This document provides rules for determining whether to use a singular or plural verb with compound subjects. It addresses situations involving subjects joined by and, or, either/or, neither/nor. It also covers pronouns, collective nouns, subjects separated from verbs, and subjects involving portions or numbers. Examples are provided to illustrate the rules.
2. Two singular subjects connected
byorornorrequire a singular verb
Example: Myaunt ormyuncleis
arrivingbytraintoday.
3. Two singular subjects connected
byeither/ororneither/norrequire a
singular verb as in Rule 1.
Example :1.NeitherJuannorCarmenisavailable.
2.EitherKianaorCaseyishelpingtodaywithstage
decorations.
4. WhenIis one of the two subjects connected
by either/oror neither/nor,put it secondand follow it
withthe singularverb am.
Example: NeithershenorIamgoingtothe
festival.
5. When a singular subjectis connected
by oror norto a plural subject, put the plural
subject last and use a plural verb.
Example : The serving bowl or
the plates go on that shelf.
6. When asingular and plural subjectare
connected by either/oror neither/nor,put the
plural subjectlast and use aplural verb.
Example : Neither Jenny nor
the others are available
7. As a general rule, use a plural verb with
two or more subjects when they are
connected byand.
Example : Acarandabikearemymeansof
transportation.
8. Sometimesthe subjectis separatedfromthe verb
by words such as alongwith,aswellas,besides,
or not. Ignore these expressionswhen determining
whether to use a singular or plural verb.
Example :Thepolitician,alongwiththe
newsmen,isexpectedshortly.
12. The expression thenumberis followed by a
singular verb while the expression anumberis
followed by a plural verb.
Example : 1)The number of people we
need to hire is thirteen.
2.)Anumberofpeoplehavewrittenin
aboutthissubject.
13. Wheneitherand neitherare subjects, they
always takesingular verbs.
Example : 1.)Neitherofthemisavailable to
speakrightnow.
2.)Eitherofusiscapableofdoingthejob.
14. The words hereand therehave generallybeen labeled as
adverbs even though they indicateplace.In sentences
beginningwith hereor there, the subject follows the
verb.
Example : 1.)Therearefourhurdlestojump.
2.)Thereisahighhurdletojump.
15. Use a singular verb with sums of moneyor
periods of time.
Example : 1.)Tendollarsisahighprice
topay.
2.)Fiveyearsisthemaximum
sentenceforthatoffense.
16. Sometimes the pronounwho,that,
orwhichis the subject of a verb in the middle
of thesentence. The pronouns who,that,
and whichbecome singular or plural
according to the noun directly in frontof
them. So, ifthat noun is singular, use a
singular verb. If it is plural, use aplural verb.
18. Collectivenouns such as teamand staffmay be
either singularor plural depending on their use in
the sentence.
Example : 1.)Thestaffisinameeting.
2.)Thestaffmembersareindisagreement
aboutthefindings.
19.
20. • 1. Almost everybody (has / have) some
difficulty with writing.
• 2.Neither the chipmunk nor the squirrels(is /
are)bothering us.
• 3. Both of us (is / are) voting in the next
election.
• 4. Milo, Phoebe, and I (was / were) offering our
help.
• 5. Neither of you (jump / jumps) to
conclusions.
• 6. Some say the Indians (has / have) been
treated unfairly.
21. • 7. There (was/ were)only two choiceson the
menu.
• 8. Rudy as well as his cat (like/ likes)
milk.
• 9. He (is /are)my boss and friend.
• 10. Sunbathing(is / are)my favorite form of
exercise.
• 11. Neither of us (has / have) to pay the fine.
• 12. The twins and their parents (travel /travels)
together.
22. • 13. Nobody (believe/ believes)your alibi.
• 14. AmericaandRussia (is /are)the most powerful
nations.
• 15. “Safe”and “out” (is/ are)two callsin baseball.
• 16. Neither of them (dance/ dances)to disco
music.
• 17. Each (serve/ serves)a different purpose.
• 18. The hammeras well as the saw (make/ makes)
work easier.
23. • 19. Jacques (was /were) working for his uncle last
year.
• 20. Our team (play /plays) hard every night.
• 21.Several of these books (looks/ look) brand new.
• 22.The president and host (greets/ greet) guests at the
door.
• 23.The parking pass and the ticket (lies/ lie) on the
desk.
• 24.Some of the votes __________to have been
miscounted. (seems/ seem)
24. • 25. Everybody (is/are) unique
• 26.Either my father or my mother(was/were)at
home.Idon’t remember which one.
• 27.Neither Janenor Gill (is/are) good at English.
• 28.Neither Helen nor herbrothers(do/does) the
shopping.
• 29.Each of the parents (is/are) responsible for
child care.
• 30.The manager,along with the
teachers,(was/were)present at the meeting.
25. • 31.Either you or I(am/are) going to buy some
sugar.
• 32.The police(was/were)carrying gunsand
gas.
• 33.There(is/are) a nice swimmingpool
nearby.
• 34.There(was/were) ten students who failed
geography.
• 35.Mom and dad never(quarrel/quarrels).
• 36.Both Larry andJem (is/are) rich.
26. • 37.Hansel and Gretel (is, are) a famous children's
story.
• 38.The staff (was/were) shocked by the news of their
boss.
• 39.There (is/are)little money left.We can’t buy all we
need.
• 40.The number of unemployed citizens (is/are) rising
day by day.
• 41.30percent of our income (go/goes) torent.
• 42.Our army (is/are) one of the largest and most
powerful in theworld.
27. • 43.Economics (is/are)Jogn's major field of study.
• 44.Niether Jim norhis friends (want/wants)to help on
the washing.
• 45.The people (arrive/arrives)early forthe lectures.
• 46.Eithertopic (has/have)the professor's approval.
• 47.The report of your grade (is/are)in the office.
• 48.The first two parts of the experiment (take/takes)the
most time.
28. • 49. (A number of /The number of) the power lines
is down becauseof the wind.
• 50.(Each/Some)of us plan togive a report.(plan)