What you will learn in Grade 5
Today's goal: Identify the real subject even when other nouns appear nearby and handle each, either, neither and compound subjects.
The box of books is heavy.
The verb must agree with the true subject, even when extra words come between them.
The players are ready.
A plural subject normally takes a plural verb in the simple present.
Each student has a notebook.
Words such as each make the subject grammatically singular, so the verb is singular.
Neither answer is correct.
Words such as neither are normally treated as singular in formal standard English.
Core idea
Read the explanation, study the examples and explain the idea in your own words.
Learn with examples
box ... is
“box ... is” shows the verb being used in the sentence.
Each ... has
“Each ... has” shows the verb being used in the sentence.
Riya and Arun are
“Riya and Arun are” shows the verb being used in the sentence.
See the skill in action
Quick check
Choose: Neither answer is/are correct.
Practice like a learner
- Correct: The group of students are ready.
- Correct: Each of the boys have a pencil.
- Write a sentence with a compound subject.
- Write a sentence using 'neither'.
- Underline the subject in a tricky sentence and justify the verb.
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