Subject and Verb agreement

1. We use a plural verb when two or more nouns or pronouns are connected by 'and'

• She and her friends are at the library

2. We use a singular verb when two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by 'or' or 'nor'

• The book or the pen is on the table
• Neither the book nor the pen is on the table

3. When a subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb

• Mary or her friends are at the party
• Neither my friends nor Mary is at the party

4. The following words are always singular: 'each', 'each one', 'either', 'neither', 'everyone', 'everybody', 'anybody', 'anyone', 'nobody', 'somebody', 'someone', and 'no one'

• Everybody has a chance to play
• Either sandwich is delicious
• Each of those paintings is priceless

5. In sentences beginning with 'there is' or 'there are', the verb 'to be' agrees with what follows

• There is a problem
• There are many problems

6. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but they are generally considered singular; some collective nouns are 'group', 'team', 'committee', 'class', and 'family'

• My family has dinner together every Sunday
• My team is winning

7. Some exceptions of plural collective nouns include 'people', 'men' and 'women'

• Most people like going to the beach
• A lot of women were present at the meeting