SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

1. Singular nouns and pronouns joined by the word “and” are generally plural.
Example: Gold and silver are precious metals.

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2. However, if the nouns suggest one idea, or refer to the same person or the same thing then the verb is singular.
Example:The novelist and the great poet is dead. (This sentence is about a single person who was a novelist and also a poet)

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3. “Does not” should be used only with a singular subject. “Do not” should be used only with a plural subject.
Example: She does not like to write.

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4. When two or more singular subjects are connected with each other by: “nor” and “ or” , then the verb must be singular.
Example: Neither the student nor the teacher was interested in taking the class.

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5. When the subjects joined by “nor” and “or” are of different persons, in that case the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it.
Example: Neither the lecturer nor the students want to attend the farewell. ( in this construction, want agrees with students )

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6. “Each”, “everyone”, “everybody”, “nobody” must be followed by a singular verb.
Example: Nobody expects to fail when they start a business.

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7. There are some nouns that are plural in form but have a singular meaning. These subjects will take a singular verb.
Example: The news is bad.

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8. “There is” and “there are” agree with the noun that follows.
Example: There are students in the room.

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9. Collective nouns take a singular verb, such as: group, team, committee, class, and family.
Example: The committee has issued its report.