APPLYING THE RULE
What "sounds right" is often not correct. Study the following applications and examples carefully. Notice especially which verb in the parentheses is chosen to match the underlined subject.
Prepositional Phrase
1. A prepositional phrase often comes between the subject and the verb. Identify all the
prepositional phrases before trying to match the subject and verb. Then match the verb to
the subject, not to the preposition's object. Some particularly troublesome prepositions
are the multi–word expressions such as in addition to, as well as, together with, and
along with.
Examples: The car with two flat tires (belong, belongs) to me.
The subject, car, is singular, so it needs a singular verb (belongs).
Joe, as well as Sam and Bob, (works, work) in Alaska.
The subject, Joe, is singular, so it needs a singular verb (works).
Click here for a more in–depth refresher on prepositional phrases.
Joining Words with And
2. Joining two persons or things with the word and adds the persons or the things together to get more
than one, so two or more subjects joined by and are usually plural and need a plural verb.
Example: Mary and John (plays, play) tennis every weekend.
Mary and John equal two people, so the verb has to be plural.
Each and Every
3. Placing the words each or every directly before two or more subjects that are joined by
the word and makes the subject singular, so the sentence needs a singular verb.
Example: Every wheel and gear (is, are) carefully inspected.
The word every or each before the subject cancels out the effect of the word and.
The subject is actually singular, and the sentence needs a singular verb.
Subjects Joined by Or and Nor
4. When two or more subjects are joined by the words or or nor, match the verb to the closest subject.
Examples: Neither Mike nor the boys (is, are) going camping next week.
The subject boys is closer to the verb; boys is plural; the plural verb form is
correct.
Neither the boys nor Mike (is, are) going camping next week.
The subject Mike is closer to the verb; Mike is singular; the verb ending in –s is
correct.
(Is, Are) Mike or the boys going camping next week?
The subject Mike is closer to the verb; Mike is singular; the verb ending in –s is
correct.