#$ * |C4A1a.1~Make the simple (singular) subject and its verb agree.
More information:
#JNumber of Noun/Verb|C4A1az1.htf~
#JInterrupted by Phrase|C4A1az2.htf~
#JInverted|C4A1az3.htf~
#JVerb with Collective Noun|C4A1az4.htf~
#JVerb with Indefinite Pronoun|C4A1az7.htf~
#BVerb with Compound Subject~
Make the compound (multiple) subject and its verb agree.
#$ *2 |C4A1a.2~And: Subjects joined with #C2and~ take a plural verb, whether the words making up the compound subject are singular or plural.
#C0Our cat and dog ~#C2spend~#C0 a lot of time in the back yard.~
#C0Our cats and dogs ~#C2spend~#C0 a lot of time in the back yard.~
#C0Our cat and dogs ~#C2spend~#C0 a lot of time in the back yard.~
#C0Our cats and dog ~#C2spend~#C0 a lot of time in the back yard.~
#S1
Note that sometimes #C2and~ is used as part of a phrase that functions as a unit to name a single item. In these cases, the subject is not a compound subject.
#C0Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish.~
#C0Stop and Go was the name of the market.~
#$ *3 |C4A1a.3~Or:
Singular subjects joined with #C2or~ or #C2nor~ take a singular verb.
#C0A chair or a stool ~#C2fits~#C0 under the counter.~
#C0Either our cat or our dog ~#C2sits~#C0 on the couch.~
#C0Neither Melissa nor Jody ~#C2plays~#C0 the clarinet.~
#S1
Plural subjects joined with #C2or~ or #C2nor~ take a plural verb.
#C0Jackets or sweaters ~#C2are needed~#C0 in the evenings.~
#C0Either his parents or my parents ~#C2take~#C0 us to the pool.~
#C0Neither our cats nor our dogs ~#C2like~#C0 to have baths.~
#S1
A plural subject and a singular subject joined with #C2or~ or #C2nor~ take a verb that agrees with the closer of the two subjects.
#C0A sports coat or evening clothes ~#C2are~#C0 required for the dinner party.~
#C0Evening clothes or a sports coat ~#C2is~#C0 required for the dinner party.~
#C0Either my parents or my aunt drives us to school.~
#C0Either my aunt or my parents drive us to school.~
#C0Neither the secretaries nor the supervisor was happy about the arrangement.~
#C0Neither the supervisor nor the secretaries were happy about the arrangement.~