Lesson · G.3.1

Subject-verb agreement

The HESI A2 Grammar section tests subject-verb agreement past the obvious cases. Learn how to find the true subject when phrases, collective nouns, or compound subjects get in the way.

ObjectiveG.3.1Read3 minExam weightCommon Errors and Usage ≈ 36% of Grammar

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What you will be able to do

You can match a verb to its true subject even when other words sit between them.
You can choose the correct verb for a collective noun depending on whether the group acts as one or as individuals.
You can pick the right verb for compound subjects joined by and, or, or neither/nor.

What the lesson concludes

A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. The trick is always finding the real subject.
Ignore inserted phrases such as including, along with, and as well as when you check agreement. They do not change the subject's number.
A collective noun (staff, team, family) takes a singular verb when the group acts as one, and a plural verb when its members act separately.
Subjects joined by or, either/or, or neither/nor take a verb that agrees with the subject closest to it, not with the whole pair.