Subject verb Sgreement

Rule 1.

A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Example: The list of items is/are on the desk.
If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb.

Rule 2. 

If Two singular subjects connected by or, either/ or,  or  neither/ nor require a singular verb.

Examples:
My mother or my father is arriving by flight today.

Neither Ram nor Shyam is present here.

Either Ram or Shyam is helping you in decorations.

Rule 3. If the verb in an sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun close to  or, either/ or, or neither/ nor it.

Examples:
Neither the books nor the serving writing pad is  not in my bag. 

This rule can lead to bumps in the road. For example, if I is one of two (or more) subjects, it could lead to this odd sentence:

 Neither Ram, my friends, nor I am going to the visit.

Or

Neither Ram, I, nor my friends are going to the visit.
OR
Ram, my friends, and I are not going to the visit.

If possible, it's best to reword such grammatically correct but awkward sentences.

Rule 4. 

Use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected with each other.

 A pizza  and a burger are my favourite dishes. 

this rule is not work with compound nouns. But note these exceptions:

Exceptions:
Breaking and entering in this permission is against the law.

The the chowmein and breakfast was charming.

In those sentences, breaking and entering and bed and breakfast are compound nouns.

Rule 5a. 

If subject is separated from the verb by such words as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc. These words are not part of the subject but they are phrases. 

Ignore these words as subject and use a singular verb when the subject is singular.

Examples:
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking

Rule 5b. 

Parentheses are not part of the subject.

 Ram (and his friends) was always welcome.

Rule 6. 

If in sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.

Examples:
There are four trenches to jump.
There is a high trenche to jump.
Here are the keys for making sentences.

Rule 7. Always use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., if they are considered as a unit.

Examples:
Four miles is too far to walk.
Ten years is the big time.
Hundred dollars is a high amount to pay.

Rule 8. 

With words that indicate portions—e.g., a lot, a majority, some, all—Rule 1 given earlier in this section is reversed, and we are guided by the noun after of. 

If the noun after of is singular, use a singular verb If plural, use a plural verb.

Examples:
A lot of the bird has disappeared.
A lot of the birds have disappeared.
All of the  bird is gone.
All of the birds are gone.
Some of the bird is missing.
Some of the birds are missing.