Singular subjects require a singular verb, like “is” or “follows.” Essentially, singular subjects are subjects not ending in “s,” unless the subject naturally ends in an “s” like “harness.” Even when singular subjects are connected by “or” or “nor,” a singular verb is still used. As explained by the Purdue Owl, the subjects “each,” “each one,” “either,” “neither,” “everyone,” “everybody,” “anybody,” “anyone,” “nobody,” “somebody,” “someone” and “no one” are singular subjects and therefore need singular verbs. Collective nouns, like “organization” and “group,” use singular verbs. “It” is considered a singular subject and must be followed by a singular verb.
Like singular subjects, plural subjects require a matching verb, like “are” or “follow.” Plural subjects in the present tense tend to end with either an “s” or an “es.” It is important to note that just because a subject ends in “s” does not mean it is plural. Some subjects that appear plural, like “civics,” are actually singular and will use a singular verb. Many plural verbs do not end in “s,” unlike their subject counterparts.
There are, of course, some exceptions to the general rule of plurality. Two singular subjects connected by “and” will need a plural verb. Words like “most,” “any” and “none” are situation dependent; they can be followed by either plural or singular verbs. According to the University of Madison-Wisconsin Writing Center website, when there is both a singular and plural subject in a sentence, the verb agrees with the subject it is placed closest to in the sentence.
Many grammar guides, including the Purdue Owl and the University of Madison-Wisconsin Writing Center, emphasize the lack of effect of phrases and clauses surrounding subjects and verbs on plurality. These additional phrases do not, in most cases, modify the plurality of the subject or the verb. An easy way to avoid trouble with these phrases is to read the sentence as if they don’t exist. That way, you will be sure to conjugate your verbs correctly.