This week we discuss the rules of thumb for dealing with Compound Subjects, especially in how they relate to last week's topic on Subject-Verb Agreement.

Compound Subjects - Two or more individual nouns or noun phrases connected by "and" , "or", or "nor" to form a single, longer noun phrase.  They can cause confusion with the subject-verb agreement.  Example:  spaghetti and meatballs is a compound subject, but it is also considered a singular unit, and thus gets a singular verb. 

Some Rules of Thumb for Compound Subjects:

1. Subjects joined by "And" use a plural verb. (except as noted above where the compound subject is considered a singular unit such as: spaghetti and meatballs, macaroni and cheese).  Example: Cats and dogs play together.
2. Singular subjects joined by "or" or "nor" use a singular verb. Example: Neither the cat nor the dog likes spiders.
3. Plural subjects joined by "or" or "nor" use a plural verb.  Example: Neither the cats nor the dogs like spiders.
4. Verbs agree with the subject closest to them but only if you have one singular and one plural subject.  Example: The cat and dog plays with the boy.  The cats and dogs play with the boy.

Cats and dogs live together.

• References:
  • Kern, Jara. (2020). The Infographic Guide to Grammar. Adams Media
  • Venolia, Jan. (2001). Write Right! (4th ed.). Ten Speed Press