TIP for ESL students: A noun in the plural often ends with s, but a verb ending with s will be singular.
        Example: Fadi works at The Bay.

For any writer, it sometimes can be difficult to identify the subject or know whether the subject is singular or plural. The following rules will guide you through some special situations.

1. When a compound subject is joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the closer part of the subject.
        Example: Neither the boy’s uncles nor his brother is willing to help pay for the operation.
Neither the boy’s brother nor his uncles are willing to help pay for the operation.

2. A compound subject joined by and requires a plural verb.
        Example: Julia and Fawsia are moving to Regina as soon as they get their tax refunds.
Exception: When both subjects refer to the same person or thing, use a singular verb.
        Example: Peaches and cream is a tasty dessert.

3. When There or Here begins a sentence, the subject follows the verb.
        Example: Here are the supplies you ordered.

4. The following pronouns are always singular and require a singular verb: every, everyone, everybody, each, neither, either, none.
        Example: Every challenge is important for building character.

5a. A prepositional phrase will not include a subject of a sentence.
        Example: Each of the five colleges is hiring new professors.

5b. A compound prepositional phrase between the subject and the verb will not affect the agreement of the subject and verb. Some of the common prepositional phrases begin with such as..., in addition to..., as well as..., along with..., together with..., including....
        Example: The truck driver, along with her husband and son, travels from Moncton to Toronto twice a week.

6. Collective nouns, such as committee, herd, army, etc., will be singular when all the members of the group are thinking the same or doing the same activity.
        Example: The herd of goats is crossing the highway.
Collective nouns will be plural when the members of the group are not thinking the same or doing the same activity.
        Example: The herd of goats are scattering in all directions.

7. Subjects such as mumps, AIDS, physics and aerobics require a singular verb.

8. Words such as scissors and pants that name an item with two parts require a plural verb.

9. When a relative pronoun (who, which, that) is also the subject for a dependent clause, make the verb agree with the noun or pronoun to which the relative pronoun refers.
        Example: Hans Brucker, who is writing his autobiography, plans to publish the book early next year.
Abdikaram and Lydia, who work at Horizons, are filing a lawsuit against the company.

10. Units of time, money, distance, capacity, and weight require a singular verb.
        Example: Two hours is too long to wait for a bus, even if you aren’t in a hurry.
Fifteen grams is a small amount.

11. The title of a movie, book or magazine requires a singular verb.
        Example: Two Lost Mountains is one of my favourite novels.

12. The expression the number requires a singular verb.
        Example:The number of suicides is increasing.
The expression a number requires a plural verb.
        Example: A number of products are not fit to eat.