Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects

In this video, Kerry explains subject-verb agreement focusing on compound subjects. The video covers three main rules: subjects joined by 'and' usually take a plural verb, singular subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor' take a singular verb, and when singular and plural subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. Examples are provided for each rule. Tips for revising sentences to avoid awkward phrasing are also included. The video concludes with a call to action to engage with more content.

What is the main focus of the video?

• Subject-verb agreement

• Sentence structure

• Pronoun usage

• Punctuation rules

What is a compound subject?

• A subject that is a single noun

• A subject with multiple adjectives

• A subject joined by a conjunction with the same verb

• A subject with multiple verbs

Which verb form do subjects joined by 'and' usually take?

• Singular

• Plural

• Past tense

• Future tense

In the sentence 'The secretary and the treasurer is Anna', why is 'is' used?

• Because 'is' is always used with 'and'

• Because 'Anna' is a plural noun

• Because 'secretary' and 'treasurer' refer to the same person

• Because 'secretary' and 'treasurer' are two different people

Which verb form do singular subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor' take?

• Future tense

• Past tense

• Singular

• Plural

In the sentence 'Either Felicia or Erin sits in the front room', why is 'sits' used?

• Because 'sits' is a past tense verb

• Because 'sits' is a future tense verb

• Because 'Felicia' and 'Erin' are both plural

• Because 'Felicia' and 'Erin' are both singular

When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by 'or' or 'nor', which subject does the verb agree with?

• The first subject

• The subject nearer to the verb

• Both subjects

• The subject farther from the verb

In the sentence 'Neither the players nor the coach was ready to concede defeat', why is 'was' used?

• Because 'coach' is a plural noun

• Because 'players' is a singular noun

• Because 'coach' is nearer to the verb

• Because 'players' is nearer to the verb

What is a suggested tip to avoid awkward wordings in sentences?

• Rephrase the sentence

• Use more conjunctions

• Add more subjects

• Use passive voice

How can the sentence 'Neither the coach nor the players were ready to concede defeat' be revised to be less awkward?

• The coach and the players were ready to concede defeat

• The players and the coach were not ready to concede defeat

• The coach was not ready to concede defeat and neither were the players

• The players were not ready to concede defeat and neither was the coach