Subject-verb agreement: Advanced

Writing is a little like math. Let us explain! In math, we know that two sides of an equation must be equal—in a sense, they have to agree. In writing, subjects and present-tense verbs must also agree: if the subject is singular, so is the verb; if the subject is plural, so is the verb. In the following sentences, see if you can choose the verb that agrees with its subject.

1. The frogs at the cottage very loudly.

croaks

croak

2. The horses wildly across the field.

gallops

gallop

3. The herd of horses wildly across the field.

gallops

gallop

4. There been many hurricanes this year.

has

have

5. The woman with all the cats here regularly.

shops

shop

6. The mascot, as well as the hockey players, at the school.

volunteer

volunteers

7. The hockey players and the mascot at the school.

volunteer

volunteers

8. The hockey players or the mascot at the school.

volunteer

volunteers