
When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the...
The sentence Either the boy or the girls is happy is correct.
The sentence Neither the cookies nor the cake is left is correct.
When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb is always plural.
Which sentences use correct subject-verb agreement with or or nor?
Which sentences have incorrect subject-verb agreement with or or nor?
Complete the sentence: Either the pencils or the pen ___ on the desk.
Complete the sentence: Either the teacher or the students ___ the...
Complete the sentence: Neither the dogs nor the cat ___ outside.
Complete the sentence: Neither the sandwich nor the chips ___ in the...
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose the correct verb: Neither my mom nor my cousins ___ late.
Choose the correct sentence.
In which sentences is the verb correctly matched to the nearest...
Which summary of subject-verb agreement with or and nor is correct?
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