Rules

1. Expressions such as "each of", "one of", "neither of",

"every one of", "not one of" and words such as "each",
"every", "none", "anybody", "everybody" and" nobody"
must be followed by verbs in the singular, e.g.
(1) Each of the boys has a toy. (4) Either of the knives cuts
well.
(2) One of the ladies is married. (5) Every one of us knows
that.
(3) Neither of the brothers was present. (6) Not one of the
girls has come
2. A singular subject with attached phrases introduced by
"with" or "like" or "as well as" is followed by a singular
verb, e.g.
(1) The boy, with several others, was late for school.
(2) Alice, like Rose, is tall for her age.
(3) Tom, as well as Fred, rises early in the morning.
3. When a verb has two singular subjects connected by
"and", the verb is plural, e.g.
(1) The cat and the dog were great friends.
(2) The farmer and his wife are jolly people.
4. When a verb has one or more plural subjects connected
by "and", the verb is plural, e.g.
(1) The officer and his men were crossing the field.
(2) The boys and the girls are sure of their work.
5. Two singular subjects separated by "either or", "neither
nor" take a singular verb, e.g.
(l)Either Tom or Dick has lied (2) Neither he nor she writes
well.
6. Plural subjects separated by "either or", "neither nor",
"both and", also "all but", take a plural verb, e.g.
(1) Either the boys or the girls are to blame.
(2) Both Hugh and Ian were to play.
(3) All but James have failed.
(4) All of them but Grace are correct.
7. When one of the subjects connected by "either or",
"neither
nor", etc. is singular and the other plural, the plural subject
is placed next to the verb, which is made plural.
8. When subjects connected by "either or", "neither nor",
etc. are

of different Person, the verb can be made to agree with the

subject mentioned last:
Either Mary or you are to be in the team.
It is better, however, to repeat the verb:
Either Mary is to be in the team or you are.