In simple sentences, like the ones above, it is relatively easy to check the subject-verb agreement. PLURAL SUBJECT: The dogs bark every morning. SINGULAR SUBJECT: The dog barks every morning. That is, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural: Most ESL and EFL learners know that the verb's number in a sentence must match the subject's number. Editor Kory Stamper offers some helpful tips. More info.One of our readers asks about when compound subjects take a plural verb and when they take a singular verb. Straight talking and methodical, Craig Shrives draws on his years compiling Grammar Monster and as an army officer to present a comprehensive but light-hearted and easily digestible grammar reference guide. Vocational rather than academic, 'Grammar for Grown-ups' is packed with real-life examples and keeps you engaged with a wealth of great quotations from Homer the Greek to Homer the Simpson. If you like Grammar Monster, you'll love this book. Here's the killer bit: All entries end with a clearly worded summary that explains why the grammar point is relevant for a writer. Each entry kicks off with a simple explanation and some basic examples before giving real-life, entertaining examples. Written by the founder of Grammar Monster, 'Smashing Grammar' includes a comprehensive A-Z glossary of essential grammar terms, a detailed punctuation section, and a chapter on easily confused words. However, under the Proximity Rule, 'ice-cream' governs 'was' because it is the nearest element.) (Under standard convention, this should read 'were' because 'chocolates' is plural.

There was neither ice-cream nor chocolates at the party.

However, under the Proximity Rule, 'cake' governs 'is' because it is the nearest element.) (Under standard convention, this should read 'are sufficient' because 'crumpets' is plural. Under a ruling known as the 'Proximity Rule,' the verb is governed by the element nearest to it. Not all grammar conventions follow the ruling above.

Neither Jeremy nor Sarah was in the shop at the time of the theft.

If both elements are singular, use the singular form. Sometimes, it may sound wrong to use the singular form of the verb.

Either tea and crumpets or cake are sufficient.

The words that follow 'either,' 'or,' 'neither,' and 'nor' are known as the elements. The pairings 'either/or' and 'neither/nor' are known as correlative conjunctions. Infographic Explaining Verb Agreement with 'Either/Or' and 'Neither/Nor' (This should be 'have' because 'budgies' is plural.)

Either the budgies or the cat has to go.

(Here, 'knows,' which is singular, would be wrong.)

Neither the firemen nor the policemen know him.

There were neither cakes nor ice-cream at the party.

(Here, 'lawyer' is singular, but 'detectives' is plural.

Neither the lawyer nor the detectives are able to follow the sequence of events.

If the pairings 'either/or' or 'neither/nor' form part of the subject and at least one of the elements is plural, then the verb must be plural too. Read about using 'his/her' and 'their' as singular concepts. It should be 'does.' NB: Sometimes, you have to look further down the sentence too. (As 'Simon' is singular and 'Gary' is singular, 'do' is wrong.

Neither Simon nor Gary do as they are told.

Either a mouse or a rat eats the cable at night.(As 'clerk' is singular and 'secretary' is singular, 'has' is correct i.e., 'have' would be wrong.)

Either the clerk or the secretary has the keys to the Land Rover.(As 'Dickens' is singular and 'Thackeray' is singular, 'was' is correct i.e., 'were' would be wrong.) Neither Dickens nor Thackeray was a panderer to the public taste.(As 'Mark' is singular and 'Dawn' is singular, then 'is' is correct. Neither Mark nor Dawn is at the function.If the pairings 'either/or' (often the 'either' is omitted) or 'neither/nor' form part of the subject of a verb and both elements are singular, then the verb is singular too. (Here, 'neither' is a determiner modifying 'man.' The term 'neither man' is singular.) (Here, 'either' is a determiner modifying 'car.' The term 'either car' is singular.) Here are some examples showing 'either' and 'neither' as singular concepts: It means 'not one nor the other of two things, i.e., not either.' It also attracts a singular verb.Д®xamples Showing 'Either' and 'Neither' As Singular The word 'neither' can also be a pronoun or a determiner. 'Either' means 'one or the other of two things.' It attracts a singular verb. The word 'either' can be a pronoun or a determiner. 'Either' and 'neither' are singular concepts.

Either singular or plural verb