IXL | Use the correct verb – with compound subjects

Complete the sentence with the best verb.

Your cabbage salad and homemade bread

tastes

even better than I remember.

tastes

taste

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Complete the sentence with the best verb.

Whenever the four of us play darts,

Mia or Sebastian

always

wins

win

key idea

A compound subject is made up of two subjects joined by the conjunction and, or, or nor.

Mark and Amanda	This week or next
Either Wendy or I	Neither Josh nor my friends

When a compound subject is joined by and, use a plural verb. Plural verbs usually do not end in -s, -es, or -ies.

Where do Mark and Amanda go to school?

When a compound subject is joined by or or nor, use a verb that agrees with the subject that is closest to the verb.

If the subject closest to the verb is a singular subject other than I or you, use a singular verb. Singular verbs end in -s, -es, or -ies.

This week or next seems likely to be hectic.

If the subject closest to the verb is I, you, or a plural subject, use a plural verb. Again, plural verbs usually do not end in -s, -es, or -ies.

Either Wendy or I open the shop every morning.

After reading the reviews, neither Josh nor my friends expect the movie to be successful.

solution

Look at the subject, Mia or Sebastian. It is a compound subject joined by the conjunction or.

The subject closest to the verb is Sebastian. It is a singular subject, so it goes with a singular verb. Singular verbs end in -s, -es, or -ies.

Mia or Sebastian wins

Therefore, the best verb to complete the sentence is wins.

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Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

NN.2Use the correct subject or verb – with compound subjects

KK.1Use the correct subject or verb

FF.4Identify the compound subject or compound predicate of a sentence

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