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3. When two subjects (one singular and the other plural) are connected by or, neither…nor

or either…or, the verb agrees with the noun or the pronoun closest to it. For example,
• Neither Ben nor the other boys realise that they are being tricked by Tom.

4. When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, the verb agrees with the subject.
For example,

• Fragrance of the blossoms fills the air.

5. In sentences that begin with here is and there is, the subject follows the verb. For example,

• This is the fence that Tom has to whitewash.

6. Abstract nouns and uncountable nouns are considered as singular subjects, so they take a
singular verb. For example,

• He surveys the fence, and all gladness leaves him.

Choose the correct verb to complete these sentences.
1. The prices of stationery increased.
(has/have)

2. The Meenakshi Temple and the Thyagaraja Temple in Tamil Nadu.

(is/are)
3. Neither my sister nor my friends willing to accompany me.

(is/are)
4. The performance of the musicians not satisfactory.

(is/are)
5. There ten musicians in the school band.

(is/are)

6. The furniture in my living room old.
(is/are)

Time to learn new words

Read these words that occur in the story.
• whitewash • doorknob • far-reaching • board fence

Each of these words can be broken up into two words.

white + wash door + knob far + reaching board + fence

When two words are combined to form a new word they are called compound words.

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