English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Use the correct verb – with compound subjects
Use the correct verb – with compound subjects
What you'll learn
- Identify the correct verb form (singular or plural) to use with compound subjects joined by "and" in 8 out of 10 sentences.
- Explain the rule for using singular or plural verbs with compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor" using specific examples in a written paragraph.
- Apply the rules of subject-verb agreement with compound subjects to correctly complete 5 out of 6 sentences in a quiz.
- Correctly rewrite 3 sentences containing errors in subject-verb agreement with compound subjects, explaining the reason for each correction.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify compound subjects in a sentence.
Distinguish between singular and plural verb forms.
Apply the correct subject-verb agreement rule for compound subjects joined by 'and'.
Apply the correct subject-verb agreement rule for compound subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor'.
Correctly choose the appropriate verb form for sentences containing compound subjects.
Explain the reasoning behind their verb choice for compound subjects.
Revise sentences to ensure proper subject-verb agreement with compound subjects.
Ever wonder why sometimes we say 'The cat runs' but other times 'The cat and dog run'? 🤔 It's all about making your subjects and verbs agree!
In this lesson, you'll learn how to make verbs ma...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SubjectThe noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described in a sentence.The *student* reads a book.
VerbA word that describes an action, state, or occurrence. It tells what the subject is doing or being.The student *reads* a book.
Compound SubjectTwo or more subjects joined by a conjunction (like 'and', 'or', 'nor') that share the same verb.*The student and the teacher* read a book.
ConjunctionA word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause (e.g., and, but, or, nor).The dog *and* the cat played.
Subject-Verb AgreementThe rule that states a subject and its verb must match in number (singular or plural). A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.The *g...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Rule 1: Compound Subjects Joined by 'And'
When two or more subjects are joined by 'and', they usually form a plural subject and require a plural verb.
This rule applies in most cases where 'and' connects distinct subjects. Think of it as adding them together to make a group.
Rule 2: Compound Subjects Joined by 'Or' or 'Nor'
When two or more subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to it.
This rule is crucial! You look at the subject immediately before the verb to determine if the verb should be singular or plural. The subjects are offering a choice, not a combination.
Rule 3: 'Each' or 'Every' with Compound Subjects
When 'each...
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Challenging
Consider the sentence: 'Either the historical context or the author's personal letters ___ the key to understanding the novel.' Which word is the closest subject, and which verb correctly completes the sentence?
A.context, provide
B.context, provides
C.letters, provide
D.letters, provides
Challenging
Analyze the two sentences. Which sentence correctly applies the 'Closest Subject' rule, and why?
Sentence 1: Neither the director nor the actors was ready for the scene.
Sentence 2: Neither the actors nor the director was ready for the scene.
A.Sentence 1 is correct because 'director' is singular.
B.Sentence 2 is correct because the singular verb 'was' agrees with the closer singular subject 'director'.
C.Both are correct because 'neither' makes the subject singular.
D.Both are incorrect; the verb should be 'were' in both cases.
Challenging
The sentence 'Every plot twist and character arc was masterfully planned' is grammatically correct. Which rule best explains the use of the singular verb 'was'?
A.The rule for compound subjects joined by 'and', which states the verb must be plural.
B.The 'Closest Subject' rule, because 'arc' is singular.
C.The exception rule stating that when 'each' or 'every' precedes a compound subject, the verb is always singular.
D.The rule for intervening phrases, which are ignored when determining verb agreement.
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What grade level is "Use the correct verb – with compound subjects"?
Use the correct verb – with compound subjects is a Grade 7 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Use the correct verb – with compound subjects?
You'll be able to: Identify the correct verb form (singular or plural) to use with compound subjects joined by "and" in 8 out of 10 sentences; Explain the rule for using singular or plural verbs with compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor" using….
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How many practice questions are included with Use the correct verb – with compound subjects?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.