1. In sentences beginning with here or there, the subject follows the verb.

Example There are four hurdles to jump. There is a high hurdle to jump. 2. The pronouns who, that and which becomes singular or plural according to the noun directly on front of them so if that noun is singular use a singular verb if it is plural use plural verb. Example Salma is the scientist who writes the report. He is one of the men who do the work. 3. If two infinitives are separated by and they take the plural form of the verb. Example To walk and to chew gums require great skill. To watch and to do homework require great concentration. 4. When gerunds are used as the subject of a sentence they take the singular form of the verb. But when they are linked by and they take the plural form. Example Standing in the water is a bad idea. Swimming in the ocean and playing drums are my hobbies. 5. Some common and proper nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning take a singular verb. Example Linguistics is the study of languages. Mathematics is the least liked subject of students. 6. Some nouns are always plural and should have plural verbs. Example The tweezers are on top of dresser. Grandfathers eyeglasses were lost. 7. Nouns in sets take the singular verb when the noun pair is present but take the plural when the noun pair is absent-regardless of whether one pair or more is being referred to. Example This pair of shoes needs new heels. These shoes need no heels. 8. Arithmetical Operations take the singular form because they are perceived as a single numerical entity. Example Ten divided by two is five. The square root of One Hundred Sixty Nine is thirteen. 9. The quantifiers all/all of, a lot of, lots of and plenty of takes singular verb agreement if the subject head noun is uncountable, but plural verb agreement if the subject head noun is plural. Example A lot of nonsense was published by that incident. A lot of people were present when it happened.

10. Clausal subjects are singular even if the nouns referred to are plural. Example What we need is more textbooks. What they need is some food to eat. 11. Introductory It is always singular. Example It is my sister who works in the hospital. It is my cat which caused the trouble. 12. Generic references with the require plural verb. Example The rich are not always happy. The English are courageous and the French are cowards. 13. The personal Pronouns I and You always use plural verbs. Other singular personal pronouns use singular verbs. Example I dance well. You are my angel. 14. In cases where the subject is preceded by its verb, the verb should still agree with the subject, not with the word, phrase or clause that comes before it. Example On top of the table are three apples. There is a pine tree beside the house. 15. The subject of an interrogative sentence must agree with the verb. Example Does the boy go to rehearsals every day. Do the boys go to rehearsals every day. 16. Concrete nouns always take singular form. Example Love is all we need. Justice should always prevail.