Compound Subjects and Verb Agreement Worksheet — Grade 4
Grade 4 students practice verb agreement with compound subjects joined by and, or, and nor through identify, fill-in, and rewrite exercises.
When two or more subjects share a verb, the verb must agree with them — but the rule changes depending on which word joins those subjects. This worksheet helps fourth graders work through three key cases: subjects joined by and, which almost always take a plural verb; subjects joined by or, where the verb matches the closer subject; and subjects joined by nor, which follows the same pattern as or. The exercises move from recognition to production. Students first underline compound subjects and circle their verbs, then fill blanks, then correct wrong sentences, and finally write one of their own. Completing all four parts gives students a reliable rule they can check whenever a compound subject appears in their own writing.
Compound Subjects and Verb Agreement Worksheet — Grade 4
This worksheet is about compound subjects and how verbs must agree with them. Read each section's directions carefully before you begin.
Remember
- When two subjects are joined by and, the verb is plural: 'Mia and Jake run to school.'
- When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the closer subject: 'A brush or two pens are in the box.'
- A phrase between the subject and verb does not change the rule. In 'The cat and the bird fly,' and still makes the verb plural.
Part A — Find the Compound Subject and Verb
Underline the compound subject and circle the verb that agrees with it in each sentence.
- 1.
Kenji and Sofia play soccer at recess every Friday.
- 2.
Either the pencil or the pen works well for this math test.
- 3.
Neither the dogs in the yard nor the cat comes inside during a storm.
- 4.
The books and the notebook belong on the classroom shelf.
- 5.
Either the teacher or the students answer the question first.
Part B — Complete the Sentence
Write the correct form of the verb in each blank to complete the sentence.
- 6.
Tomas and his sister ____ breakfast before school each day.
- 7.
Either a map or a compass ____ helpful on a nature hike.
- 8.
Neither the chart nor the graphs ____ the right data.
- 9.
The rabbit and the three hamsters in our classroom ____ fresh water daily.
- 10.
Either the students or Ms. Chen ____ the new math rule.
Part C — Fix the Error
Each sentence has one verb error. Rewrite the full sentence with the correct verb.
- 11.
My brother and his friend plays basketball after school.
- 12.
Either the principal or the librarian are going to help us.
- 13.
Neither the snake nor the lizards lives in cold weather.
- 14.
The girls in my reading group and Lena was chosen for the play.
Part D — Write Your Own
Write your own sentence using a compound subject joined by and, or, or nor.
- 15.
Write one sentence with a compound subject joined by and, or, or nor. Make sure the verb agrees with the compound subject.
Answer key
Part A — Find the Compound Subject and Verb
- 1.Kenji and Sofia, play
- 2.the pencil or the pen, works
- 3.the dogs in the yard nor the cat, comes
- 4.The books and the notebook, belong
- 5.the teacher or the students, answer
Part B — Complete the Sentence
- 6.eat
- 7.is
- 8.show
- 9.need
- 10.explains
Part C — Fix the Error
- 11.My brother and his friend play basketball after school.
- 12.Either the principal or the librarian is going to help us.
- 13.Neither the snake nor the lizards live in cold weather.
- 14.The girls in my reading group and Lena were chosen for the play.
Part D — Write Your Own
- 15.Example: Raj and his classmates study the solar system in science class.
What this worksheet teaches
- Identify compound subjects and the verbs that agree with them in sentences
- Choose the correct verb form for compound subjects joined by and, or, or nor
- Write an original sentence that uses a compound subject with correct verb agreement
Notes for the grown-up
- Students often use a singular verb with 'and' compounds because they focus on one noun at a time rather than the pair.
- When a student errs on or/nor questions, point to the noun directly before the blank and ask if it names one or more than one.
- The student is ready to move on when they can explain their verb choice in words without relying on what sounds right.
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