Agreement

A Subject and verb

Look at these examples of agreement between the subject (e.g. the window) and the verb (e.g. is).

SINGULAR

The window is open.

She was upset.

It has been raining.

The soup tastes good.

This method doesn't work.

After a singular or an uncountable noun and after he, she or it, we use a singular verb.

PLURAL

The windows are open.

The door and the window are open.

Her eyes were wet.

They have got wet.

The biscuits taste good.

These methods don't work.

After a plural noun or they, and after nouns joined by and, we use a plural verb.

After everyone, something, nothing, etc, we use a singular verb.

Everyone was pleased.

Something is wrong.

But compare these examples with every, each and all.

After a phrase with every or each we use a singular verb.

Every seat has a number. Each door is a different colour.

After all and a plural noun, we use a plural verb.

All the seats have a number.

C One of, a number of and a lot of

After one of ... we use a singular verb.

One of the photos is missing.

After a number of ... we normally use a plural verb.

A number of questions were asked.

After a lot of ... the verb agrees with the noun.

Every year a lot of pollution is created, and a lot of trees are cut down.

When a plural noun comes after any of, either of, neither of or none of, we can use either a singular or a plural verb.

Is/Are any of these old maps worth keeping?

I wonder if either of those alternatives is/are a good idea.

Neither of these cameras works/work properly.

None of the plants has/have grown very much.

After an amount of money, a distance, a weight or a length of time, we normally use a singular verb.

Eight pounds seems a fair price.

A hundred metres isn't far to swim.

Ninety kilos is too heavy for me to lift.

Five minutes doesn't seem long to wait.

We are talking about the amount as a whole, not the individual pounds or metres.