5 Subject-Verb Agreement (compound subjects)
KEY CONCEPTS
A conjunction is a word used to connect or coordinate other words in the same clause. Some common conjunctions are and, but, nor, or, so, and yet.
Efficient writers use conjunctions to create compound subjects and combine simple sentences.
For more in-depth explanations and practice, Nova Southeastern University provides a helpful PDF resource on matching subjects with verbs.
As we’ve studied in previous chapters, the most important part of analyzing a sentence grammatically is to identify the main subject and its accompanying verb. Below is a review question.
Now let’s try a question about sentence content that separates the subject and the verb.
Here’s an advanced tip. A media writer might want to restructure that last sentence with an attribution (said).
Discussing an ethical concern, the professor said social media influencers focus on their own fame.
Sometimes the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns. We call this a compound subject. The word and is often used as a conjunction to join the nouns or pronouns in a compound subject. Here are two examples:
The dog and cat need a bath.
The dog needs a bath. The cat needs a bath.
The dog and cat need a bath.
(The use of the conjunction and creates the plural compound subject, which changes the correct verb from needs to need.)
And consider this:
Jayla and I are working tonight.
Jayla is working tonight. I am working tonight.
Jayla and I are working tonight.
Note that the correct pronoun in the previous sentence is I, not me. We’ll study pronouns in other chapters.
Let’s move on to another example.
Skilled writers can consider several options when they construct sentences. For example, here are three sentences that can be combined into one:
- The city attorney is a member of the city’s task force.
- Another member of the mayor’s task force is the planning director.
- The task force will develop plans for affordable housing.
Below are four ways to construct a single sentence containing information from the three sentences above. Each of these options is written correctly.
- The city attorney and the planning director are members of the city’s task force, which will develop plans for affordable housing.
- The mayor’s task force, which includes the city attorney and the planning director, will develop plans for affordable housing.
- The mayor’s task force, which will develop plans for affordable housing, includes the city attorney and the planning director.
- The city attorney and the planning director, who are members of the city’s task force, will help develop plans for affordable housing.
MORE PRACTICE FOR PROFICIENCY
Below are additional usage questions based on chapter 3, 4 and 5. These questions may help you study for course assignments or a proficiency exam.
Advance through the following sets of practice questions by using the forward button or clicking on sections of the control bar. To enlarge any interactive presentation in this guidebook, click on the lower-right full-screen option (arrows):
WRITING EXERCISE
1. Rewrite the following information in a single sentence that contains a compound subject.
- Senator Susan Schletzky says she will vote for the bill.
- Another senator who says he will vote for the bill is Juan Nunez.
- The bill would reduce the state sales tax by 2%.
2. Using examples from earlier in the chapter, rewrite the following information in a single sentence that contains a compound subject.
- My colleague has applied for a promotion.
- I have applied for a promotion.
- The promotion includes a $2,000 raise.
3. In two tightly constructed sentences, explain your key takeaway from this chapter. Do not use any first-person pronouns (such as I, me, my or mine) in your writing.
WANT MORE PRACTICE and GUIDANCE? Here are some external resources:
Towson State University (ex. 1)
Towson State University (ex. 2)
