Help Your Subjects and Verbs Get Along

A basic grammar rule tells us that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. As always, however, English presents us with some variations that make us pause. The examples below will help you address potential challenges when trying to match your subjects and verbs.

Use a Singular Verb

With	Example
the following words used as subjects or to modify a subject: each, every, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, much, one, another.	Everyone has an opportunity to win the lottery. Each of the players is eligible for an award.
with some subjects that look plural such as politics, news, measles.	The news about the forthcoming merger is encouraging.
with singular subjects connected by either-or, neither-nor, not only-but. An exception is when one of the pair of subjects is plural, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.	Neither Jill nor Brad plays golf very well. Either Steve or our neighbors walk our dog when we are away. Either our neighbors or Steve walks our dog when we are away.

Use a Singular or Plural Verb

With	Example
the following, depending on the noun to which they refer: all, any, some, one-half, a part of, a percentage of, most, more, none.	Most of our employees have enrolled in the 401k plan. (The verb refers to employees.) A small percentage of the class is still taking the test. (The verb refers to percentage.)
collective nouns and expressions such as time, money, and quantities, depending on their intended meaning.	Six months is the average wait for getting an appointment with Dr. Chang. (The verb refers to wait.) Six months of working out at the gym were well spent. (The verb refers to months.)
organizational names, and be consistent in all other contexts with the name. Note: In business writing the singular verb is preferred because organizations are usually regarded as single entities.	Grimes, Kingston, and O'Hare, Inc. is expanding its territory. The Hampton Investment Group has (or have) an outstanding reputation.

TIP: Remember to use your grammar and style check tool. It will help you identify a subject and verb agreement error, explain the error, and recommend how to rewrite the sentence correctly.