When Verbs Agree with Subjects

Rule 1: A verb should match its subject in both number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). Sometimes, a verb might incorrectly match with a nearby noun instead of the correct subject. This mistake should be avoided. Here are some everyday examples:

• The taste of the apples was sour.
• The arrival of pizza and burgers has changed our dinner habits.
• Her understanding of math is really impressive.
• The condition of the car was worrying to the owner.
• If we could be there when the fireworks start, we would see an amazing display.
• The effects of eating healthy are visible in their energy levels.

Rule 2: When you have two or more singular subjects connected by ‘and’, use a plural verb. For example:

• Apples and oranges are types of fruit.
• Cats and dogs usually do not get along.
• Patience and hard work often have no shortcuts.
• Are both your brother and sister at school?
• In her, were combined intelligence and kindness.
• My dog and I were walking in the park.

But, if the two nouns are so close they represent one thing or idea, or they talk about the same person or thing, then the verb should be singular. Like this:

• Peanut butter and jelly makes a great sandwich.
• The hat and scarf is on the chair.
• Macaroni and cheese is his favorite meal.
• Success and fame comes with hard work.
• The ebb and flow of the waves is caused by the moon.
• My teacher and mentor has arrived.
• The artist and musician is very talented.

Rule 3: If you add extra information to a singular subject using words like ‘with’, ‘as well as’, etc., these don’t change the verb to plural. It stays singular. Look at these examples:

• The book, along with its illustrations, was fascinating.
• The president, along with the advisors, is expected to attend.
• The boat, including its crew, was missing.
• Gold, as well as silver, has gone up in value.
• History, as well as geography, was his field of study.
• Kindness, as well as honesty, is important.
• The advice, as well as the support of a friend, was needed.

Rule 4: When two or more singular subjects are connected by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, the verb should be singular. Here’s what I mean:

• Neither the kitchen nor the bedroom was cleaned.
• Either the movie or the game is a good choice for tonight.

Continuing with the simplification:

Rule 5: When subjects connected by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ are different people, the verb should agree with the one closest to it. Here’s how you can say it simply:

• Either the cat or the dogs have made a mess.
• Neither the dessert nor the main course was tasty.
• Neither praise nor criticism seems to bother him.

But, if one of the subjects is plural, the verb should be plural too, and the plural subject should be closer to the verb:

• Neither the manager nor the employees are in the office.

Rule 6: Words like ‘either’, ‘neither’, ‘each’, ‘everyone’, and ‘many a’ should be followed by a singular verb. For example:

• He wondered if any of the options was the right choice.
• Neither of the solutions was effective.
• Each of these games is fun.
• Every one of the students is going on the trip.
• Many a person has tried this before.

Rule 7: When ‘each’ or ‘every’ comes before two nouns joined by ‘and’, the verb is singular:

• Every pen and every pencil was placed in the holder.

Rule 8: Some words look plural but are actually singular and need a singular verb:

• The news is exciting.
• Economics is his major subject.
• The wages of sin is death.
• Mathematics is studied by many.

Rule 9: The words ‘pains’ and ‘means’ can take either singular or plural verbs, but you should stick to one form in a sentence:

• A lot of effort has been put into this project.
• The methods used are effective.
• His income was greatly affected by the loss.

Rule 10: Some words that are singular in form but plural in meaning take a plural verb:

• Twelve dozen eggs cost a lot these days.

Rule 11: ‘None’ can take either a singular or plural verb, but it’s usually plural:

• None of the cookies were left.

Rule 12: A collective noun (like ‘committee’) takes a singular verb when we think of the group as a single unit, and a plural verb when we think of the individual members:

• The team has won the match.
• The team are arguing among themselves.

Let’s continue simplifying:

Rule 13: When a plural name stands for one thing or a group acting as a unit, use a singular verb. Here’s how you can say it in everyday terms:

• “Harry Potter” is a popular book series.
• “The Beatles” was a famous band.
• “The Chronicles of Narnia” is a classic children’s series.

Rule 14: When talking about a specific amount of something as a whole, the verb should be singular:

• Thirty minutes is the time given for the exam.
• Five kilometres is too far to walk in the rain.
• A thousand dollars is a lot to pay for that phone.
• Half of the cake is still left.