2.2 Subject-Verb Agreement

Compound Subjects

A compound subject is formed by two or more nouns and the coordinating conjunctions and, or, or nor. A compound subject can be made of singular subjects, plural subjects, or a combination of singular and plural subjects.

Compound subjects combined with and take a plural verb form.

Two singular subjects: Alicia and Miguel ride their bikes to the beach.

Two plural subjects: The girls and the boys ride their bikes to the beach.

Singular and plural subjects: Alicia and the boys ride their bikes to the beach. 

Compound subjects combined with or and nor are treated separately. The verb must agree with the subject that is nearest to the verb.

Two Singular Subjects: Neither Elizabeth nor Rianna wants to eat at the restaurant.

Two plural subjects: Neither the kids nor the adults want to eat at the restaurant.

Singular and plural subjects: Neither Elizabeth nor the kids want to eat at the restaurant.

Plural and singular subjects: Neither the kids nor Elizabeth wants to eat at the restaurant. 

Two singular subjects: Either you or Jason takes the furniture out of the garage.

Two plural subjects: Either you or the twins take the furniture out of the garage.

Singular and plural subjects: Either Jason or the twins take the furniture out of the garage.

Plural and singular subjects: Either the twins or Jason takes the furniture out of the garage.