[Contents] [Index] [Back] [Glossary] [ESL] [<<] [>>]

Subject-Verb Agreement: Compound Subjects
With and

When a subject has two or more parts joined by and, treat the subject as plural and use a plural verb form.
  Example His daughter and his son want him to move to Florida.
  Description plural subject / plural verb
 
However, if the two joined parts refer to a single person or thing, use a singular verb.
  Example The restaurant's chef and owner makes good fajitas.
  Description singular subject (one person) / singular verb
 
  Example Fish and chips is a popular dish in England, but it is no longer served wrapped in newspaper.
  Description singular subject / singular verb
 
With each or every

When each or every is used with a subject that has two or more parts joined by and, the verb is singular.
  Example Every toy and game has to be put away.
  Description singular verb = has
 
  Example Each plate and glass looks new.
  Description singular verb = looks
 
With or or nor

With compound subjects joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the part of the subject nearer to it.
  Examples Her sister or her parents plan to visit her next week.

Neither her parents nor her sister drives a station wagon.

[seealso.bmp]
See also
Sentence Problems: Subject-Verb Agreement