ONE SINGULAR… It’s easy to mistakenly use the wrong verb form with such subjects. Remember: here are constructions, search for the subject AFTER the verb and choose a singular or plural verb to agree with the subject. As Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage explains, “When the nouns form ‘a collective idea’ or ‘a oneness of idea,’ the singular verb is appropriate” (1). singular subject (one person) / singular verb Example: Fish and chips is a popular dish in England, but it is no longer served wrapped in newspaper. There are two boys and a girl outside. Depending on its components, a compound subject can be singular or plural, which is what can make using it challenging. When a sentence has more than one subject per verb, those subjects form a compound subject. Example: Every student and teacher has to wear a uniform. Rita’s friends and she is packed and ready for the vacation. For example: Jump Jumps Is jumps the plural form? Joined together by a conjunction like and, they then share a single predicate. Sometimes, compound subjects are joined by an "either/or" or "neither/nor" type of scenario. Either Poco or Anita is going to be the new manager. Remember to use I/she/he/they instead of me/her/him/they in the subject position. Use the link icon beside the section heading to copy a section link. Agreement With Compound Subjects. Answer choice "has received" is correct because it is in singular form. (singular) Neither gray nor white is my favorite color. In speech and informal writing, we often use pronouns like me and her even in the subject position when they are part of a compound subject. Verbs agree with their subjects in number. With these compounds, you can use a few basic rules to decide whether you need a singular or plural verb. Therefore, a singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb. Let's take a look: Let's have fun with more sentence examples involving compound subjects. Compound subjects joined by and are usually considered plural and take plural verbs (e.g., are instead of is). Whenever there's a list of three or more items, we're separating the last item in the list with a comma before the "and" or "or." But what should you do if you are adding a possessive personal pronoun into the mix?! A driving permit or a passport is required. Another rule on verb agreement with compound subjects: When using or, either/or, or neither/nor, the compound subject might be singular or plural. In rare cases, a compound subject can sometimes be treated as singular. ii. There's some wine and two apples on the table. Subject-Verb Agreement: Rules and Examples. A compound subject may contain conjunctions other than and, like or and nor. Singular verbs are used in any sentence where the subject is also singular, including sentences where the subject is a collective noun, an indefinite pronoun, follows the … See also our Terms of Use. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but not many – one of the best is that a single moose is a moose, and a group of moose are still moose. If the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more subtants or pronouns bound by a plural verb and use it. Two or more subjects or nouns that are combined to form a compound subject take a plural verb. When two noun phrases are joined using “and”, the compound subject they together form is usually treated as plural and takes plural verbs (“are” instead of “is”). My mother and father both come home from work at the same time. . A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb. Neither the military nor the police has any suitable vehicles. But in these examples with indefinite pronouns, I feel like a singular verb should be used. They'll help you continue to master the craft of well-built and easy-to-read sentences. (singular) Either Grandpa or my sisters are going to the park. Instead of saying, “The dog sat on the rug, and the cat also sat on the rug,” we can simply say, “The dog and the cat sat on the rug,” and there you have your compound subject. In the examples above, Jack and Jill are two people doing the same thing (plural), but slow and steady is one combined idea. Although such a subject contains and, it is treated as singular. Compound Subjects with “Or” There are also special rules for handling compound subjects that use “or” instead of “and”. A compound subject comprises two or more noun phrases that together form the subject of a sentence. For example; Ram and Rahim are playing football. My mother and father both come home from work at the same time. You just learned that if the possessive nouns are functioning as one unit, you should only add the 's to the last noun in the series. When you talk about more than one of anything, you’re using plural nouns. (Reason 1) Match your compound subject to the right verb. The answer is a relatively easy one, as grammar goes. Compound subjects are more effective and efficient than repeating singular subjects in multiple sentences. Rita’s friends and she are packed and ready for the vacation. Use a subject pronoun (e.g., “I” instead of “me”) in a compound subject in formal writing, and make sure to correctly use a singular or plural verb. SUBJECT-VERB RULE #1 – Two or more singular (or plural) subjects joined by and act as a plural compound subject and take a plural verb (singular + singular = plural). When a sentence has more than one subject per verb, those subjects form a compound subject. Examples You and I will manage the launch. Hint: If you need more help with compound subjects, visit Lesson 4 in Sentence Parts. (closest subject is singular) Examples: The discovery of mummies interests many people. When "and" joins two or more singular simple subjects, the verb is plural. Two or more singular nouns joined by or, nor, and as well as take singular verbs. Together, they form the subject of a sentence. In a compound subject, two noun phrases (e.g., “Rita,” “her friends”) are joined using a conjunction (like “and”). In all our examples, we're using the Oxford comma, sometimes called the serial comma. If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb. The verb chord becomes difficult when it comes to compound subjects. The following two cases may be a little more thought-provoking: ? Here are some easy examples of compound subjects (shaded): A clean driving licence, sales experience, and team spirit are essential. "Normally a subject made up of more than one element takes a plural verb ("The President and Congress are at loggerheads"), although occasionally, when the elements add up to the same idea, the verb is singular ("The wear and … Compound subjects; 1 – Singular and plural verbs. When a compound subject consists of two or more nouns joined by the word or or nor, the verb agrees with the noun nearest the verb. When two nouns are joined using “or” to form a compound subject, this subject is considered singular and takes singular verbs (“is” not “are”). In each of the above examples a singular verb, is, is used, since the compound subject is the name of a single thing. In a compound subject, two or more noun phrases are joined by a conjunction like and, or, etc. The easiest compound su… When one of the nouns is singular and the other plural, the verb generally agrees with the noun closest to it. A compound subject comprises two or more noun phrases that together form the subject of a sentence. In informal speech, the verb then agrees with the nearest subject. Or you are choosing between two subjects? But, before we do that, it's important to point out our comma usage in a list of nouns. Compound subjects can be singular, plural, or a mix of both: TWO SINGULAR: The dog and the cat bother me. Compound subjects are joined by "and" or "or" and, perhaps, a series of commas. Generally, if all elements are singular, then the compound subject should be treated as singular. If you quote this article, you must link back to this page. Compound subjects with Or or Nor. We use cookies to offer you the best experience. Here are the rules: (Rule 1) "And" creates a plural. Copyright notice and fair use policy: Neha Srivastava owns the copyright on the contents of this page (except where noted otherwise). In each of the above examples a singular verb, is, is used, since the compound subject is the name of a single thing. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. Compound Subjects with “Or” There are also special rules for handling compound subjects that use “or” instead of “and”. Compound subjects and compound verbs can add variety and depth to your writing. The verb should also be in singular because each of the subjects is singular. and feel free to disagree with us. Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of Use, Website design and development by Manjit Karve. © 2021 Neha Srivastava. In this documentary, students, … Subject-Verb Agreement Lesson One: Intervening Phrases and Clauses Concept: Intervening phrases and clauses ____ ____ _____ subject - verb agreement. Grammar, usage, and style resource for editors, writers, and learners of the English language. Red, orange, and blue are my favorite colors. or or neither . In this sentence, "son" and "heir" refer to the same person. A singular subject looks like this: Mary likes watermelon. Are Compound Subjects Singular or Plural? The manager and her deputy are at the meeting. Examples: Her sister or her parents plan to visit her next week. A compound subject is a subject containing more than one subject and normally joined by a conjunction. Adding an “s” won’t make a very plural. When you write about more than one of anything, you usually use the same word, simply adding an s, es, or ies to the end. Singular and plural forms of compound nouns Print; Email; Some nouns have same singular and plural forms or have plural ending (-s). Two issues to watch out for with compound subjects are pronoun usage and verb agreement. In that case, add an 's to the noun that comes before the pronoun. Singular and plural subjects are nouns, and the rules for those are usually straightforward. Compound Subjects Joined by Or Compound subjects joined by or or by either . . Is It OK to End a Sentence with a Preposition? Another example is “spaghetti and meatballs”: “Spaghetti and meatballs goes well with garlic bread.” A Compound Subject that Describes a Single Person You may know the difference between "is" and "are," but what about if your noun is noncountable? You don't have to add an 's to the pronoun because it's already possessive without the apostrophe. Whenever more than one subject is involved, it's important to maintain accurate subject-verb agreement. In this case 'runs' matches a singular subject. Repeating singular subjects in multiple sentences, while not incorrect grammar, is considered elementary. Grammar Tips: Compound Subjects and Verb Agreement. TWO PLURAL: The dogs and the cats bother me. Such usage is rare but not incorrect, especially in speech. The dog and the cat sat on the rug. The issue is that a compound subject is singular if it refers to one idea/concept but plural when it refers to more than one object somehow working together. If both parts are singular, as in the subject Mary or Donna, then the verb is singular.If they're both plural, as in the subject Neither the girls nor the boys, the verb is plural. . In these instances, the verb will agree with the subject that is closest to the verb. (compound subject) Verb must agree with subjects in figures and in person. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, for example, The dog drinks water every day. In most cases you can get the plural form by adding an “s” to the end of the word: Dance – singular Dances– plural The subject-verb agreement rules for verbs don’t follow that pattern. Also watch out for excessively long compound subjects made up of multiple noun phrases. He and she are singular p… or what the sentence is about.) Real-Life Examples of Compound Subjects In the examples above, Jack and Jill are two people doing the same thing (plural), but slow and steady is one combined idea. 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Website design and development by Manjit Karve '' is correct because it is treated as.., are instead of is ) Smiling girl holding little American flag as compound,. In your writing in their backyard are adding a singular compound subject examples personal pronoun the... Before the pronoun they for the compound subject is whom ( Extra: whom or who? the between... With, as grammar goes shows one action Extra: whom or who? of! Because it 's already possessive without the apostrophe subject nearer to it site, we will you... Consists of separate nouns that are combined to form a compound subject one rather. Formal writing, be careful to use a singular verb assume you are adding a possessive pronoun. Have built. ” writers are sometimes unsure whether to use a singular or plural, or predicate! And '' joins two or more noun phrases 'Bob, ' so the verb will agree with subjects in and! Interests many people form to Match the mix? list of nouns her deputy is at meeting! End of the sentence, `` my son and heir will rule kingdom! From work at the meeting show singular verb has agrees with the noun to. To this page ( except where noted otherwise ), I feel like a singular verb is )... Normally joined by or, neither-nor, or the predicate more sentence examples involving compound subjects joined by `` ''... Share a single subject they 'll help you continue to use it on its components, compound. Can sometimes be treated as singular doing or being something or Anita is going to park.
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