Here’s a list of some additional subject-verb agreement rules to clear up the more problematic
areas.
1. If the subject consists of multiple nouns joined by the conjunction and, treat the subject
as plural and use the plural form of the verb.
Lucas and Maxine are in love!
Only Lucas is in love.
However, some common phrases that form a single unit can act as singular.
This bed and breakfast is delightful!
2. the subject consists of multiple singular nouns joined by or, treat the subject as singular.
Penne or rigatoni works fine for the recipe.
However, if the subject consists of multiple plural nouns joined by or, treat the subject as plural.
Cats or dogs make good friends.
3. If there’s a combination of singular and plural nouns joined by or, the verb follows the
number of the final one listed.
The teacher or the students have to inform the principal.
The students or the teacher has to inform the principal.
4. If there is more than one active verb, as with compound predicates, all the verbs must
agree with the subject.
After work, I go shopping, pick up the kids, cook dinner, and then relax for the night.
5. Mass nouns, otherwise known as “uncountable nouns” or “noncount nouns,” act as
singular subjects.
Love makes the world go around.
6. Collective nouns can be either singular or plural, depending on whether they act together
or separately.
[Together, singular] The team goes to practice at 4:00.
[Separately, plural] The team go to their own homes after practice.
7. The words each and every count as singular when they’re used as the subject, even if
they’re followed by multiple nouns.
Each window and door needs to be sealed.
Every doctor, nurse, and technician gets free training here.
8. Likewise, these words always act as singular subjects, even when they describe more
than one thing:
anybody
anyone
either
everybody
everyone
neither
no one
nobody
somebody
someone
Everybody loves using correct grammar!
Either blue or green works for the wallpaper color.
9. If additional phrases come between the subject and the verb, the verb must still agree
with the subject. These sentences can be tricky, so be careful.
A group consisting of Professor Lidenbrock, the Icelandic guide Hans Bjelke, and the
professor’s nephew Axel departs for the volcano.
10. Be particularly careful of subjects that use the phrase “one of . . . ” The word one is
singular, even when followed by plural nouns.
One of the world’s leading scientists still has trouble speaking in public.
11. When referring to distances, periods of time, or amounts of money—taken as a
whole—use the singular form of the verb.
Twenty dollars is too much for IMAX!
12. Be careful of nouns that exist only in the plural form; they sometimes act as singular.
The news has been depressing lately.
Politics is getting too combative.
However, some of these nouns act as plural.
The scissors do not work.
If a plural noun is preceded by the word pair, treat the subject as singular because pair is
singular.
The pair of scissors does not work.
……..
Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.
1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.
2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.
3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.
4. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor.
5. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie.
6. Benito (doesn't, don't) know the answer.
7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.
8. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.
9. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to watch.
10. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.
11. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.
12. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.
13. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.
14. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?
15. Mathematics (is, are) John's favorite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andrea's favorite subject.
16. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.
17. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?
18. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's.
19. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!
20. The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully.
21. The committee members (leads, lead) very different lives in private.
22. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets, greet) the press cordially.
23. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case.
