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3. A singular noun joined to another singular noun by or or nor takes a singular verb and the
verb agrees with the noun closer to it. For example,

• They or their sister has contacted the manager.

• Neither Hamid nor I am going to help you.

• Either you or he has broken the glass.

If one of the nouns joined by or or nor is plural, the verb used should be plural and the
plural noun should be kept closer to the verb. For example,

• Either you or your assistants have to be blamed for this failure.

• Neither Meera nor her parents were called to attend the meeting.
4. Each, everyone, either, neither, many a are followed by a singular verb. For example,

• Either boy has got experience.

• Neither of us was able to control the situation.

• Each of them has left without permission.

• Everyone loves their country (‘their’ is possible if the gender is not definite)

• Many a teacher loves their profession dearly. (‘their’ is possible if the gender is
not definite)

5. If the two singular nouns joined by and have the word every or each before them, the verb
used here should be singular. For example,

• Every man and every woman present there was happy.

6. A few nouns, though singular in meaning, look plural. Such nouns take a singular verb.
For example,

• Physics is an interesting subject.

• The news has shocked us.

• The innings has been tough for us.

7. The noun means can be used either as a singular or a plural noun. For example,

• Is there any means to come out of the problem?

• The means to sort out the problem are limited.
8. Nouns which seem to be singular but are plural in meaning, take a plural verb. For example,

• The police have been called in.

• Five dozen cost twenty rupees.

• The public are crazy about this actor.

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