The basic rule about this topic is very easy to understand because when you find a singular subject in the sentences you takes a singular verb, if you have plural name you takes a plural verbs.
My own Examples:
They are my cousing.
He works extra hours tonight.
There are 15 rules about this topic:
Rule 1.
Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.
My own Examples:
- My sister or my Dad is walking on the park.
- Jose or Johana was ill in the hospital.
- Carlos or Marisela is doing the homework.
Rule 2.
Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a singular verb as in Rule.
My own Examples:
- Neither Jose or Maria is in home.
- Neither Marta or Karla is work this day.
- Either Vanessa or Gaby is swimming on the beach.
- Either Carlos or Brenda is playing in the sand.
Rule 3.
When I is one of the two subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor, put it second and follow it with the singular verb am.
My own Examples:
- Neither Karla or I am going to the church.
- Either Marcos nor I am sitting in the work.
- Neither Flor or I am borrow money.
Rule 4.
When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
My own Examples:
- The police or the people go to the station.
- The school or the cars are in bad condition.
Rule 5.
When a singular and plural subject are connected by either/or or neither/nor, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
My own Examples:
- Neither John nor others are there.
- Neither Susan nor others are in the shop.
Rule 6.
As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.
My own Examples:
- A car and a bus are in the accident.
- A taxi driver and bus driver are fighting in the street.
Rule 7.
Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as well as, besides, or not. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural verb.
My own Examples:
- A doctor as well as a teacher, is very confortable this profession.
- Being a ingenieer as easier as being a Salesman, is very interesting both profession.
Rule 8.
The pronouns each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are singular and require singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows of.
My own Examples:
- Everyone in this classroom is doing the homework.
- Anybody in this place is smoking here.
Rule 9.
With words that indicate portions—percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, and so forth —look at the noun in your of phrase (object of the preposition) to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.
My own Examples:
- The fifteen porcen of the world are pollution.
- One-third of the people are poor.
Rule 10.
The expression the number is followed by a singular verb while the expression a number is followed by a plural verb.
My own Examples:
- The number of the people have to bring the homework this day.
- The number of the childrem that need studied is a lot.
Rule 11.
When either and neither are subjects, they always take singular verbs.
My own Examples:
- Neither of them is working in the office.
- Either of us is studing in that university.
Rule 12.
The words here and there have generally been labeled as adverbs even though they indicate place. In sentences beginning with here or there, the subject follows the verb.
My own Examples:
- There are apples on the desk.
- There is a hospital close to here,
Rule 13.
Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.
My own Examples:
- Ten dollars is enough for me.
- 5 dollas is my present for you.
Rule 14.
Sometimes the pronoun who, that, or which is the subject of a verb in the middle of the sentence. The pronouns who, that, and which become singular or plural according to the noun directly in front of them. So, if that noun is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
My own Examples:
- He is the men who do the constructions.
- She is the girl that is sick.
Rule 15.
Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural depending on their use in the sentence.
