Subject-Verb Agreement

Singular subjects (subjects representing just one person or thing) must take singular verbs, and plural subjects (subjects representing multiple people or things) must take plural verbs. Examples:

• The dog runs fast. (dog is a singular subject; runs is a singular verb)
• The dogs run fast. (dog is a plural subject; run is a plural verb)
  
  

Compound subjects, which are subjects consisting of two or more individual nouns, take a plural verb if the nouns are joined by the conjunction and. Examples:

• Molly and Eric go to the store. (the compound subject Molly and Eric takes the plural verb go)
• Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville are all cities in Arkansas. (the compound subject Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville takes the plural verb are)

However, if the nouns in a compound subject are joined by the conjunction or or nor, the subject closest to the verb must agree. Examples:

• Either John or his sons buy tickets. (the noun his sons is plural, so the verb buy is plural)
• Neither the boys nor Pam likes this music. (the noun Pam is singular, so the verb likes is singular)

Collective nouns, which are singular nouns that represent groups of individuals, take singular verbs. Examples:

• The band meets for rehearsal every Sunday. (the collective noun band takes the singular verb meets)
• The committee votes to repeal the law. (the collective noun committee takes the singular verb votes)

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