Use the correct verb – with compound subjects

Key Notes:

What is a Compound Subject?

👉 A compound subject has two or more nouns or pronouns joined by and, or, or nor.
📘 Example:

• Ravi and Meena play football. ⚽

When the Subjects Are Joined by “AND”

✅ Use a plural verb because it refers to more than one person or thing.
📘 Examples:

• John and Mary are good friends. 👩‍🤝‍👨
• The cat and the dog fight sometimes. 🐱🐶

🟢 Rule:

If “and” joins two subjects, use a plural verb.

When the Subjects Are Joined by “OR” or “NOR”

✅ The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
📘 Examples:

• Either Ravi or his friends are coming. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑
• Neither the teachers nor the principal is here. 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫

🟡 Rule:

When “or” or “nor” is used, the verb matches the nearest subject.

Singular and Plural Mix

✅ If one subject is singular and the other is plural, place the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
📘 Example:

• The teacher or the students are planning the event. 🎓

Compound Subjects Referring to the Same Person or Thing

✅ When two nouns joined by “and” refer to the same person or idea, use a singular verb.
📘 Examples:

• Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast. 🍞🧈
• The singer and actor is performing tonight. 🎤🎭

Indefinite Pronouns with Compound Subjects

✅ When using each or every before singular subjects joined by “and”, use a singular verb.
📘 Examples:

• Each boy and girl has a notebook. 📔
• Every pen and pencil is on the desk. ✏️🖊️

Practice Tip

🟣 Always find the real subject of the sentence before choosing the verb.
📘 Example:

• Either the students or the teacher is responsible.

Summary Chart

Connector	Verb Form	Example
and	plural verb	Tom and Jerry are funny. 😂
or / nor	agrees with nearest subject	Either the boys or the girl is ready. 👧
and (same idea)	singular verb	Fish and chips is tasty. 🍟🐟
each / every	singular verb	Every student and teacher was present. 👩‍🏫👨‍🎓

Remember:

✔️ “And” = plural verb (usually)
✔️ “Or/Nor” = verb agrees with the nearer subject
✔️ “Each/Every” = singular verb