http://grammar-worksheets.com Subject-Verb Agreement, Answers, (was, were), (have, has), and (do, does) 2
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13. The two science teachers or Mr. Simmons (was) going to call the state legislators.
Tip: When a compound subject is separated by the word “or,” the verb form is ruled by the subject that
is closer to the verb. In this case, the subject, “Mr. Simmons,” (singular) is closer, thus “was.”
14. The cats that hid in the old house (were) meowing all night.
Tip: The relative clause “that hid in the old house” merely interrupts the subject “cats,” which is plural,
from the verb „were.” Some students may look at the word “house” and think the verb that follows should
be singular.
15. Each of the swimmers (was) standing on the platform and ready for the race.
Tip: The word “each” is one of those indefinite pronouns that is always singular. Some students get
confused with a prepositional phrase “of the swimmers” coming between the subject “each” and the verb
“was.”
16. There (were) only three milk cartons in the refrigerator.
Tip: After the word “There” at the beginning of a sentence, some students get confused with what form
of the verb to use. They must look beyond the verb. “Three milk cartons” is the subject of the verb
“were.”
If the sentence had referred to only ONE milk carton, the sentence would read “There was only ONE milk
carton in the refrigerator.”
17. The Prince and The Pauper (was) my favorite book when I was a child.
Tip: The Prince and The Pauper is a book; it is singular, thus requiring the singular form, “was.”
18. A prince and a pauper (were) standing next to each other on the bridge.
Tip: In this case, a prince and a pauper are two singular subjects joined by the word “and.” The
compound subject is plural, thus requiring the plural form, “were.”
19. Ramon and Alexandra (were) applying for the same teaching position.
Tip: When you have two singular subjects joined by the conjunction “and,” the verb must be plural
because the subject is plural: “They were applying….”
20. None of the students (were) asked to evaluate the instructor.
Tip: Some words including “none,” “any,” “all,” “more,” “most,” and “some” require either a singular verb or a
plural verb, depending on their use in the sentence. In these instances, the object of the preposition may be useful in
determining whether the verb is singular or plural.
In this case, “students” is plural, so the correct form is were.