There are three persons:
First person- the speaker
Second person-the person spoken to
Third person- the person spoken about
There are two numbers:
Singular- denoting one person or thing
Plural- denoting more than one person or thing
Nouns ending in s are usually plural.
Verbs ending in s are singular.
Singular subjects should be paired with singular verbs and plural subjects should be
paired with plural verbs.
she walks
the book is
they want
Bill, John, and Jane go
1. Compound Subjects
Compound subjects joined by and normally require a plural verb:
Hard work and persistence are required in all rewarding accomplishments.
Where are the pens and paper?
Subjects which include at least two nouns or pronouns connected by and should be paired
with plural verbs.
the manager and the employees are
the cats and the dog run
the man and the woman are
2. Subjects Joined by Or or Nor
When two or more subject are joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the subject
part closest to the verb. This also applies to either/or and neither/nor.
the professor or her students write
the students or their professor writes
the boy or the girl walks
Explanation:
3. Intervening Expressions
Modifying phrases or clauses that come between the subject and the verb do not change
the number of the verb. The number of the verb is determined entirely by the number of
the subject:
The assignment, which they submitted to their professor, was incomplete.
[Assignment is the subject of the verb was].
The new computer classroom, with its many work stations and its sophisticated
technology, fills [not fill] a long-felt need. [Computer classroom is the subject of
the verb fills; the phrase with its many work stations… has nothing to do with the
verb.]
4. Verb Preceding the Subject
It is possible for a verb to come before a subject in a sentence. The rules of agreement
between the subject and the verb remain the same despite the change in order.
There is in many cities a desire to reduce traffic and pollution. [Desire is the
subject of the verb is.]
There are a stapler, two pens, four books, and a writing tablet on the desk.
[Stapler, pens, books and writing tablet are the subjects of the verb are.]
Where are Joan and her daughters going? [Joan and her daughters are subjects of
the verb are going.]
5. Indefinite Pronouns
The indefinite pronouns or adjectives either, neither, and each, as well as compounds
such as everybody, anybody, everyone, and anyone are always singular. None may be
singular or plural. The plural usage is more common.
Each of the cars has its insurance proof in the glove compartment.
Everyone at the meeting was upset over the policies announced.
Every employee, supervisor, and executive reveals the operation of a model
company.
